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Stud: adventures in breeding
Sex. Money. Horses.Every year, on Valentine's Day, the great Thoroughbred farms open their breeding sheds and begin their primary business. For the next one hundred and fifty days, the cries of stallions and the vigorous encouragement of their handlers echo through breeding country, from the gentle hills of Kentucky to the rich valleys of California. Stud takes us into this strange and seductive world of horse breeding. We meet the world's leading sire, Storm Cat, the Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, and a nearly unmanageable colt, Devil Begone, who has found peace and prosperity on the banks of the Rio Grande servicing desert mares like Patty O'Furniture. Cheap stud, top stud, old stud, wild stud, from the Hall of Fame horse to the harem stallion with his feral herd, Stud looks at intimate acts in idyllic settings and the billion-dollar business behind them. Author Kevin Conley is an editor at The New Yorker . His writing has appeared in the New York Times Magazine , Sports Illustrated , and The New Yorker . He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Amy, and their two children, Sara and Max.
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First published March 26, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 27, 2008
This book dragged and dragged, mostly because I don't think it was intended to be read by someone who has been reading The Blood-Horse for 14 years. I found his general tone - sort of a *wink-wink*, heh heh middle-school amusement - irritating and somewhat condescending, as though he intended racing neophytes to read this and giggle a little at how silly he thinks it all is. There are many, many good books, introductory and thorough, on the sport, and reading one that is both disjointed and not particularly informative isn't that worthwhile to me.
Furthermore, I found some of his assertions to be a little shaky, if not downright fallacious. For example, he writes:
"In trotting, the opposite legs (right front and back left, left front and back right) work together in a gait that's natural in a dog but takes some training for a horse . . . In pacing, the legs on one side of the body move together, and the horse runs with a pretty, scissor step." (p 121)
Now, I'm no expert in Standardbreds, but I *have* ridden horses for a while, and I've never heard of a trot not being a natural gait. In addition, I *have* read about training pacers, which involves a strap connecting the legs on each side, which teaches the horse to move those legs together (wikipedia says that's actually a misconception of harness racing). If I'm wrong, mea culpa, but this just sounds downright foolish. However, if he means to say that pacing is a truer gait in *Standardbred* horses, rather than *all* horses, shame on his editor. But correct me if I'm the wrong one here.
On the bright side, Conley did bother to interview an interesting assortment of breeders, and the sections where he directly quotes them are interesting at the least, enlightening at best. If only he had limited himself to that...it's the parts where he takes it upon himself to interpret what he sees for the first time that he leaves me unimpressed.
Furthermore, I found some of his assertions to be a little shaky, if not downright fallacious. For example, he writes:
"In trotting, the opposite legs (right front and back left, left front and back right) work together in a gait that's natural in a dog but takes some training for a horse . . . In pacing, the legs on one side of the body move together, and the horse runs with a pretty, scissor step." (p 121)
Now, I'm no expert in Standardbreds, but I *have* ridden horses for a while, and I've never heard of a trot not being a natural gait. In addition, I *have* read about training pacers, which involves a strap connecting the legs on each side, which teaches the horse to move those legs together (wikipedia says that's actually a misconception of harness racing). If I'm wrong, mea culpa, but this just sounds downright foolish. However, if he means to say that pacing is a truer gait in *Standardbred* horses, rather than *all* horses, shame on his editor. But correct me if I'm the wrong one here.
On the bright side, Conley did bother to interview an interesting assortment of breeders, and the sections where he directly quotes them are interesting at the least, enlightening at best. If only he had limited himself to that...it's the parts where he takes it upon himself to interpret what he sees for the first time that he leaves me unimpressed.
May 17, 2009
Fun, light read about life on a bunch of different stud farms. Aimed for the non-enthusiast, but I still learned a few things and enjoyed it.
April 18, 2021
Everything you never wanted to know about Thoroughbred horse breeding...
January 31, 2022
Enjoyed it a lot, but this dude is a little too freaked out by horses to be an effective horse writer.
July 24, 2024
This is an absolutely brilliant look at what the American race horse breeding industry was like in 2001. Although it focuses on Thoroughbreds, there is a revealing chapter on Standardbred breeding at the nation's leading Standardbred stud farm, Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania. The contrast between how the horses are bred is startling.
The book was written for people who don't know much about racing, but does not go into any long explanations of the basics that would normally bore someone like me who has been following racing on and off since the first race I ever saw, a race that's mentioned here, Exceller beating Seattle Slew. Even I learned a lot about breeding, this usually hidden side of racing.
