JC / Railbird

Power and Policy

The Trouble With Racing

Speculation, allegations, rumor, and hearsay from Jim Squires in his new book, “Headless Horsemen,” reviewed by Ray Kerrison in the Wall Street Journal:

Mr Squires believes steroids were first used in ­racing in the 1950s. He makes some startling claims about earlier horse-racing champions. He alleges that 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat may have raced on steroids. “There are oldtimers who insist that even the magnificent physical stature of the great ­Secretariat was not all genetic and his early problem settling mares” — that is, breeding — “may have been a by-product of steroids.”

The allegations continue. Mr. Squires writes: ­“Denigrators of the late Frank Whiteley [1915-2008], the surly magician who trained Damascus and Ruffian, ­sincerely believe that his magic came from sniffs of ­cocaine and say they know people who say they saw Whiteley coming out of the stalls brushing the white dust off his hands.”

Fascinating stuff, as I expect Squires’ commentary on the industry power structure to be when I begin reading the book. More to come …

Posted in Industry on July 28, 2009 / Tagged Books, Drugs, Headless Horsemen, Jim Squires, Jockey Club, Power and Policy, Steroids