Thoroughbred #36: Without Wonder

It was very sad to see Wonder go. I do like this book alot. Everyone who's read the TB must get this book. It's very touching and heartrending. I hate to see Wonder go. I wanted her last foal to be a girl though. That was one thing that I didn't like. But Wonder's Star was okay. I was also glad to see how Christina saved the foal. I was really glad that Star made. It is a great book.

In Without Wonder, is history repeating itself? At Whitebrook farm, Ashleigh Griffen, famous jockey of many stakes races and first female jockey winning the Tripple Crown and competing in it a couple fo times; and Brad Townsend, has half intrest in Ashleighs favoirte mare and her offsprings. Who so happens owns Townsend Acres, one of the richest and best thoroughbred taining and breeding farms in Kentucky; have decided to breed the famous Wonder one more time but to one of Mike Reesse, Ashleighs husband, both owning Whitebrook Farm and trained hundreds of stakes winners; stallion, Jazzman. In Wonders racing days, the mare was born and trained at Townsend Acres. When Wonder was born, Ashlgigh Griffen has just moved to the farm with her parents a few weeks before. Wonder was born a small and silky foal who could hardly stand. But with Ashleighs love and guidence, Wonder was able to survive and romp around the paddock with the other yearlings. But Brad and his father Clay wanted to sell Wonder since they thought she would never make it to the track. Ashleigh cant bare to loose another horse she loves so she had to keep working with the filly. Soon Wonder was able to win the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and Breeders Cup Classic. Wonder was retiered after injuriny and has produced many stakes offsprings. Everyone thought Wonders last foal would be Wonders Legacy, the colt Ashleighs daughter Christina Reesse has traded to get the horse she wanted; But a few years later Ashleigh and Brad have agread to breed Wonder to Mikes stallion, Jazzman. btu while Christina is at Samanthas house having dinner wih a event trainer star, Ashleigh calls to let her know Wonder is having birth. But Chris knows Wonder is a few weeks early. She gets Parker, her friend who also dreams to become an olimpix rider drops Christina off at Whitebrook. It took longer for Wonder to start having her foal. Over 20 minutes its been after her water sack breaks and no foal. Ashleigh and Christina get worried. But after a rough delievery, Wonder had a beautiful colt. The colt was small and silky just like Wonder after she was born. Days later, Wonder has been acting weird and so run down. After they get the vets results, Wonder is deadly ill. Ashleigh has to make the hardest decision in her life. Soon the colt Christina named Wonders Star is now a orphaned is getting sicker everyday. Christina soon bottlefeeds Star and weeks later, he finaly overcomed his fears of the outside world and started to become the champion no one saw. When it is time for the otehr foals to be weaned, Star helps the other fillies and colts get over their mothers loss and Star got them to play around once again. Christina knows she and Sta have a strong bond which cant be broken but Ashleigh doesnt even dare look at the colt. Christina knows the excerising racehorses has been helping her get ready for her and Sterlings next event but she has been so caught up with Star she dont have much time for the mare.

This was the first book I read in the "Thoroughbred" series. I found it to be sad. When Wonder died it was undoubtedly one of the most emotional parts of the story. But, at the same time I was happy because Wonder had something to die for...Star. I also cried when Ashleigh made Christina give up Star and sell the colt to Brad. But, the plot recovers in the sequel, and you will be yelling with excitement when Star battles his way towards THE TRIPLE CROWN.

History is repeating itself....Christina is at Samantha McLeans house with a famous Olympic star, who has just invited her to Florida for the training chance of a lifetime! But the only seconds later she recieves a call from her mother: wonder is going into labor and its not good! Chris rushes home to find wonder in trouble. Her unborn foal is caught up somewhere inside of her! Ash "goes in" and fixes it but after all is said and done Wonder is still in bad shape. she is dehydrated, and bleeding internally. Ashleigh chooses to have her put down. But the grieving goes on for too long and ashleigh soon despises the colt, Wonder's star. she blames him for wonder's tragic death. Chris does what she can for the colt but ashleigh just cant stand him. Ash sends him to Townsend acres for training and chris is angry. Then chris understands why her mother had to get rid of star when she finds ashleigh crying over a broken picture of her and wonder in a field, the day after Clay townsend gave her half ownership. All in all it was an okay book. Its sad that wonder had to die like that though. And for all you people worried about the dissapearing characters...the more recent books are describing what happened to some of them. So just keep reading. this book is worth your money....

I really liked this book. It was incredible! It had believability and was moving and nicey written. This had got to be one of the best TB books ever! It's in a more modern style than 1-23 and Ashliegh's reaction was brilliantly done. I can't wait for 37!