Secretariat

By: Raymond G. Woolfe Jr.

Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Secretariat was the best-known and most beloved racehorse of the twentieth century. In 1973, his legacy was permanently etched into the consciousness of the world when he won the Triple Crown. Here, Raymond G. Woolfe Jr. tells the story of Secretariat from the coin toss that sent him to Helen "Penny" Chenery to his burial at Claiborne Farm, making this the definitive volume for fans of the horse and the sport of horseracing.

Includes the bonus story "Horse of the Century", narrated by Win Elliot and featuring interviews with key players in Secretariat's career, plus recordings of all the great race calls. A true audio treat for all Secretariat lovers.

©2001 Raymond G. Woolfe, Jr. (P)2022 Royal Wave Media, Inc.

Delightful, Exciting, Feel Good

TBH I chose “Secretariat” off handedly as it is about the length I was looking for (not hours and hours) and is about a horse. I really didn’t know much about the drama of Secretariat except that he was a Triple Crown winner who captured the hearts and psyche of America but holy smokes, I am a fan now, too! This story captures the racing world dynamics as well as the complex characters-including the horses’ distinct personalities- in a way that anyone can understand and appreciate. I really loved the narrator’s voice and the way he could build up a scene or reflect the tenderness being described. I also thought the use of the actual racing broadcasts between chapters added to feeling a part of the excitement (and disappointments).

All in all, “Secretariat” was a delight. It brought many “driveway” moments and I have found myself missing Penny, Lucien, Eddie, and, of course, Rive Ridge and Secretariat a week after finishing. Enjoy!

A Great Ride!

Hearing the story of Secretariat in the words of track veteran Raymond G. Woolfe, with his extensive knowledge of the sport of horse racing, and his close proximity to the people involved in the care, training, and performance of this incredible horse, was an informative, transporting, and thrilling experience. My partner and I listened to this book while traveling together, and it was truly a highlight of an otherwise fantastic trip! It is a great story enhanced by the voice of a great storyteller, gifted in the art of description, and with a keen attention to detail.

The story takes the listener on a first hand journey through the life of Secretariat from (before) his birth, through his spectacular racing career, his retirement at stud, and his continued legacy as a sire. Along the way the listener is treated to behind the scenes views of the farms and tracks where the story unfolds, a “who’s who” of the racing scene at the time from the decision makers to the jockeys and those working the backsides, and an exploration of the cultural context and media frenzy that contributed to Secretariat becoming such a popular American icon.

It is a spectacular tale, told without hyperbole, in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. My partner, who does not come from an equestrian background, was thoroughly fascinated and engaged.

We also enjoyed the bonus feature “Secretariat, Horse of the Century” (originally a vinyl LP produced in the early 70’s). It was fun to hear the sportscasting style of the time, including many of the original race calls, and it was delightful to hear clips of the voices of some of the people in Secretariat’s inner circle, including his exercise rider Charley Davis, his devoted groom Eddy Sweat, and gracious owner Penny Chenery.

We enjoyed it so much we immediately ordered a copy of the original book featuring over 200 photographs by the author!

Loved It!

What a well told tale of the life of Secretariat and his people! Raymond Woolfe wonderfully captured so many details about this extraordinary athlete. The narration by Tim Dixon was great. I've enjoyed him in other audible books. I was left feeling sad that I never got to see Secretariat run live, but this story brought me pretty close. I had moments when I felt like I was there. Bravo!

Riveting book, beautifully read!

I went on to watch all the races on YouTube. What a glorious story! The narrator was brilliant. I will listen to this again.

Masterpiece!

The pictures painted by the author's words are absolutely captivating. Listening to this audiobook was like having a backstage pass to the life of the legendary Secretariat. The bonus tracks were a delicious icing on the cake. Highly recommend!