I did know that racing a horse is secondary to breeding him or her. The money is in breeding, in stallion fees and sales of the offspring. Racehorses devalue worse than cars. Most never recoup their astronomical price as yearlings. Conley gives statistics, but doesn't bog the prose down with them. He selects prime examples to make his points, such as relating the story of Snaafi Dancer. As a yearling, he cost $10.2 million. He never raced and turned out to be mostly sterile.
Conley goes to Thoroughbred stud farms in Kentucky, California, and a horrible place in New Mexico. He finishes his book by looking at the lives and herd dynamics of semi-feral Shetland ponies in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes from where I live. The herd still exists. Shows you how dumb people are, always having to mess up a good thing.
Racing is stupid and fucked up. But it makes for great reading. The best parts of the book were descriptions of the quirks of individual horses. That amazing horse, Seattle Slew, has the most memorable moments. He ruled the roost at Three Chimneys for over 15 years. He literally stared other stallions into submission, including then newly retired Silver Charm.
The cover portrait is of the mighty Storm Cat, leading Thoroughbred stallion at the time. He is also featured in the book. There are many stallions featured, but these are probably the most famous.
The breeding industry has changed considerably since this was published. Top stallions covered sixty mares a year. Now, they cover over 200. Many stallions, even Kentucky Derby winners, get zero mares because they've all gone to a handful of whatever stallions are fashionable at the time.
Small breeding operations like those described in the book are also on the way out. The sport began by the extremely wealthy and it will end that way. Conley does not go into detail about the fate of most race horses, but he does mention slaughterhouses.
My paperback is the UK edition, although the cover shown here on Goodreads is an American one. There was one egregious error -- Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, not 1974. I don't know if this is in all of the editions.
The book was written for people who don't know much about racing, but does not go into any long explanations of the basics that would normally bore someone like me who has been following racing on and off since the first race I ever saw, a race that's mentioned here, Exceller beating Seattle Slew. Even I learned a lot about breeding, this usually hidden side of racing.
I did know that racing a horse is secondary to breeding him or her. The money is in breeding, in stallion fees and sales of the offspring. Racehorses devalue worse than cars. Most never recoup their astronomical price as yearlings. Conley gives statistics, but doesn't bog the prose down with them. He selects prime examples to make his points, such as relating the story of Snaafi Dancer. As a yearling, he cost $10.2 million. He never raced and turned out to be mostly sterile.
Conley goes to Thoroughbred stud farms in Kentucky, California, and a horrible place in New Mexico. He finishes his book by looking at the lives and herd dynamics of semi-feral Shetland ponies in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes from where I live. The herd still exists. Shows you how dumb people are, always having to mess up a good thing.
Racing is stupid and fucked up. But it makes for great reading. The best parts of the book were descriptions of the quirks of individual horses. That amazing horse, Seattle Slew, has the most memorable moments. He ruled the roost at Three Chimneys for over 15 years. He literally stared other stallions into submission, including then newly retired Silver Charm.
The cover portrait is of the mighty Storm Cat, leading Thoroughbred stallion at the time. He is also featured in the book. There are many stallions featured, but these are probably the most famous.
The breeding industry has changed considerably since this was published. Top stallions covered sixty mares a year. Now, they cover over 200. Many stallions, even Kentucky Derby winners, get zero mares because they've all gone to a handful of whatever stallions are fashionable at the time.
Small breeding operations like those described in the book are also on the way out. The sport began by the extremely wealthy and it will end that way. Conley does not go into detail about the fate of most race horses, but he does mention slaughterhouses.
My paperback is the UK edition, although the cover shown here on Goodreads is an American one. There was one egregious error -- Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, not 1974. I don't know if this is in all of the editions.
July 13, 2016
Before I began the book: I am not sure what I will encounter herein, but I hope to learn more details before we return to Lexington, KY (horse area) with time to visit some farms. Growing up with horses and ponies, I have a rudimentary knowledge of the subject matter.
After I finished the book: I enjoyed this book for its' Kentuckian perceptions, information and history. Most of the stories are centered on Thoroughbred breeding farms. This is great insight for visiting those farms. The stories show the different attitudes and personalities of the farms, owners, and horses... in and around 2000-2001. I had to dust off the book when I finally picked it up to read.
