Thoroughbred Books

This is a decent general introduction to a system that is really nothing more than a variant of Pace Handicapping. It is a fun read, although sometimes the author seems a bit enamored with his sense of humor referring, for example, to horses as "pigs."

If you really want a complete understanding of Pace Handicapping, you will need to plow through Brohamer's book.

Incorporates a number of techniques to give you a fighting chance at the betting window. A must read and re-read for the horseplayer.

I don't want to completely dis any book. After all, lots of work goes into a book, even one that doesn't have the ring of truth.

I selected this book based on the recommendations of a knowledgeable handicapping friend who has been applying the methods of Michael Pizzolla for several years. The book teaches Michael Pizzolla's methods of pace and speed handicapping.

There are several tools which are described, some of which I have seen by other names from other authors and some of which are novel. The book is over 400 pages long, however like so many handicapping books, there is a lot of space wasted showing DRF entries and charts for the same races over and over again. The book also makes frequent references to software and other handicapping aids marketed by Michael Pizzolla.

Novel concepts presented include concept of fulcrum pace (and horse) and form cycle windows which are not treated elsewhere. These concepts can be applied to narrow a field of contenders and eliminate horses from consideration. The approaches are selection oriented and there is little treatment of value.

The book would be useful for someone looking for mechanical systems which they might use to select horses for various conditions.

Mr Pizzolla is a clever fellow. It is my guess that he is making more money from selling his "methodologies" than from his betting action. Ask yourself, if someone really has a successful approach, why would he share it? Surely, someone as intelligent as Pizzolla would have learned from the storied experience of Andrew Beyer (who brought down the odds on the horses he would bet by publishing his method).

So, either Pizzolla is more interested in talking (writing) about what to do than doing it. Or flat out can not make a living with his own insights. I have read the online reviews and come to the conclusion that those raving about being winners are mistaking luck for skill.

Buyer beware.

this like many other horse books was great. it's nice hearing about cindy's life.i love reading about people in the thoroughbred series diaries.cindy and ben are a cute couple .why won't cindy get married.she's so pretty.it's sad she can't race anymore.why did she have to get hurt?????but still it's a great book.PLEASE CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE TB SERIES!!!!!!!!!THEY'RE GREAT BOOKS

One thing- WHAT HAPPENED TO MAX?
If you've read the series you know that Max was Cindy's boyfriend.So, where did he go??????????????Ben is very annoying in my opinion and i want Max to come back.However, it was nice to finally know what happened to Champion and Ashleigh's baby, and the book had enough action and struggle to be interesting.It made me like the series again.

THIS BOOK WAS TERRIBLE. I THOUGHT CINDY LIKED MAX, NOT SOME...SOME... GUY... NAMED BEN! SECOND OF ALL, CHAMPION IS NOT A LOCO HORSE AND STUPID ENOUGH TO RUN ASHLEIGH OVER, AND SELLING HIM WAS STUPID. MIKE WAS ACTING ALL PARANOID. I HAD ENOUGH OF THESE NEW BUT COMPLETELY PATHETIC THOROUGHBRED BOOKS.
Why oh why can't Joanna Campbell start the series over again where she left off?

Cindy's Desert Adventure just snuck itself into the series, in my opinion.

I have to say, first, that Cindy is my least favorite character in the Thoroughbred series.She was snotty, stuck-up, and any other words that don't point to anything good.After Glory's Rival I gave up on the Cindy books.It always turned out the same: the horse won the race by an amazing margin.But when Cindy made an appearence in the later books(which are wonderful,but the first few with Wonder,Pride,and the rest are still my favorites) she slowly became a character I could stand.This is a good book, and well written, but it still didn't quite have that... flame that some other books of this series have had.

I'm glad that Cindy is back. Unlike some people. Cindy is my favorite char in the Thoroughbred books. It was kinda stupid to sell Champion because of you know what. He's a TRIPLE CROWN winner here people! Just cause he did what he did is no reason to sell him! Northen Dancer was that way but look what he turned out to be! HAHA!!!!! Not many horses win the TC eather! It's an honor to own one!!!! :P Over all, it's a 4-star book.

