Seattle Slew: Racing's Only Undefeated Triple Crown Winner

Thoroughbred Legends #5

by Dan Mearns

One of the most popular Thoroughbreds in recent times, Seattle Slew is the only undefeated Triple Crown winner, sweeping racing's three jewels while keeping his perfect record intact. Born of humble origins and homely looks, the nearly black colt overcame modest credentials to conquer all before him. The bargain-priced Seattle Slew and his youthful, attractive owners captured public imagination during racing's golden decade of the 1970s. Seattle Slew touched a chord that resonated over three seasons. In Seattle Slew, author Dan Mearns, a longtime racing journalist and editor, explores the life of the great horse, who is one of only eleven Triple Crown winners (horses who have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes at the age of three) in the history of horse racing.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Horse Racing

159 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2000

Reviews

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Thoroughbred Legends series. After reading a few of these, you get the formula. Write about in order: breeder, owner, initial training, early sale, trainer, races, stud career. Add in interesting others like exercise rider, hotwalker, vet, etc. Very comforting to read. So far, none of the series have deviated. Compared to the others, this spent less time on early horse (breeding) and more on the stud career (lots of names and winnings, probably too many). There weren't all that many races in Slew's racing career. This is one of the better written of the pack - I looked for more by Mearns, but this is it (Googling him I found a banker!).

[Sarah B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I read that is part of this series, "Thoroughbred Legends". I had greatly disliked the previous book due to the writing style but to my relief this one was a pleasure to read! I got all the information on the famous Seattle Slew yet it was almost like reading a story.

Apparently he is the world's only undefeated Triple Crown winner. One thing that stood out in here is how he loved to race other horses. He was competitive...yet at times he showed anxiety on the track before races too...caused by the crowds cheering and all of that noise. So if you want to know about Seattle Slew's personality this book will tell you what he was like. Because that is the sort of thing I am interested in...

Yes, his wings are in here too. The races, the tracks, other famous horses he raced against... it's all here.

Then the later part of the book describes his work as a stud.

The center has several pages of black and white photos. 16 pages...

Another thing I appreciated in here is the fact the author explained what a furlong is and why the various race tracks (of the Triple Crown) are considered hard or challenging. I admit I know more about horses than I do about horse racing.

But I enjoyed reading this one. It's well written and tells an exciting story about his climb to fame.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slew 'em, Slew!

Sorry. I've always wanted to put that in a horse racing review, for some reason, and it will never be more appropriate.

Seattle Slew was a champion on the track and a great sire, and this book, surprisingly enough, does him justice! It's clear Mearns is familiar with his subject and is fond of it.

The only part I found off-putting was the bits about the Taylors and their dispute with Slew's first trainer. But then, I find that off-putting in real life as well, and have never liked the Taylors. You mean the trainer wants to put the needs of the horse first?! What on earth could he be thinking?! *eye roll* I don't cotton to people like the Taylors, and was sad to see the trainer go.

But other than that, which was ugly in real life and continues to be ugly on paper, it's an excellent book. Highly recommend.

[RRex · Rating 3 out of 5]

He was a good horse, but I wouldn't classify him as great even though he won the TC.

And he was not undefeated, so the subtitle is inaccurate.

[Val Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. Both my husband and I read it and found it very intriguing and forward moving. Gave a lot of detail about Seattle Slew and the owners, trainers, and handlers.