Welcome
Welcome to the website for Racing My Father, Growing Up with a Riding Legend. I
hope the site serves two purposes: One, to open up dialogue on a book for which
I have received many heart-warming letters. Two, to expand the reach of the book
beyond those interested in horses; RMF is directed at the general readership, as
well as those interested in horses, and has received some of its most positive
reviews from readers who have never touched a Thoroughbred or seen a
steeplechase race .
Click on “Media” and you can go directly to a documentary, The Later Years,
filmed and produced by my great friend, and talented filmmaker, Tom Iglehart,
and including a highly original soundtrack. For anyone who wished she could
actually see some of the scenes, action and characters of Racing My Father, the
film will be a rewarding experience. And for anyone who has not yet read RFM, I
hope that the film will lure him to click “Media” and to take a look at dozens
of reviews excerpted from newspapers and magazines.
Racingmyfather.com
is a way to reach back to readers who were inspired by the book, who are
spurring me to write a sequel (which is underway), and who regaled me with
incredible stories (all of which should be in still another book!) during my
year of book signings in 2006. Enjoy the photos and bio, and if you have
something to say, go to the blog to read some of the comments and remarks I’ve
received and to leave a few of your own.
About the Author
Patrick Smithwick has been working with horses all of his life. At a very young age he began working with his father, the legendary steeplechase jockey, A.P. Smithwick, who became a trainer after retiring from riding. Smithwick then worked his way through school and college by exercising Thoroughbreds at major East Coast racetracks and riding steeplechase races at such venues as Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, and hunt meets such as the Maryland Hunt Club and the Grand National..... (more)