Ashleigh's Hope

I have read a lot of horse books in my life, old and new, but this is one of the worst that I have ever read. The character, Ashleigh is an annoying know-it-all who thinks that she can someday be a jockey. Her opinion is based on her ability to ride a "Shetland Pony." The Shetland Pony is a very small pony breed whose back stands, at its highest height, at a twelve-year-old's armpit. After successfully riding this middle-aged pony, Ashleigh is under the impression that she can control a young, high-spirited thoroughbred during a race where horses travel at least twenty-five miles an hour. The story begins with Ashleigh and her parents at a racetrack buying a mare for their thoroughbred-breeding farm. Although Ashleigh's parents have twenty thousand dollars to spend on the mare, they cannot buy a horse that is one thousand dollars cheaper for their farm, and buy Ashleigh a horse with the extra money. Oh no, that would make the story completely unnecessary, and so there is a huge drama about Ashleigh wanting a horse of her own, and her family not being able to afford one. When someone has a horse farm, one extra horse does not eat enough to make a difference. Believe me, I live on a horse farm, and an extra horse here or there would make hardly any difference on a large-scale thoroughbred-breeding farm. In one scene in this stupid book, Ashleigh chases her sister's out-of-control horse, over ice I might add, and riding a borrowed horse herself, to try to rescue her sister. When a bolting horse is chased, this simply makes it want to run faster, as the author should have found in her research. (Perhaps the author simply wants her character to appear dumb, but I don't really see this in the rest of the book) Ashleigh proceeds to jump her borrowed horse over icy obstacles, the horse falling to its knees at one point, until she is thrown from the animal. Her sister's horse swerves and her sister flies into a tree, getting a concussion. Apparently, this is the author's way of making more drama enter the story. After many more boring tribulations and dramas at home and at school, the book finally ends after Ashleigh gets the horse of her dreams as a gift. The horse is just what she wanted, down to its personality and color. The horse doesn't do anything wrong, making for a very boring relationship between horse and rider. Ashleigh decides that she will someday become a jockey, with or without her parents' permission, and that is where the book, thankfully, ends. I hate to be discriminatory, as I myself am a girl, but a girl jockey is simply not realistic. Most owners and trainers will not hire girls as jockeys and they prefer to use boys as riders because of the danger involved in the sport. Nonetheless, my friend, who enjoys the books tells me, that the entire series involves girl after girl with brilliant jockey careers. I have no idea, nor will I ever bother to find out, if this is indeed a true statement. If you are looking for a good, interesting horse book, I highly recommend the author, Walter Farley. Although the main character in these books is a boy, I found them highly interesting. The books "Frog" and "Smoky the Cowhorse" are also very good books, but might be harder to find, and you may have to go online and put a hold on them from your library. Please, please do not waste your money on this trashy, uninteresting book. If you like fantasy, you're all set, because this book has almost nothing realistic about it. Those are the reasons that I gave this book one star.

i like the part where the mean snobby girls put glitter in rangers coat and then the judges of the show thinks its cool!hehe.

This is a great book, but Ashleigh's Diary is better. Mona and Ashleigh are SO lucky they each get a horse. Great book. You should read it.

I have read all of the Thoroughbred books and own all of them, I'm 11 and I think these books are fantastic, especially since I like racing.I have a few questions.Christina sounds like a brat why? And where did Parker come from, I thought Brad and Lavinia's baby is named Ross? Are there going to be more Thoroughbred books, who's Leslie is she Christina's baby and why is Alison Estes writing the books and not Joanna Campbell? Over all these books are great.

I have read every single Thoroughbred book, and I also own all of them. I love them. Maybe they are for younger kids, but I have been reading them since I was 11, (I'm 18 now), and I still rush to the store every time a new one comes out. They are the best. I met my best friend because of them. I do have a couple of questions though. 1. Where did Parker come from, I thought Brad and Lavinia's baby was named Ross? 2. What happened to Ashleigh's baby from #17? 3. What happens between book #23 & #24? I think it's time for a new Special Edition? Also, I think that after the ASHLEIGH series goes on for awhile, there should be a SAMANTHA series. She is much more interesting. She is my favorite character. I was mad when the books went to Cindy. BRING SAMANTHA BACK IN HER OWN SERIES!! Otherwise, I think these books are great. I would recomend them to anyone. All you people out there who are whining about little details, (like book covers, #9, #18, and Dead Heat being alike) need to get a life. Nothing is perfect. Just enjoy the books!

