Sea Biscuit - race horse from the 1940s

Question
When I was 9 years old in 1946, my family and I visited a stable in California, the home of the race horse, Sea Biscuit.  I am unable to remember any other facts, i,e. location in California, stats about the horse, when he died, etc.

Also, I have heard that there is a book out now about the life of Sea Biscuit.  Is this true?  If so, who wrote it?

Thank you for any information you may have.

Carole Hughes

Answer
Dear Carol -

There is indeed a book out about Seabiscuit.  It's called "Seabiscuit: An American Legend," it's written by Laura Hillenbrand, and it's GREAT!!!!!  In fact, I've been reading about racing for nearly 40 years, and I think it's the best book I've ever read about the sport.  

All the information you're looking for is in the book, and while I could bore you with various odd facts (e.g., Seabiscuit retired as racing's all-time leading money winner with $437,730, he died at the relatively young age of 14, he raced 35 times as a 2-year-old, etc., etc.), the best favor I could do for you would be to tell you three simple words:  get the book. It's easily worth the purchase price, and Laura's writing is truly beautiful.

I hope you enjoy it.  Let me know, OK?

- Mark Shrager