Horse racing Books

Book SynopsisWHEN YOU'RE AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME, ONE PHONE CALL CAN BRING IT ALL CRASHING DOWN . . . THE BRAND NEW NOVEL FROM THE MASTER OF THE RACING THRILLER. ______________________Chester Newton is a successful racehorse syndicate organiser and his company, Victrix Racing, is having its best year yet. When his prized horse, Potassium, wins the world-famous Epsom Derby, Chester is set to become the next big thing in British horse racing. But one phone call changes everything. Someone hiding behind a voice scrambler and an untraceable phone is demanding he fixes a race - and they're willing to go after Chester's family if he fails to comply. Chester's business is the only thing in his life that isn't falling apart. With his marriage on the rocks and his children growing increasingly distant, he is not willing to let someone destroy the success he's spent his life building. Then his daughter is kidnapped and, very suddenly, it's not just his livelihood that's on the line. Now Chester must discover just how far he will go to protect his family . . . PRAISE FOR FELIX FRANCIS:'Felix Francis' novels gallop along splendidly' - JILLY COOPER'From winning post to top of the bestseller lists' - SUNDAY TIMES'The master of suspense and intrigue' - COUNTRY LIFE'A story of skulduggery, conspiracy and dodgy dealings' - YORKSHIRE TIMES'A gripping tale' - DAILY EXPRESS'The pages fly by' - HORSE & HOUND

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Book SynopsisPresents the story of The Byerley Turk, one of the original thoroughbred horses from which racing stock descend. This book describes the story of the horse and his owner, Captain Byerley.

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Book SynopsisMonty Roberts, known as 'The Man Who Listens to Horses', leads an extraordinary life. An award-winning trainer of championship horses, bestselling author, Hollywood stunt man, foster dad to forty-seven children (in addition to three of his own) and creator of the world-renowned and revolutionary equine training technique Join-Up, Roberts has won countless awards and received immense worldwide press coverage. He trains horses for the Queen and has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Zurich and the University of Parma. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals honored Roberts with their Founders Award. He is now much in demand as a motivational speaker and executives from groups as diverse as the CIA to Volkswagen have invited him to share his experiences with their leaders. He lives at Flag is Up Farms in Solvang, California, with his wife, Pat.Trade ReviewWild horses should not drag you away from finding out more about Monty Roberts * Independent *The horse whisperer in action... more exciting than his fictional counterpart * Observer *Contains enough plotlines to keep Dick Francis busy for years * Spectator *For anyone who cares about animals and would like to get on with them better, it is required reading -- John Oaksey * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisA RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICKWINNER STANFORD TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS 2020SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL PRIZE 2019'Such an addictive and likeable book...One of this year's best memoirs' The Telegraph'It's the resistance to the obvious narratives that makes Rough Magic so appealing: the book undermines lazy women-in-the-wilderness tropes at every turn.' Sarah Moss, Guardian'Think Educated meets Wild' Entertainment Weekly'Rough Magic is transporting, beguiling and terrifically entertaining' Daily MailThe Mongol Derby is the world's toughest horse race. A feat of endurance across the vast Mongolian plains once traversed by the people of Genghis Khan, competitors ride 25 horses across a distance of 1000km. Many riders don't make it to the finish line.In 2013 Lara Prior-Palmer - nineteen, underprepared but seeking the great unknown - decided to enter the race. Driven by her own restlessness, stubbornness, and a lifelong love of horses, she raced for seven days through extreme heat and terrifying storms, catching a few hours of sleep where she could at the homes of nomadic families. Battling bouts of illness and dehydration, exhaustion and bruising falls, she found she had nothing to lose, and tore through the field with her motley crew of horses. In one of the Derby's most unexpected results, she became the youngest-ever champion and the first woman to win the race.A tale of adventure, fortitude and poetry, Rough Magic is the extraordinary story of one young woman's encounter with oblivion, and herself.Trade ReviewThink the next Educated or Wild. Palmer’s memoir of beating the odds to become a horse champion is an inspiring saga of perseverance — and a classic underdog tale. * Entertainment Weekly *Prior-Palmer's style is a fascinating mix of pep and poignancy. A really terrific story by a spirited new voice. * Sara Baume *[Prior-Palmer's] gorgeous, sensual depiction of this race is a literary marvel; it feels like you are riding alongside her across the desolate steppes; her verbal acuity makes vivid the most elusive of landscapes; her triumph becomes ours. * NYLON *In this sensual, spiritual memoir, Prior-Palmer recounts her grueling journey through immense physical hardship, and her surprising transformation from underdog to champion * Esquire *Absolutely riveting. * Buzzfeed *

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Book SynopsisThe Racing Post Guide to the Flat is the best-selling book every Flat racing enthusiast should have. It features exclusive trainer interviews and specialist selections for horses to follow, plus dark horses set to shine in the months ahead, as well as Topspeed and Racing Post Ratings.

