Charles Hatton was the pre-eminent turf writer in the US for decades and it his writing that inspired me to start Derby Trail '03. His annual Year in Review essays in the American Racing Manual are masterpieces. He, Evan Shipman, WHP Robertson and Hervey stand at the top of the profession, and lately Joe Hirsch, Ed Bowen and Steve Haskin continue their tradition.
Here's Hatton's immortal ode to Secretariat...
Weave for the mighty chestnut
A tributary crown
Of autumn flowers, the brightest then
When autumn leaves are brown.
Hang up his bridle on the wall,
His saddle on the tree,
Till time shall bring some racing king
Worthy to wear as he!
~Charles Hatton~
Haskin tells a great story of his first days at DRF when Hatton would send him for cups of scalding hot coffee... Hatton would take two sips and the cup would then be set aside and quickly get too cool for his taste... at which point the young Haskin would be dispatched to fetch a new, piping hot cup...