American Pharoah

The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise

By: Joe Drape

Narrated by: Aaron Abano

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

History was made at the 2015 Belmont Stakes when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, the first since Affirmed in 1978. As magnificent as the champion is, the team behind him has been all too human while on the road to immortality.

Written by an award-winning New York Times sportswriter, American Pharoah is the definitive account not only of how the ethereal colt won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, but how he changed lives. Through extensive interviews, Drape explores the making of an exceptional racehorse, chronicling key events en route to history. Covering everything from the flamboyant owner's successful track record, the jockey's earlier heartbreaking losses, and the Hall of Fame trainer's intensity, Drape paints a stirring portrait of a horse for the ages and the people around him.

Critic reviews

"The fleet-footed American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise rides into the winner's circle via effortless prose, well-reported insider details, a compelling human cast of characters - and an irresistible horse: smart, focused and fast."—USA Today, 3 1/2 stars

"The tale [Drape] spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. . . . From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. . . . Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for."—Publishers Weekly

"American Pharoah is lucky to have Joe Drape. Actually, they're lucky to have each other. No horse has given the preeminent chronicler of 21st century thoroughbreds better material and no other writer could do justice to such a terrific athlete and story. They deserve each other-and anyone who cares about horse racing deserves this book."—Jeremy Schaap, author of Cinderella Man and Triumph

"There is much to admire in this comprehensive and often candid book."
—Washington Post

"There is much to savor in the 292 pages...Drape delivers lively accounts of the sport's biggest events and the assorted newsmakers, on and off the track."—Bergen Record

"Drape takes the reader behind the gate for the inside story of American Pharoah's climb, and to the track for every dust-flying, crowd-roaring minute."—Garden and Gun

"Nobody writes about horses like Joe Drape. He takes you around the track, makes you hear the roar, feel the thrill, see the rich, shadowy, behind-the-scenes world so few us really understand. His writing is as effortless as it is necessary. American Pharoah is an epic American classic, a modern-day Seasbiscuit. If you read just one book about horse racing, read this one."—Drew Jubera, author of Must Win: A Season of Survival for a Town and Its Team

"A page-turner .... With his deep knowledge of horse racing, and sharp eye for detail, Drape weaves a compelling narrative from an unlikely cast of characters around an even more unlikely four-legged hero."—National Book Review

Better than average racing book, but that's a low bar

As a horse racing fan and veteran reader of equine biographies, my expectations for accuracy, and reality, have been crushed over the decades. Of the three previous Triple Crown winners in my lifetime, only Secretariat's bios by Wolfe and perhaps Nack, did their subject justice. This one tries, but also falls short.

The author is well acquainted with horse racing, and is in a position to get some things right that others might miss. But certain small errors, and apparent poor editing, are jarring at times.

Many facts are introduced in one chapter, and then reintroduced in a subsequent one as if they were new information the reader had not heard before. It as though the book was an assemblage of separate essays, rather than a seamless whole.

In fairness Drape does capture a fair bit of the drama involved in Pharoah's career. This is undermined by the reader's strong tendency to emote. Emphases are often in the wrong places, and subject breaks often melded confusingly together.

I enjoyed the book somewhat, and am happy to have listened, because I love the subject. But I was frequently frustrated with the experience as well.

A Story of the People Behind American Pharoah

Overall, this is a really good audio book, which documents the lives and roles of the various individuals behind race horse American Pharoah. I was disappointed; however, that the story is more about the people than the horse. As a horse lover, I was really hoping to personally connect with the champion triple crown winner, feeling his spirit and greatness as the story unfolded. Unfortunately, this connection was lacking. But the story is well written, in a style that captures the listener's interest. It offers vignettes of the people associated with the horse and the horse's competitors, mixing facts and rumor. The book is entertaining. The story can be a bit choppy at times, as it goes off on tangents about another person. It takes a while for the listener to understand the correlation but does shortly come together. It provides a behind the scenes peek into the lives of those who played essential roles in the life of American Pharoah. I didn't appreciate the narrative describing the mating between American Pharoah's sire and dam, which was in poor taste and an unnecessary addition. This audio book is sure to appeal to racing fans, despite its flaws. The narrator did an excellent job.

This book sucks you in from the start

I don't usually listening to nonfiction books and when I do it's hard to stick to it. American Pharoah capture my interest from the beginning and didn't let go til the end. Just amazing

American Pharoah Wins Again

Joe Drape captures the excitement and drama of the Triple Crown in this book, its hero is heroic, the support players worthy of the accomplishments of the Colt. Aaron A bank was wonderful in his presentation, I am looking forward listening to more of his narrations. I really loved this audiobook

Exceeded Expectations

Like a skilled storyteller, the amazing narrative injects insight, history, and persona to bring life to horseracing.