Reviews of The Tradition of Cheating at the Sport of Kings

WOW! Glenn, what a fantastic book! Excellent job calling it out as you actually lived it. I admire you! You are a man with great pride, integrity and courage. Your friends that are true friends should admire you and those that have a problem with your honesty are obviously ones that are guilty and could not hold a candle to you.

Keep your head held high and continue to fight for what you believe is right (I absolutely believe in what you are doing).

You really have a gift to write and you have a sense of humor too. Your love for your wife shows through in your book and that is such a beautiful thing in this day and age.

You truly are a special person and those gorgeous animals we call "horses" are very fortunate to have you care as deeply as you do. Thank you for caring. ~Lynn Battschinger

This was a good book. It kept my attention, and helped me understand the sport of Kings, and how it has evolved to place it is today. Good Job.

Thank you Glenn for being Man enough to bring to light what is really going on in the racing world. You are not like those who choose to hide and pretend the problems of cheating do not exist as they do not want "bad publicity." Kudos to you! Great Read!!

Review by Gretchen Jackson
“Thank God for your huge effort in writing the book and to be willing to go to bat for what is right and good for the horse. We have hoped we could change things and your book will be a big help in accomplishing that change.”

This is a tough story to swallow for those of us who love the game of Thoroughbred racing. Glenn Thompson is a long time, successful horse trainer who tells it like it is.

I believe Mr. Thompson has many valid points, and I have witnessed similar experiences myself. It is extremely difficult to publicly "out" people for poor performance and professional irresponsibility.

In the best of all possible worlds, the information in this book would be used to investigate confusing circumstances and the offending parties would be held accountable. As it is, and as Mr. Thompson has pointed out, people want to keep their jobs in the industry they love. Unfortunately, it is the horses that suffer, and the jockeys which are on top of them in the races.

Kudos to Mr. Thompson for attempting to give the horses a voice.

Janice Blake-Baeza

Review by Erin Hurley, Director of South Jersey Thoroughbred Rescue and Adoption - -

This book is a must read for all. Glenn Thompson should be applauded for his enlightening depiction of illegal drug use and the current state of affairs associated with Thoroughbreds and the racing industry. As the Director of a NJ non-profit organization that re-trains and places Thoroughbreds into new careers post-racing (South Jersey Thoroughbred Rescue and Adoption) I see first-hand what these horses are often forced to endure. I hope that significant changes will ultimately occur and believe that this book is a step in the right direction. I believe that “The Tradition of Cheating at the Sport of Kings” has incredible potential for creating the awareness to bring about the changes that are so desperately needed in the Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

Well written and very informative. Very gutsy to do what Glenn has done and will better the sport. Highly recommended!

Glenn's descriptive lay of the backstretch gives an accurate account of the moral threshold some trainers are willing to cross and the management that is willing to turn a blind eye to repeat offenders. His idea of a Universal Racing Law for pre-race exams and medication should not be overlooked by lawmakers who were quick to appease animal rights groups about overuse of the whip in racing. Sadly state jurisdictions want to make up their own rules and enforce them on select targets and not on the trainers who are having a high percentage of breakdowns; a point well made in this book.

Glenn Thompson took a huge risk getting black balled from the racing industry, yet he still proves he can rise above the wrong doing. His love of the sport in it's purest sense and for horses gives him strong creditability as a trainer looking out for the best interest of the horse, jockey, owner and racing fans. Having learned from observation of his horses and being keyed in to their everyday behavior gives him a great edge in soundness issues that a large racing outfit would often ignore. He has rang the bell and let's hope more trainers and owners follow in his steps to make positive changes to racing!

This is an eye-opening look into the dark side of racing. I found his book to be descriptive, informative, deeply moving and emotionally shocking.

Glenn writes from the heart, deeply invested in his passion and his family tradition. I applaud him for writing this book for all to see. Thank you Glenn for giving me hope for the sport I love, for giving me the courage to continue to stand up for the changes that are far too long over due.

We need new blood, new ideas, bold thinkers and brave individuals to pull this sport out of the status quo.
I am a firm supporter of having a National Racing Commission to oversee, implement new rules and regulations that will bring ALL the players under one roof. That will make ALL the players accountable and responsible for their perview in this sport.
The most important reason is for the well-being and safety of horse and rider. There can be nothing more important to any horseman.

My translation of the Sport of Kings is: The Great Sport of Racing, People Living on A Wing and A Prayer, Spending More Money Than They Make, To Do Something That They Love.