I liked this book a lot, but I was very disapointed that Star lost pretty badly. I LOVE Chris and Star (why does everyone think that Christina is bratty?!?) I already knew that Image and Mel were going to win even before I read this book because I had read "Christina's Shining Star" and "Star's Inspiration" first. If you LOVE Mel and Image, this book is for you!

this book was really cool but i wanted star to be wonders best foal because he is her last foal. if you like this series try the website www.whitebrookfarm.com

This is probably the WORST book in the series! I wanted Star to win! He went through alot and he almost came in last. Melanie's a stuck-up brat and not-so-Perfect Image is annoying too! They're arrogant and spoiled! And I'm glad Image broke her leg at the end! Hopefully she'll never race again. And the covers are starting to look BAD! In the book, Melanie Had green silks w/ white music notes, but on the cover she has red and blue silks! Seriously, they need better covers.

I think this book is great. The only reason I only gave it four stars is because of how the other characters act. Christina, who's usually nice(NOT BRATTY!!!) acts cold and distant. Ashleigh is completely different than she usually is! I also didn't like what place Star got. I'm not going to tell you, but he deserves better! Gratis got a good place, which makes me happy. I was actually crying at the end! This is a book you should not miss out on!

I have had it! Enough with Melanie and Image! I'm sick and tired of books about Melanie and Image! Why did stupid old Image have to win? Wonder's Star should win. He's alot better than stupid Image! I don't understand why everyone likes them so much and they hate Christina and Star. Chris and Star are cool! And, no, they aren't spoiled. Image, Image, Image, that's all Melanie ever talks about! This is a dumb book!

This was a really good book! But, Chis should not question her mom's skill! Her mom knows what's she's doing! It was really sad that Raven got hurt. But, in the end when Chis and Mel had thier "Derby prep race" it ended on a great note. I can't wait to see who wins the Kentucky Derby! GO STAR AND CHISTINA!!!

I think that they're wasting too much time writing about preparing for the Derby. It was kind of nice to see the days when Pride was being overraced from Ashleigh's point of veiw. However, I don't think Christina was smart to think that Ashleigh was being unfair to Star just because she was letting Image breeze. In a later book, Ashleigh does the same thing, and Star ends up better than ever. This book stalls way too much time, but I still reccomend it to all thoroughbred fans.

This book was great! I thought it would be the Derby book, but oh well. HORSE LOVERS, READ THIS BOOK!

This book was ok but the author should read the other books before writing this one. When Ashleigh has flashbacks they are not the same as the other books when Pride is racing. Being a jockey is harder than the author describes it. It's not like you can get rides any time you want like Mel and Christina. The frist books in the series rocks though A Horse called Wonder. It's my favorite

ok, i really liked because Ashleigh was actually in it--like every other chapter it was from her point of view. I dont kno about other people, but she's my favorite charter of the TB series. Anywho...Chris wants to race Star but Ashleigh doesnt think she should. Then she lets her race Raven and..well...Mel gets mad b/c of something that happened....and then at the end Ashleigh has a surprise for Chris. i liked it...but only cuza Ashleigh...lol..no, really it was a good TB books

In zthis book, Glorys Triumph, March TO Glory has finally made it to the racetrack. Glory shows much promise as a racehorse. And Cindy Mclean is overwhelmed. Cindy was once a runaway orphan who have came to Whitebrook Farm, a breeding a racing stable in Kentucky for racehorses. Cindy also found a loving family with the Mcleans, and Cindy found the horse of her dreams, March TO Glory who was a stolen thoroughbred who now showed lots of promise at the racetrack. But when Townsend Princess, Ashleighs Wonder, Ashleighs champion mares 2nd foal Townsend Princess is injuried during a workout being ridden by snotty Laviena. Princes was Wonders first and only filly but also one of the best. Princess was being trained at Townsend Acres a racing and breeding stable, where their horses arnt nothing much but money makers. But when Princess is found to be lame and serieously injuried, she wont race for a long time. So Mr.Townsend owner of Townsend Acres lets Ashleigh bring the filly to Whitebrook. After Princess accident, Cindy feels that she is bad luck and will just hurt the racehorses. So she stays away from the stables and her beloved colt, Glory. But Cindy doesnt want Glory to get hurt but without Cindys love for Glory, the colt wont run his best. He still wins but not easily. Will Cindy come back to Glory so she can give her love to a champion or will she hidr from him? Find out in Glorys Triumph. Or email me at [...]