After I finished the book: I enjoyed this book for its' Kentuckian perceptions, information and history. Most of the stories are centered on Thoroughbred breeding farms. This is great insight for visiting those farms. The stories show the different attitudes and personalities of the farms, owners, and horses... in and around 2000-2001. I had to dust off the book when I finally picked it up to read.
October 14, 2008
Entertaining and informative, but a bit too much unexplained horse-lingo for a layperson. I especially liked how Conley explored several different types of breeding operations, not just the standard thoroughbred, high-money/high stakes. This gave the book more depth and interest.
August 3, 2018
The title says it all, STUD ADVENTURES IN BREEDING, and that is exactly what it is about. Kevin Conley does a fabulous job of covering the industry from top to bottom(no pun intended). I thank him for the insight. Would like to ask him how things have changed as of today(2018), especially Running Horse Farm. Mr. Conley covers a lot of ground in such a short book. For the reviewers that were snooty about Kevin Conley's book, come to Kentucky and tour the farms but make sure to stop at our fabulous bourbon distilleries as well so you can mellow out.
July 8, 2025
"Stud: Adventures in Breeding" is a multi-faceted look at breeding as part of the racing horse's life. This is a breezy book, light-hearted but still informative, that covers everything from the geography of breeding (KY vs. California farms), philosophies of pedigree, the different rules between sports, the economics of breeding, fertility issues, and more.
What's iffier: The book comes to a rather abrupt end and its last chapter has some interesting medical revelations but seems not fully developed.
What's iffier: The book comes to a rather abrupt end and its last chapter has some interesting medical revelations but seems not fully developed.
August 13, 2017
As I have alwasy been passionate about horses I found the book interesting. However, the sex lives of the stallions was too much! Once you have read it once, then you have read it one hundred times!
June 18, 2018
Still interesting years after its publication. As a huge fan of Seattle Slew from his 1976 Champagne Stakes win, I really appreciated the story of his return to the stud barn after his 2000 surgery, and the hilarious lack of privacy. The stud is a business in the world of the thoroughbred.
May 22, 2018
Tidbits of information about the breeding of Thoroughbreds. Told by a non-horseman with quirky analogies. Made for an amusing read.
August 22, 2020
so dry and made me laugh
January 11, 2023
Brilliantly written. Funny. Insightful. This is the most fun you'll ever have learning about horse semen and endowment.
April 21, 2025
I had to read this for a class. Far too much detail about the choreography of literal horse sex. We did not need that chapter about FedEx.
March 21, 2017
It was interesting to read this book from Conley's perspective, and I believe that he intended it to be a sort of light-read, non-fiction primer about the Thoroughbred industry for people who are curious, but not willing to go deep into the subject of breeding racehorses.
From my perspective of over 15 years working at the track, with supplemental visits to Lexington KY to visit places like Claiborne Farm it seemed just a tad snotty and incredulous. Yes, these are athletes, just like humans, and they deserve the red carpet treatment.....in fact, I believe all horses deserve it, but only the adored companion animals and expensive professionals ever receive it.
The main focus of this book was stallions. Those of us who are truly dedicated to breeding Thoroughbreds appreciate the good studs for what they are, but.......the mare is the most important equation in producing quality offspring. Finding an excellent stallion is pretty easy, but where do we find those great boss mares who conceive easily, gestate reliably, deliver with no complications and are attentive and deeply involved in raising their foals? A good mama is the cornerstone of your breeding program and selecting the right stallion for the desired offspring is not that complicated. Stallions get all the attention, because they are so expensive and glamorous.
By the way, I was very impressed by 2010 Breeders Cup Classic winner, Blame. A wise breeder would buy nice Blame fillies at good prices; I think he will be a leading broodmare sire in the future.
From my perspective of over 15 years working at the track, with supplemental visits to Lexington KY to visit places like Claiborne Farm it seemed just a tad snotty and incredulous. Yes, these are athletes, just like humans, and they deserve the red carpet treatment.....in fact, I believe all horses deserve it, but only the adored companion animals and expensive professionals ever receive it.
The main focus of this book was stallions. Those of us who are truly dedicated to breeding Thoroughbreds appreciate the good studs for what they are, but.......the mare is the most important equation in producing quality offspring. Finding an excellent stallion is pretty easy, but where do we find those great boss mares who conceive easily, gestate reliably, deliver with no complications and are attentive and deeply involved in raising their foals? A good mama is the cornerstone of your breeding program and selecting the right stallion for the desired offspring is not that complicated. Stallions get all the attention, because they are so expensive and glamorous.
