Bred to Win

by William Kinsolving

The story of an astonishing woman, Annie Grebauer, and the two passions of her life: one, Sam Cumberland, the scion of one of the America's greatest racing families; the other the magnificent thoroughbreds she and Sam breed and race in competition with each other.

A captivating tale of tragedy and triumph.

Genres: Fiction, Horses

659 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1990

About the author

After graduating from Stanford, William Kinsolving began his professional life onstage—first at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, playing Richard II, then at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Returning to New York, he acted under-, off-, and on Broadway and performed or directed at Stratford (CT), Harvard, Dartmouth, Café La Mama, and the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where he received the San Francisco Chronicle’s Best Actor of the Year award.
He wrote his first play backstage, earning a Ford Foundation Playwriting Grant and a production at the Stratford Ontario Shakespeare Festival. That success led to decades of work as a screenwriter and script doctor for every major film studio in Los Angeles, London, and Rome—ultimately contributing to more than fifty films.

Kinsolving later turned to fiction, publishing five novels, including a New York Times bestseller and multiple Literary Guild Main Selections. When traditional publishing contracted, he returned to playwriting, with new work presented in theatres across the country. His musical That Week with the Bachs premiered in 2023 at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral.

Compelled by the tectonic shifts in America today, Kinsolving returned to another time in American history when its social and cultural foundations were rumbling: The Twenties, and a love story that led to a trial that perforated the facades of privilege, sex, race and wealth: Black and White and Read All Over.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books of all time. I couldnt put it down, if you like the horse industry you will love this book.

[Teresa A. Mauk · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorites - I go back and re-read it from time to time.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me by an acquaintance at a party, at her house. She was pregnant then. I was 19 years old at the time and was extremely shy, acting like a wall flower at the party.

The very next day I started to read this book, I was hooked. So hooked I could not put the book down. The only time I had to put this book down was when I had to go to work and university. Every night, those characters Annie Grebeaur, Sam Cumberland, Winnie, Charlie Dell, and the scumbag Phil Angelo, even Annie's jack ass brothers - all gave me company. Actually, even Annie's son, and the German woman that she saved one night.

This book is both inspirational and educational at the same time. There so many things about horse racing, horse-breeding, and training that I did not understand or even know exist. The part where Annie's son cloned three horses "X,Y,Z" was a very clever twist.

My only criticism is that, why didn't Sam and Annie end up marrying each other? After all what she'd been through and two husbands later - she should have ended up with Sam.

I don't know how and why, but Annie's character in the book, her story, her motherhood, truly inspired me. Although, my love of horses and horse racing ended when I left Hong Kong in 2007, I never stopped thinking about this book. I used to be heavily involved in horse racing in Hong Kong. My family owned a share of a horse that ran in Happy Valley every weekend. I was very young then and did not understand how the world of horse racing is ran.

I lost the very copy that acquaintance of mine gave me. So, I bought my own copy from Amazon. This one was a hardcover. The one that was given to me was paperback, and with different graphics.

Anyway, I really love this book. I read and re-read for about 3 times now. Cover to cover.

I recommend to everyone.

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 566 pages, this book is way too long. It had some interesting parts, but I felt it could have and SHOULD have ended way sooner than it actually did. Slightly depressing as well.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The saga-esque storyline, the romance, and the incredible detail that the author goes into regarding the world of thoroughbred racing combine to make this one of my favourites.

[Joline Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I read this book I was 14, probably not meant for that age. It follows the life of a teen girl who is raised by her father after her mother had died. She has two brothers who molest her. One night she runs away and gains work at a race track. Her life gets better, mostly from there as she moves up the ranks of the track hierarchy from a stable hand to a rich owner. Filled with intimacy, love and sadness. This book is definitely one for those who love horses as well as a story about the downtrodden rising up.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. One of my favourite reads over and over. Great characters and captivating story.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been looking for a book about thoroughbred horse racing, particularly that involved The Kentucky Derby. This book more than met my wishes! I learned a lot about horses in general, the racing world, their training, etc. And the book also had great romance and mystery. Hated to see it end.

[Jinjer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot but none of his other books sound interesting.

[Rachel Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover on this book does not do it justice, since it is SUCH A GREAT BOOK. Amazing story of a woman who overcomes the odds to build a racing empire.

[Zahrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was 12. My mom panicked when she first saw me reading it :P I have read it about 5 times since and I fall in love with the story every time. I love to complexity and the evolution of the characters and that, because of the timeline of the book, you get such a complete story. The only thing I can compare this to is Memoirs of a Geisha, but it took me years to finally finish Memoirs, whereas my first read of Bred to Win took less than a week. I don't recommend if you are triggered by sexual abuse, but otherwise I highly recommend.

[Paula Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oldie and still a goody... I picked this off my shelf and once again got immersed in the Thoroughbred racing scene. The author knows racing, and he knows strong women. Thoroughly enjoyed this!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic saga about the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry as it follows Annie (of several last names) through a path from abject poverty to the heights of success on the race track (and almost back). It takes Kinsolving 37 chapters and 612 pages to coalesce his many subplots to a very satisfactory ending. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Barb, who gave me this book with high recommendations years ago (it is stamped discard BHBL Community Library). I was daunted by the heft; but find it was well worth the occasional trudge.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a very long story that dragged on a bit. Had interesting parts with parts being very sad and having adult references. Had lots of exciting bits to it too. Betrayals and detemination being a big part I'm this book. A good book though it was very long

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long, good, sad, exciting.

[Shivanee Ramlochan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An epic horselover's tale based on more of a whinny than a full throated gallop.