The Cindy and second generation eventing portions of the series were dark days for Thoroughbred. The plots have since switched back to racing and the newest few books have been exceptional. Just as we thought there was hope for the Thoroughbred series to be restored to its former glory Harper Collins has decided to end the series abruptly after #72. With such a dedicated following and online fan base with members from all over the world, this is a classic and beloved series that has inspired many people and provided horse fans with vicarious thrills and adventure. Ashleigh saved Wonder, now it's up to you to help save Thoroughbred. Go to www.whitebrookfarm.com and join the effort.

I really liked this book, and it was the second I read in the series, I couldn't put it down. But now that I've read more in this series, I see more problems with this book. It's just that Glory winning his first race ever by 20 lengths is slighly outlandish, and something about Cindy just gives me a weird feeling. She's nothing like Ash and Sammy, and I know everyone's different, but she acts like her life depends on Glory's winning, and she doesn't seem to have a whole relationship with the colt. But it's still very good, and I reccomend it.

Why is it that no one in this series EVER picks out duds? it's rather unrealistic. and Glory wins a race by 20 lengths? uh, no. And, I'm sorry to bring us all back to reality, but racing thoroughbreds tend to be very hotblooded, and frequently evil-tempered. now no one please write a review saying, 'i have a thoroughbred who's the nicest horse ever' because i really don't care, and that's slightly immature. I would NOT recomend this book to anyone 12 and up who has been around horse for more than 1 year. And Cindy, she just bugs me, I mean, she's got a family, and she's around horses a lot, WHY does her life DEPEND on Glory? And seriously everyone needs to say to her, oh, im sorry Cindy let me dorp everything important I'M doing, and work on YOUR problem.

I really liked this book, and it was the second I read in the series, I couldn't put it down. But now that I've read more in this series, I see more problems with this book. It's just that Glory winning his first race ever by 20 lengths is slighly outlandish, and something about Cindy just gives me a weird feeling. She's nothing like Ash and Sammy, and I know everyone's different, but she acts like her life depends on Glory's winning, and she doesn't seem to have a whole relationship with the colt. But it's still very good, and I reccomend it.

I'm not sure what happened to the books. I still like to read them but something isn't right. They used to captivate the reader now there just same thing. you know what's going to happen before it does. I don't like it. Joanna kept the reader's interest. And I'm think Karen Bently did too. The new righters are good but they don't fill the empty space. With Image, there in real life, would be no possible way for her to win the Kentucky Derby. As for Wonder's Star everyone must have known that he would win the Belmont Stakes.
You at book #24 shifted it from racing to jumping. We didn't want that. Even though you put racing back those books were a wast of time. You need to get the spark back in. The books will be good, but not great. As far as I know there will only be one writer for the books, Joanna Cambell.

First of all, I love all the Thoroughbred books...exept the Parker ones!
Racing Image was a good book because Mel's dad buys Image. (Later he sells her, but oh, well.) Also Image FINALLY gets to race! I love the Mel books, because I am a lot like her. She is so cool!
Unfortunatly, the series is going to end after book #72. [...]

i started reading this series when i was a little girl. i'm a senior in high school and they're the first books i bust out when i'm bored. until mrs. campbell stopped actually writing them. these new writers are talented yes, but...they changed everything about the books that actually make me love them! First of all, they're so predictable. it's not fun when you know they'll win the race everytime. i want campbell back, and that's it.

I love this book because Melanie and Kevin are such cute friends but kevin should own a sports car and not a truck!

To be honest, I've always felt that the new generation books seem to lack something ... realistic perhaps? Reality is the whole reason why I started reading the books, the way Joanna Campbell wrote was realistic ... the characters had depth, they had feeling, they didn't always win, but they worked hard to get where they were. And all of a sudden, in the series is lacking in reality. How can they expect to send Image to the Triple Crown if she's only *just* started racing as a three-year old and by the end of the book has won a race. If you ask me, if one was thinking to enter a horse in a series of races where eligablity was based on lifetime winnings (in the case of the Preakness) or graded stakes winnings (in the case of the Derby) one can't just say they're going to enter a horse in the Triple Crown and expect that it will happen. That's where the reality leaves off, and why I like Joanna's books far better than the new generation ones, however the case may be. Sure, the writing is great, but there's a spark that's missing, in my mind, that the original series definately had.