By the way, I was very impressed by 2010 Breeders Cup Classic winner, Blame. A wise breeder would buy nice Blame fillies at good prices; I think he will be a leading broodmare sire in the future.
March 19, 2008
Kevin Conley, $tud: Adventures in Breeding (Bloomsbury, 2002)
“The most expensive thirty seconds in sports,” the single line on the back of the book tells us, pointedly printed over the hindquarters part of a full-jacket photograph of Storm Cat, the most expensive American sire in history. New Yorker writer Kevin Conley takes us on a tour through the wild, weird world of horse breeding (mostly Thoroughbred, but a chapter is devoted to Standardbreds as well), and we get to meet a lot of very interesting people along the way, as well as the horses themselves. For wildness and weirdness, it can't be beat, as far as horse books I've read go; for writing, it's a bit different. I rush to say I may be affected by my recent reading here. I just finished up Bill Barich's most recent treatise on the racing world, and pretty much any racing writer would be hard-pressed to fill Barich's estimable writing slippers; everything else reads like Edward D. Wood, Jr., compared to Evelyn Waugh. Still, if you're interested in what goes on behind the camera (as it were) in the racing world, you could do a lot worse than to check out Conley's book. ***
“The most expensive thirty seconds in sports,” the single line on the back of the book tells us, pointedly printed over the hindquarters part of a full-jacket photograph of Storm Cat, the most expensive American sire in history. New Yorker writer Kevin Conley takes us on a tour through the wild, weird world of horse breeding (mostly Thoroughbred, but a chapter is devoted to Standardbreds as well), and we get to meet a lot of very interesting people along the way, as well as the horses themselves. For wildness and weirdness, it can't be beat, as far as horse books I've read go; for writing, it's a bit different. I rush to say I may be affected by my recent reading here. I just finished up Bill Barich's most recent treatise on the racing world, and pretty much any racing writer would be hard-pressed to fill Barich's estimable writing slippers; everything else reads like Edward D. Wood, Jr., compared to Evelyn Waugh. Still, if you're interested in what goes on behind the camera (as it were) in the racing world, you could do a lot worse than to check out Conley's book. ***
July 24, 2010
I got this book because I didn't know much about racehorses once they left the track, what actually happens. This--in a way both unvarnished and often very, very funny--gives insight into many aspects of the breeding business, for Thoroughbreds but also for other breeds. It's an eye opening read; I learned a lot. I also could not put it down because it was a very enjoyable read as well.
Rated: A+
Rated: A+
August 11, 2014
Excellent discussion of the Thoroughbred racing industry and the incredible numbers that go into stud fees. There is also a great highlight between East Coast and West Coast farms and a further comparison between Thoroughbred racers and Standardbred racers and how all of these different studs are treated.
August 1, 2010
Sunday Telegraph says "Kevin Conley is the Bill Bryson of the breeding shed." An engaging look at thoroughbred farms and their breeding sheds. If you're mildly interested in horse racing, this will seal the deal because it's so damn interesting.
October 27, 2013
The information was interesting but I HATED the writing style: too many parentheses and interjections. Did not flow nicely or smoothly, when constantly interrupted with dashes, dashes and more dashes.
January 5, 2025
A brilliant insight into the breeding industry. It was extremely interesting and very well written. I definitely recommend reading this book if you want an understanding of what happens to great racehorses when they retire to stud.
August 29, 2008
Conley answered a lot of questions I had about the business of horse breeding...and it is a multi-million dollar business! I found this book fascinating.
December 19, 2008
If you like thoroughbred pedigrees this book is for you!
August 6, 2009
For those looking for insight into the horse racing industry beyond the popular Seabiscuit narrative should try Kevin Conley's tale of one of the most successful stallions of all-time.
August 7, 2011
A decent book, but lacking a good story line. Interesting if you are in the horse breeding business.
July 4, 2013
A look into the world of Thoroughbred stallions. It is humorous and intriguing. One of my favorite reads. If you love horses and love Thoroughbreds this is a must read.
January 23, 2014
bad writing, interesting subject. decided not to send it to Jane
November 19, 2014
I finally got through this book! It's not a difficult read, just had too much going on to find time to read. This is an interesting and entertaining look at the horse breeding industry and lineages.
December 7, 2015
Fascinating look into another world and lifestyle behind the scenes of racing horses
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews