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Most recognize the legendary tale of Secretariat, the strikingly tall and handsome chestnut racehorse with a legacy rich in accolades: the single two-year-old to clinch the Horse of the Year title in 1972; the 1973 Triple Crown victor, whose records in all three races remain unbeaten; graced the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated; and notably, the only horse to feature on ESPN’s top 50 athletes of the 20th century, ranking higher than Mickey Mantle. His final race at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack is an enduring memory for equine enthusiasts worldwide. However, while Secretariat’s fame is immortal, one pivotal figure in his success, Eddie “Shorty” Sweat, has largely faded into obscurity– until now. In “The Horse God Built”, acclaimed equestrian author Lawrence Scanlan pays homage to this remarkable man and takes readers on an off-the-beaten-path journey into a lesser-explored facet of the racing world. As a young African American man from South Carolina, Eddie Sweat dabbled in various jobs before finding his true calling– grooming North America’s premier racehorses. As Secretariat’s groom, loyal companion, and guardian, Eddie had an unparalleled understanding of the horse. A man of profound generosity who could intuit a horse’s needs with just a glance, he may not have shared in the financial windfall or glamour of Secretariat’s racetrack victories, but his gentle words and unwavering dedication won over the heart of Big Red.