Ainslie takes it to the micro with way too much information for a novice live me. I really enjoyed learning of how the sport as a whole "works" and WHY there's so much information printed in the Daily Racing Form.

Ainslie breaks down several factors that should be looked at when analyzing a race - speed, pace, trainer, class, form, etc. His writing style is great, the info is great, and it is a great primer for anyone just getting into the sport or wanting to improve their skills. Some of the jockey/trainer info is a little outdated, but I refer to the book often. Highly recommend.

What an eye opener it was when I stumbled on this fifteen years ago! Some of the material is dated, but the fundamentals are well covered and still relevant. Still a terriffic primer for someone wanting to learn the game.

Let's start with the obvious. Ainslie wrote in a different time: before exotic wagering, which he considered a gimmick, became 70+% of the daily handle. His specific advice about WPS betting and money management, as a result, should be discarded. Likewise, his advice about which trainers and jocks to follow has aged poorly.

At the same time, there's information in here that's invaluable, such as the sections on understanding trainer intent, and on post parade and paddock behavior.

This book has a special place in the history of handicapping, and for that reason alone, is worth having, but in the modern player's arsenal, it should be an added coloring and not the central philosophy.

I had read nearly a dozen books on horserace handicapping before I read Ainslie's book. This should have been the first book on horseracing that I read. Ainslie covers every aspect of handicapping and the racing game imaginable. He writes in a simple, concise, easy style -- easy on the eyes, easy to absorb.

It is well-organized. Each chapter covers a specific aspect of the game. Perhaps what I enjoyed the most (and have put to good use) is Ainslie's 60 item list on how to handicap a race --what to look for: angles to be aware of in class, form; speed; jockey/trainer angles .. and on and on and on. The beauty of this book is that the reaader is exposed to so many different topics and subject areas that he will able to find his nich, his own style in handicapping. If you are like me, after you read this book, you will have a list of several more books that you will simply have to have. Thanks to Ainslie.

Ainslie doesn't tout any particular handicapping style; he simply informs the reader of all the many different angles there are instantly adding to the reader's knowledge of the game and providing instant improvement to his handicapping. This is the racing book you would keep on your bedside table; this is the book that you will be referring back to time and time again -- there is that much in this book. Tell you one thing, I envy Ainslie's friends who are able to get tips and suggestions from the author.

If the reader is buying this book in paperback, perhaps he should buy two copies. Surely, he will wear this book out. I have.

In Cindys Glory, Cindy and Samantha showed that March To Glory, the stolen grey colt had a talent on the racetrack. Glory shows promise as a great racehorse. And Cindy is finally addoped by the Mcleans. Both stolen horse and orphan child both found a home at Whitebrook, a racing and breeding stable. But Mike reese and Ashleigh Griffen, both owners of Whitebrook Farm have found Glorys real owner and they want to sell Glory at an auction and Cindy still hasnt made a real home at Whitebrokk and the Mcleans. Cindy is soo sure that Glory had the potientle as a racehorse and a great one and Cindy tries to convince Ashleigh and Mike to buy Glory since they cant keep him now. But will Cindy have time to help Glory when she is in trouble herself? And will Glory and Cindy find their dream home at Whitebrook and have Glory do many great things. Find out if Glory and Cindy find another dieasterious home. Or stay at Whiotebrook. Or find out from me at Blades60@aol.com

The Cindy and second generation eventing portions of the series were dark days for Thoroughbred. The plots have since switched back to racing and the newest few books have been exceptional. Just as we thought there was hope for the Thoroughbred series to be restored to its former glory Harper Collins has decided to end the series abruptly after #72. With such a dedicated following and online fan base with members from all over the world, this is a classic and beloved series that has inspired many people and provided horse fans with vicarious thrills and adventure. Ashleigh saved Wonder, now it's up to you to help save Thoroughbred. [...]

It is a great book like the others in the series, but a little far-fetched the way she learns how to ride. I love this series though, it realy exposes the racing life. The complete series is a great one. Some of the books are better than others though.

