Living Legend

Thoroughbred #39

by Alice Leonhardt (Creator), Alice Leonhardt

Can Christina measure up?

Ever since Christina Reese won her very first race on Wonder's Star, she's been feeling pressure to live up to her mother's reputation as a great jockey. The racing press is full of articles with headlines such as "Like Mother, Like Daughter!" and "Winning Races Must Be in the Genes!"

But after a disappointing finish in her next race, Christina decides there is no way she can meet such high expectations -- she'll never be as good as Ashleigh. After only two starts, will Christina give up racing forever?

Read Thoroughbred and experience the powerful bond between a determined girl and a very special colt. If you love horses, then you'll love these books!

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Childrens, Animals, Middle Grade, Contemporary, Horse Racing

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

About the author

When Alison Hart was seven years old, she wrote, illustrated, and self-published a book called The Wild Dog. Since then, she's authored more than sixty books for young readers. A former teacher, she lives in Virginia.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have gotten four, but the author needed to go back and check her facts. Any fan of the series would notice anomalies in the setting. One that has been around since the very first book, 38 books ago.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten how much I enjoy this series. It's been several years since I've last read one, but I'll definitely be stepping up my reading game.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone on Goodreads needs to fix the book description. The series was created by Joanna Campbell, not Alice Leonhardt (also known as Alison Hart.)

The cover is laughable, keeping with the tradition of bad Thoroughbred covers. I guess that's supposed to be Star. Looks more like a plow horse than a race horse. And Christina has suddenly shrunk.

If this is the first book in the Thoroughbred series that you've picked up, put it right back down and walk away. Honestly, your life will be better by not having anything to do with this series. It has nothing to do with how Thoroughbred racing and breeding is in America. Many of the story lines are never completed by the end of the series.

Anyway, this is a completely forgettable book. The "living legend" referred to here is Ashleigh, who for some inexplicable reason decides to ride Star in a race. And even more inexplicably, decides to let Christina ride in future races, even though Christina is a crap jockey.

I'd plead for somebody to make it make sense, but it's just not worth the bother.

Other horses that appear here include Rush Street, Fast Gun, Thunder Bones, Sassy, Rascal, Heart of Stone and Wind Chaser. Pride's Heart is here, too, but is often referred to as Pride. Now, this would never happen at a real breeding and racing facility. Wonder's Pride lives at Whitebrook. His barn name has always been Pride. You don't have two horses in the same barn with the same barn name, because of the confusion this would OBVIOUSLY cause.

Alice Leonhardt, you are a dumb fuck.

[Rowan 🐴 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! Love this series

[Alma · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... I'm rereading the whole series, not in the right order though.