Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Cinzano: Champion, Convict and Legend by Daniel Torres Rodríguez tells the story of Cinzano, a racehorse whose career was marked by triumph and scandal. Initially purchased by Roberto Forné at an auction, Cinzano showed immense potential under the training of Pablo Gelsi. He quickly became a standout in Uruguay, winning major races like the Polla de Potrillos and Gran Premio Nacional. However, his career took a dark turn after being sold to the U.S. and his subsequent mysterious death in an accident. It's later revealed that Cinzano had been switched with another horse, Lebón, leading to a fraud investigation. Veterinarian Mark Gerard, who orchestrated the switch, was charged with fraud, bribery, and witness tampering. His wife Alice and assistant Jack Morgan were also implicated. The scandal shook the horse racing community, leading to new regulations, and lingering questions about horse racing integrity.

I did not know anything about this horse before reading Cinzano: Champion, Convict and Legend by Daniel Torres Rodríguez, and now I cannot stop thinking about him. I must point out that this book is nothing at all like Nack's Secretariat, and comparing them is a terrible disservice to Rodriguez. Their stories are nothing alike, so readers can pick up Cinzano and know they are getting an original perspective on a totally different horse, one whose impact on the world of racing is beyond just being good. It is more of a legal drama. Rodriguez adeptly captures Cinzano's rise in racing but wisely chooses to home in on the darker fraud that rocked the horse racing world. The court proceedings are exhaustively researched and while I can see this book being a treat for racing enthusiasts, its construction is surprisingly well aligned with those in the legal profession. The writing is simple and straightforward, and, overall, this is a thoughtful, interesting, and informative read.