This book is a bomb. It was sad when they had to take Glory away.

Cindy's Glory is the last book in the Thoroughbred series that Joanna Campbell wrote herself. As of spring 2003, the series has grown to 57 titles, 4 super editions, three reissues, and a spin-off Ashleigh series, which makes the original 14 books and 2 super editions even more precious. Most loyal readers agree that Joanna Campbell, as the original author and creater, was the best. She created real situations with flawed but likable characters. Even Cindy's Glory, however, slips a little on the scale.

Cindy's Glory is the story of Cindy Blake, an orphan who is staying temporarily at Whitebrook Farm with Ian and Beth MacLean, and their daughter Samantha. In the previous book, Cindy's Runaway Colt, Cindy found a stray colt named Glory and hid him while she tried to convince the MacLeans to save him from his abusive owners - who, it turned out, had stolen him. Now he is up for auction, so Cindy and her friend Heather Gilbert determine to train him as a racehorse to prove he's good enough for Whitebrook to buy.

Campbell is notorious for having her heroines - Ashleigh, the original character who started the series, and then Samantha - go off slightly half-cocked when it comes to horses. You really have to ignore the fact that two twelve-year-old girls are galloping a racehorse; if you do you'll be able to handle the whole book. Don't get hung up on the fact that it's totally unreasonable; this is one example of the way Campbell was definitely on the way out when she wrote this book.

Otherwise Campbell does a good job. Cindy's fear at being taken away from her foster home at Whitebrook is very real, as is her gratitude at being part of a loving family. And her relationship with Glory is much like Ashleigh's with her beloved mare Wonder, but not a carbon copy. Longtime readers will manage to find parallels and enjoy the bond between them, but it won't feel like Campbell ran out of things to say and just cut-and-pasted Ashleigh and Wonder stories.

Joanna Campbell wrote Thoroughbred books #1-14, the super editiongs Ashleigh's Christmas Miracle and Ashleigh's Diary, and the first three books of the Ashleigh series: Lightning's Last Hope, A Horse for Christmas, and Waiting for Stardust. She also wrote Battlecry Forever! and Star of Shadowbrook Farm, which were released as part of the "Ashleigh's Book Collection" series. If you plan to read Thoroughbred I recommend you start with #1 and go up, because the original 14 books really were the best.

When Ashleigh Griffen's best friend Mona tells her how much fun show jumping is, she gives it a try. She and her mare Stardusts win a few ribbons, but Ashleigh is starting to forget her dream about being a jockey. It was cool that she rode like a jockey to catch Frisky, but will the chase make her realize that she still has her dream?

This was so exciting and awesome. I felt like I was jumping with Ashleigh. There is a lot of info about showjumpers and eventing! It is very fast-paced and realistic. It is great for anyone who does or admires showjumping, like me! A warning, though--if you pick it up and start reading, your eyes will be glued to the page! The only thing I didn't like was the way Ashleigh's parents acted when Ashleigh said she wanted to jump, but overall it is such an exciting book.
COVER ANALYISIS: A pretty good rendition of Asleigh but not a very good version of Starlight. Starlight looks like a liver chestnut on this cover. Oh, well--I can't complain. I guess some people don't care about detailing drawings of horses as much as I do :)

I just love this book ! I can't say it was my favourite but it came close. The Ashleigh series is so realistic.I liked having Rhoda come to stay she seemed nice and friendly. Ashleigh and her were bothed faced with normal every day fears. I think the reasons I like this series so much is because 1. I love both horses and racing, 2. Ashleigh and her family deal with regular issues and 3.I can relate to the characters the author makes it feel like you right there with the characters! This series is great I wish it could last ! Keep up the good Work!

I thought that this book was really great! Ashleigh was a great character and I liked Stardust. I have read alot of the THOROUGHBRED Books and I have to say that I would like to see more about Ashleigh ,not just Christina.It was a great book and I would recomend it to anyone.

I tottaly agree with a reader from usa. In this book, Ashleigh made out that jumping is soooo easy. Is that ever WRONG!!! Jumping is really hard and takes a lot of work. No one can "just do it" like the authour made out in this book. It took me months to perfect a two foot jump, and Ashleigh can do it in a few minutes? I don't think so. It's not like running a horse fast is any harder, that's for sure!!