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Book SynopsisImmortals explores the remarkable stories of 50 great racehorse champions, focusing on horses in and beyond Europe.Since National Hunt racing was first standardised in the 19th century, countless winter warriors have given the jump-racing public limitless joy, and filled our memories with wonder and respect. Every steeplechaser and hurdler that has ever raced has given its connections a thrill but very few can truly be thought of as great'.Starting with a Grand National hero from the turn of the 20th century, and continuing through to the present day, this evocative book uncovers tales about legends of the jump-racing world who were trained in the UK, Ireland, France and even in the USA and Australia.Written with humour, passion and solid research, this book is an essential read for race lovers around the world, both young and old.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''A masterpiece from the master of equine fiction. Truly sensational from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review''Tense, tautly-written, with memorable characters - an absolute cracker'' 5***** Reader Review______Bert Checkov, a racing correspondent, drunkenly confesses to fellow Fleet Street hack James Tyrone that he''s been giving his readers tips for years.Five minutes later, Checkov falls out of a seventh-floor window. Tyrone is convinced there''s more to Checkov''s death than meets the eye. When he starts digging, he discovers that many of Checkov''s tips never even made it to the start. But the deeper Tyrone gets, the dirtier and more dangerous this business appears to be.If he''s not careful, he''ll be following Checkov to his death . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Flying FTrade ReviewA regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisMiscellaneous matters are what keep us fascinated by what’s going on around us while we indulge our own favourite interests. If one of those interests happens to be horseracing, then The Racing Post Horseracing Miscellany, full of marvellously magnificent moments - many magically memorable - from racing’s several centuries of excellent equine existence, and an amazing, amusing, absorbing collection of little-known jockey japes, trainer and turf trivia, owner observations, punter punditry and bookie banter, is a book you will love. Every race meeting produces winners and also-rans, but every off-beat, intriguing story chronicled in this cornucopia of course and distance action will be an odds-on favourite with racegoers young and old. As the title suggests, you'll find literally thousands of little-known, unexpected yarns, tales and stories from the off to the finish line; the starting stalls to the winning post, the first to the last page. And you can bet it’s an odds-on shot you'll know you have really backed a winner.

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Book SynopsisThe moving true story of an ordinary Welsh woman who dreamed of breeding a race horse, and Dream Alliance, who defied the odds to become a champion and brought a community together.Janet Vokes was working behind the bar in her local working men’s club in the small Welsh mining community of Cefn Fforest when she fixed upon the idea of breeding a racehorse. She'd always loved animals, having dabbled in showing whippets and racing pigeons, and her husband Brian used to be a rag and bone man with a horse of his own. Why shouldn't a working-class horse take on the high flyers in the rarified world of racing? She bought a mare for £350, paired her up with a pedigree stallion and helped to create a syndicate of twenty-three friends from the village – each paying £10 a week – to raise the resulting foal, Dream Alliance. He may have grown up on an allotment but Dream Alliance had star quality, beating all the odds to become a winner at a number of world-class racetracks. Then a terrible injury to his leg threatened not just his career but his life. Refusing to have him put down, the syndicate paid for experimental surgery and Dream Alliance went on to not only make a full recovery but win the Welsh Grand National.Funny and charming, Dream Horse by Janet Vokes is the extraordinary story of a woman who defied the snobbery of the racing world to breed a champion, and a remarkable horse who brought a community together.

