Holy Bull: An Unconventional Path to Racing Glory

By Avalyn Hunter

Holy Bull's path to glory was anything but ordinary. Born outside the Bluegrass and destined for racing's blue-collar ranks, this gray colt did not inspire Triple Crown dreams. Yet owner and trainer Warren "Jimmy" Croll saw his champion's potential. Croll and jockey Mike Smith took Holy Bull all the way to the Kentucky Derby, but a lethargic performance ended in a twelfth-place finish. This could have ended their aspirations, but the team came back stronger. Twenty-three days after the Derby, Holy Bull returned to dominate the rest of the racing season with incredible speed and drive.

Holy Bull: An Unconventional Path to Racing Glory captures the spirit of 1994's Horse of the Year, following Holy Bull's career from humble beginnings to the hall of fame and highlighting the experiences of the people behind his success. The result is a gripping portrait of a remarkable horse. A compelling account of an underdog's rise to greatness, Holy Bull contains the grit of the stables and the thrill of the racetrack.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1985904233
• ISBN13: 9781985904231
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Length: 166 Pages
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher