Subzero: More than a Melbourne Cup Hero

by Adam Crettenden

The story of Subzero, one of the most popular horses in Australian history.This is more than a racing story. Sure, there is the breeder who took a punt on an untried stallion, the owners who thought they were buying a fast two-year-old, the trainer who was breaking records and the jockey whose career was resurrected by the promise of a young grey stayer.However, his Melbourne Cup victory became secondary after he formed an endearing partnership with veteran clerk of the course Graham Salisbury. Subzero was reinvented under Graham’s care, leading the horse to become a versatile community ambassador, and ultimately to his induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. He has attended primary schools, visited children in hospital beds, socialised in aged-care facilities and even shared drinks with publicans in licensed establishments. He has become a celebrity in his own right, mixing with world leaders, pop stars and actors.This is also a story of the love that a man has for his best friend, who happens to have four legs and a tail, and answers to the name Subbie.Subzero’s name was etched into history as a sporting champion, but his achievements off the racecourse are what make him legendary. Subzero is truly more than a Melbourne Cup hero.

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2016

About the author

Adam Crettenden is a full-time racecaller/TV presenter with over 20 years of broadcasting experience.

His first book, 'Subzero: More Than A Melbourne Cup Hero' is the biography of the 1992 Melbourne Cup winner. It was published by Penguin Random House and released in 2016.

Early in 2017, Crettenden released a children's book titled 'Sam Junior's Day', based on the daily events of his family's border collie.

In 2019, his second racing biography was released - 'Manikato: The Man' - based on one of Australia's champion sprinters.

Reviews

[Brooke Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This horse was special and so is this book. The only reason it took me so long to read was because I would get emotional every time I picked it up. As a horse racing lover, Subbie holds a special place in my heart like he does for most people and this book perfectly describes why that is. It’s beautifully written and pure magic. Non horse racing followers would still easily fall in love with this story and this horse.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, charismatic, amazing boy. Dog is a man's best friend, this time that's not the case. Horse is a man's best friend. Subzero, anyone who has followed horse racing in Australia knows about Subzero. While I probably watched him win the Melbourne Cup, I remember him not for his racing but for his race day duties and all the feel good moments of visiting children, elderly and the sick. He is another perfect example of why most titles, wins, prize money etc don't necessarily make you the best in your chosen sport. What he did off the racetrack is what will forever cement him as one of the best sports personalities that Australia has ever produced.

A great book about the life of one of our greats. RIP Subzero, loved and missed by many.

[Rod Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 times better than steven hawkins