Book
From AlexBrownRacing
Book Project. I had planned to write a book. I have authorization from the Jacksons to do so. I have not been successful in getting a publishing deal. In the meantime, I am going to use this space to develop the content.
Working Title: Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy.
Chapter Outline.
Contents |
Chapter 1: Barbaro and Barbaro
Why was Barbaro so special? I investigate what it was about Barbaro that captured the imagination of the public at large. I will begin with his race record and establish that he was a horse of a kind we had not seen for many years (since Secretariat, 1973). I will then discuss other characteristics that became apparent during his stay at The New Bolton Center. I will draw from interviews with Michael Matz, Peter Brette, Dr. Richardson and Gretchen and Roy Jackson.
I will then highlight my experiences with Barbaro, expanding on my visits with Barbaro at New Bolton Center and my observations of Barbaro training at Fair Hill. These experiences will be used to help me further identify how Barbaro affected those around him and Fans of Barbaro.
Chapter 2: Team Barbaro
I will explore each of the main characters who are Team Barbaro. They are: Michael Matz, Peter Brette, Dr. Kathy Anderson, Dr. Dean Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Edgar Prado and Eduardo Hernandez. I will highlight the character of these people, as well as their observations regarding Barbaro, via interviews. I have direct access to each member of Team Barbaro. I plan to characterize the unique qualities of those who surrounded Barbaro and make the case that this was a part of the uniqueness of Barbaro himself and a cause for the Barbaro effect and subsequent emergence of Fans of Barbaro.
Chapter 3: Tim Woolley Racing
Tim Woolley is a racehorse trainer at Fair Hill. I worked for Tim as an exercise rider and managed his web-site Tim Woolley Racing (TWR). I will document how TWR became “Barbaro central”, the connector between Barbaro, Team Barbaro and what emerged as the group labeled “Fans of Barbaro”. I will discuss a little history of TWR, the decision to follow Barbaro and then how it became the place for all Barbaro news. Some of this will relate to marketing tactics as well as communication ideas. I will also note the growth of TWR after Barbaro’s passing, that is related to the continued growth of Fans of Barbaro in pursuit of Barbaro’s legacy. Finally I will discuss the transformation to Alex Brown Racing (ABR).
Chapter 4: Fans of Barbaro
I will describe how Fans of Barbaro (FOB) has emerged. Who FOBs are and what is unique about this group. I will explore the growth pains of this group and some of the management issues. There will be some interesting leadership content in this chapter. I will include FOB interviews, identify the ‘who and why’ of FOB and what it is about Barbaro that affected them. This will tie in with Chapter 1. I will also explore the impact of FOBs. I will highlight FOBs efforts regarding saving horses from slaughter (money raised, horses saved, which is over $900,000 and 2,300 at this point). I will cite media examples that have covered Fans of Barbaro (Washington Post, ESPN and Seattle Times).
I will explain why this book does not focus on Laminitis Research (non controversial, no one can argue it is not important to cure this wicked disease) but focuses on horse rescue, horse slaughter and horse racing issues, which are controversial. I will also note Barbaro’s impact on New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania and Veterinary medicine in general.
Chapter 5: Horse Rescue
I will survey the horse rescue industry, establish Fans of Barbaro’s impact on this industry and the need for horse rescue within the horse racing industry. I will highlight the different types of rescues and how each functions, this will include their interaction with horses coming directly from the racetracks. I will examine why the horse racing industry appears ambivalent to the plight of horses which no longer serve the industry. I will highlight firsthand case studies, horses rescued that were on their way to slaughter. I will examine the path a horse takes from the racetrack to the slaughterhouse.
I will explore why horse rescues compete with each other, despite there being an abundance of horses that need rescuing. I will identify the fundamental philosophical issues that horse rescues have difficulty with: to purchase at auction versus supporting kill buyers; guaranteeing the forever life of a rescued horse versus the rescue itself; hoarders; private versus non-profit rescues.
Chapter 6: Horse Slaughter
I will establish why the horse slaughter issue is important to FOBs and the racing industry’s apparent ambivalence to the issue. I will discuss the pros and cons of horse slaughter. I will note the apparent lack of knowledge among horsemen. I will highlight the process of government and working against a professional lobby. I will note the development of Americans Against Horse Slaughter. This chapter will be impacted by the success or not of the federal bills this year and will essentially document what occurred from 2006 to 2008 with respect to horse slaughter legislation at both the state and federal levels.
We currently have no domsectic slaughter, however passing the anti slaughter bills at the Federal level is critical as this will result in the end of transport to slaughter making it illegal to not only slaughter horses within the US but to ship horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. FOBs direct impact with state and federal lobbying will be addressed, as well as tactics developed including the creation of state groups, daily strategies and call lists.
Chapter 7: Horse Racing
I will establish that horse racing in the US is a dying sport while horse racing thrives in other locations, including Europe, Asia and Australasia. I will discuss the problems horse racing faces in the US, many of these problems have been highlighted by the scrutiny of the Barbaro effect. I will establish why each is a problem, explore the root causes to each of the problems and determine what would need to happen in order to fix each of the problems. The problems that will be addressed are: a. Lack of central governance, b. claiming race system, c. whip rule, d. escalating drugs / steroids, e. sales issues, f. track surfaces, g. race track training issues, h. early retirement and breeding issues, i. mega owners and mega stables, j. marketing of horse racing.
Chapter 8: Epilogue Nicanor
Things were good (Seabiscuit, Secretariat), things can be good (Barbaro). How can we shift back to the glory of the sport of horseracing. Make it about the horse.
I will also expand on my stay in Kentucky (working at Keeneland) where horse racing is a major sport. Horseracing is covered by the local media, horseracing fans flock to the races and the horses and horsemen are top class.
Appendix: First Eight Weeks at New Bolton Center
Barbaro's first eight weeks at New Bolton Center, as reported on Timwoolleyracing.com
These updates not only provide a very detailed summary of Barbaro's first eight weeks at New Bolton Center, but they also served as the platform that created Fans of Barbaro.
Week1 Sunday May 21 - Saturday May 27
Week2 Sunday May 28 - Saturday June 3
Week3 Sunday June 4 - Saturday June 10
Week4 Sunday June 11 - Saturday June 17
Week5 Sunday June 18 - Saturday June 24
Week6 Sunday June 25 - Saturday July 1
Week7 Sunday July 2 - Saturday July 8
Week8 Sunday July 9 - Saturday July 15
Week9 Sunday July 16 - Saturday July 22
Feedback: Barbaro's First Eight Weeks at NBC
