Blood-Horse

"The Blood-Horse" covers more international racing news than its weekly rival, "Thoroughbred Times," but usually only the group 1 races in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and Dubai. There would be no South American coverage at all if trainer Ron McAnally didn't take the occasional trip down south and skim off the cream of the crop, e.g. Candy Ride and Pasaena, and return triumphant to California.

The 'stakes winners' section in "The Blood Horse" is much more readable than the stakes results in "Thoroughbred Times." All of the graded stakes are covered in depth. The stakes conditions are listed, along with the order of finish. There are several paragraphs on the winner and (usually) his/her breeding background, a complete race record of the winner, a four-generation pedigree, the sire's racing and breeding statistics, and the dam's racing, breeding, and sales statistics. This is a very satisfying ten or so pages for those of us that like to pore over Thoroughbred genealogies. Non-graded stakes are covered in less detail.

Steve Haskin, one of the best writers in the Thoroughbred business has a weekly column, usually on New York stakes results, although in my most current issue his byline is attached to "This Businessman is Special," an article on trainer Todd Pletcher who "recently shattered Syl Veitch's all-time record for victories at a Saratoga meeting." Haskin also does a long-running series on the Kentucky Derby contenders each spring.

(Speaking of Todd Pletcher, why do so many good Thoroughbred trainers seem to have prematurely white hair? Does it come from all those photo finishes, or from all of those promising young horses who never do anything on the track?)

Along with the lead article on Pletcher, the 09/13/2003 issue of this magazine has features on the installation of slot machines at Louisiana Downs, news and analysis of several Fall yearling sales, "Triple Crown Showdown"--a look back at the Marlboro Cup that pitted Seattle Slew against Affirmed, and an article on leading owner Michael Gill. Shorter 'dispatches' cover such topics as the California recall election (evidently Governor Gray Davis has vetoed several bills of interest to Thoroughbred owners), and the recently released book, "Why America Slept" that ties a deceased Saudi Thoroughbred owner with the 9/11 terrorists.

Here is a sampling of some of the standard lists/departments in each issue of "The Blood-Horse:" "Healthwatch;" "Leading Sires of 2003;" "Leading Freshman Sires;" "Stud News;" "What's Going on Here" and "Final Turn" (editorials); "Sales Results;" and "Newcomers."

This weekly magazine is printed on slick paper and the photos (even the ones in the advertisements) are gorgeous. Subscribers also get lots of extra reading material, including special Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup issues, the yearly Stallion Registry, and "Stakes Conditions."

For living in a state where finding someone who enjoys horse racing as much as I do is about as easy as trying to find a needle in a haystack. This magazine has helped me stay in touch with racing around the country. It tells me the results of each weeks races, and makes it easy to follow a horse and trainer. I have attempted to read The Thoroughbred Times on a few occassions, and perhaps its just the size of the magazine which has kept me from ever fully reading an issue. However, every issue of The Blood-Horse I can get my hands on, I have read cover to cover.

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The Blood Horse is an absolute must for race horse fans. The coverage of all major stake and prep races is beyond compare. The photography is wonderful! I especially like the coverage of all the breeders cup and triple crown races. The extras included with the subscription are a plus, such as the book of sires that is published once a year with stud fees and progency. Every issue has a feature articule that covers a different aspect of racing. The best $90 you will ever spend on a magazine subscription. A must if you own or are thinking of owning a race horse.

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While this is one of only a few periodicals on thoroughbreds still being published, it is a quality product in its own right.

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If you have any interest at all about Thoroughbred racing & breeding, this weekly magazine is for you.

The Blood-Horse has an excellent layout, beginning with several pages of photos and general interest items that are in a newspaper-styled format. The magazine then drives into several weekly features, including sire listings for the year and an editorial, along with a lengthy story that covers one segment of the industry.

The recaps from tracks are extensive, with an emphasis on the breeding angle. The last-page editorial is hit-and-miss, but more times than not interesting.

Magazine subscribers are also updated through a daily, on-line service. There are several additional magazines/books that come with the subscription.

With Thoroughbred coverage almost non-existent in other sports publications, The Blood-Horse is a fantastic source from gate-to-wire.