One of the most hotly debated issues in the horse racing industry is the uncertain fate that awaits many racehorses when their careers are over and they are no longer useful to their owners and trainers. Many find themselves in sale lots awaiting transport to a slaughterhouse; others fall victim to injury and neglect. However, more and more horses, through the work of numerous rescue organizations and caring individuals, are finding safe homes where they are retrained for various careers.

Eclipse Press, along with publishing partner Keeneland, has released a new book highlighting some of these stories, Second-Chance Horses: Inspiring Stories of Ex-Racehorses Succeeding in New Careers.

Second-Chance Horses is an inspiring collection of true stories about the amazing things ex-racehorses can accomplish once they are re-trained for new careers. From serving as mounted police horses to working in human therapy programs to competing at the Olympic level, these horses are proving there is plenty of life after the track. Second-Chance Horses follows nearly 20 ex-racers, including 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide and the starring horse in the Academy Award-winning film Seabiscuit on their journeys from the racetrack to new careers and the obstacles they overcame. These stories illustrate the incredible will of these horses, and the many years of hard work and companionship they have left to give after their racing careers are over.

Read a sample chapter