The Travers 150 Years of Saratoga's Greatest Race

About the Book

First contested in 1864, the Travers is the oldest race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds in the United States. It has been won by numerous immortals of the sport, including Man o’ War, Twenty Grand, Whirlaway, Native Dancer, Gallant Man, Buckpasser, Damascus, and Holy Bull, among others. The race’s 150th renewal will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.

The book was published through a grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust and endorsed by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. “The Travers: 150 Years of Saratoga’s Greatest Race” chronicles each edition of the race from Kentucky’s victory in the inaugural running in 1864 through Catholic Boy’s win in the 2018 edition. The book’s foreword was contributed by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who has won the Travers a record six times.

Along with comprehensive accounts of each of the first 149 runnings of the Travers, the book includes a biography on the race’s namesake, William R. Travers; a chapter on Saratoga’s racing origins; overviews of each decade’s racing at the track, complete Travers statistics; a look at the race’s unique traditions; and much more.

Many renowned artists and photographers made substantial contributions to the book. Artists include Greg Montgomery, who provided the cover art, as well as Robert Clark, Sharon Crute, Rich Gabriel, Nick Martinez, Audrey Mennefee, Gwen Reardon, Celeste Susany, and Yvonne Todd. Featured photographers include Jesse Caris, the New York Racing Association’s Adam and Bob Coglianese, Skip Dickstein, Tom Killips, Barbara Livingston, and Tod Marks. Historical artists and photographers highlighted in the book include Anthony Alonso, Richard Stone Reeves, Edward Troye, Henry Stull, C. C. Cook, John Hemment, Bill Mochon, Bernard Stanley Morgan, Mike Pender, and L. S. Sutcliffe. Imagery was sourced through the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, The BloodHorse, Keeneland Library, Ken Grayson Collection, Library of Congress, NYRA, Saratoga Springs History Museum, and the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

Meet the Authors

Brien Bouyea is a well-respected figure in the world of horse racing. As the Hall of Fame and Communications Director at the National Museum of Racing, Bouyea brings years of expertise and passion for the sport. A former executive sports editor for The Saratogian, his writing has been honored by both the national Associated Press Sports Editors and the New York News Publishers Association. Bouyea's previous book, Bare Knuckles and Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey, was widely praised for its historical depth and insight. A Saratoga resident, Bouyea is deeply connected to the area’s racing heritage and remains a regular contributor to Saratoga Living magazine and other notable publications.

Michael Veitch spent four decades covering thoroughbred racing as the lead writer for The Saratogian and its racing supplement, The Pink Sheet. A native of Saratoga Springs, Veitch has written extensively on the history of Saratoga racing and has authored several books, including Foundations of Fame, Summit of Champions, and Legacy of Excellence. Veitch is a trustee of the National Museum of Racing and chairs its Hall of Fame Historic Review Committee. Recognized for his contributions to racing journalism, Veitch was inducted into the Saratoga Springs History Museum’s Hall of Fame and continues to be a prominent voice in the racing world.