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Book SynopsisThe Thrilling and Emotional Memoir from Endurance Horse Racing Legend Sanoma Blakeley Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion is the incredible, action-packed memoir of Sanoma Blakeley’s 2019 Tevis Cup championship, won while riding her beloved horse Goober, and the tale of how she became the youngest woman to ever become a Tevis Cup champion. Beginning her endurance riding career at the age of seven, Blakeley writes about the years of training and teamwork required to win the most challenging and famous 100-mile horse race in the world aboard a horse she had originally acquired for free off of Craigslist. Blakeley places readers on the ride with her so that they can experience the thrill of the most exciting horse endurance race in existence. Blakeley and Goober survive narrow mountain trails winding through the Sierra-Nevadas, containing over 19,000 feet of elevation gain; three steep, grueling canyons; crossing the shoulder-high American River; riding at night with only the light of the moon to guide them; temperatures that soared over 115 degrees; and, most excitingly, the final neck-and-neck sprint to the finish against a four-time Tevis Cup champion and world class competitor after 100 miles of some of the most rugged mountain trails in the world.When Blakeley and Goober cross the finish line just a few feet ahead of their competition and Blakeley becomes the youngest woman in history to win the Tevis Cup, a lifetime of hard work that began when the author started training as a small child and who had long dreamed of winning the Tevis Cup was finally rewarded. Chasing Dreams contains action, heartwarming twists, and an epic ending that will leave readers in tears.Trade Review“Chasing Dreams is a very fun ride. Sanoma Blakeley is a vivid writer and you feel like you are right there on the trail with her—covered in dust, in the forest, racing along the course with her and her family. I stayed up way too late reading this book as I just couldn’t put it down!”—Heather Reynolds, legendary endurance rider“Chasing Dreams is a remarkably personal journey of a girl and her horse as they chase their dream. Sanoma Blakeley’s engaging tale—from little tyke’s first ride on a big horse to Tevis Cup champion—recounts what it takes along the way to make that dream come true: hard work, perseverance, and wonderful family support. She tells of the joys, heartbreaks, fears, and, ultimately, the bravery it takes to put it all on the line in the world’s toughest 100-mile endurance ride, the Tevis Cup.”—Merri Melde, The Equestrian Vagabond “An improbable underdog story that belongs alongside Rocky and Rudy.”—Central Oregon Daily News “Chasing Dreams is a remarkable book. Having known Sanoma Blakeley personally from a very young age, I always felt that she had it in herself to make history in the future. Sanoma’s writing style displays humbleness and a deep respect for her family and her horses. What a pleasure and eye opener it is to follow her through one of the greatest accomplishments in her life: Winning the famous 100-mile Tevis Cup! Chasing Dreams is worth reading from the very beginning to the last word at the end; it’s a book that reveals all the experienced drama and emotions of a young woman who is sharing her adventures with us all, and, at the same time, teaching us a thing or two about life.”—Christoph Schork, endurance rider and owner of Global Endurance Training Center “In Chasing Dreams, Sanoma Blakeley opens up a whole new world of excitement and insider details about the sport of endurance riding. Sanoma takes you with her on her long-distance training rides as well as competitions, highlighting the 100-Mile Tevis Cup. You experience the thrills and the disappointments, the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and her partnerships with her horses. Sanoma shares so many interesting facts about the sport that you will find it hard to put this book down!”—Genie Stewart-Spears, equine photographer and journalist “Chasing Dreams is a brilliant book about the outdoors, sports, and achievement. Sanoma Blakeley tells, and demonstrates, how success is about preparation, determination, and team effort, but most of all about showing up to do the work.”—Fresh Fiction “Who doesn’t love a great story where hard work and determination pays off!”—Cowgirl magazine

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Book SynopsisPunters have never had it so good. In a world of rapidly progressive technology and ever-changing ways to bet, the days of punting solely in the betting shop and on the racecourse are long gone. Since the invention of Betfair in 2000 and the mass move online, bookmakers have never been closer to their customers. Punters are able to place bets at the click of a button - on the move, from the pub and even in the office - and the gambling industry has boomed because of it. Football has taken over as the market leader but horseracing is still hugely popular, while odds on other popular sports have opened them up to a fresh audience - the punters. But in a world of flickering screens and rifling numbers can come confusion. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned bettor, the Racing Post Betting Guide provides a lighter look at betting in the current climate, covering horseracing, football and other major sports such as golf, cricket and tennis. The views of our unparelled team of experts can help shape your thinking. Call on the Racing Post's unrivalled expertise, soak up all the knowledge you can and become a better bettor. Among the chapters to consider are: Ten top tips by Pricewise supremo Tom Segal-Studying the form by tipping judge Paul Kealy-Football accas and in-play by Mark Langdon-Punting at the big festivals by David Jennings-Golf betting and the Majors by Steve Palmer-Betting on the favourites by Richard Birch-Tackling the handicaps by Keith Melrose. Other forms of betting covered are: Betting exchanges, pool betting, multiple bets, ante-post betting, pedigree punting plus betting on NFL, darts, rugby, UFC and cycling plus more!

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Book SynopsisHow well do you know your racing? You follow the form, share in the agony of defeat and the elation of success, but how much of that information do you remember? The Racing Post Quiz Book will provide hours of entertainment and challenge horse racing know-it-alls to prove themselves. Categories range from where this uniquely historic sport started right up to the modern day, taking in the best horses, most successful trainers, the heroic jockeys and many more besides. With 1,000 questions, many fiendish, some infuriating, this is the ultimate test for any racing fan.

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Book SynopsisAfter all this time Frankie Dettori still ranks amongst the all-time greats of the sport' LESTER PIGGOTTAn autobiography as gripping as any Dick Francis thriller' YORKSHIRE POSTEndearingly honest a fastpaced, funny autobiography' COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINELegendary jockey, Frankie Dettori, shares his remarkable life story in this astonishingly intimate autobiography.When Lanfranco Frankie' Dettori arrived on British shores in 1985, aged just 14, he couldn't speak a word of English. Having left school just a year earlier and following in the footsteps of his father, he was eager to become a stable boy and apprentice jockey, willing to do everything it took to make it. This was his first, but certainly not his last, leap of faith.Despite his slight size, Frankie's impact upon the British racing scene was immediate and significant. Brimming with confidence, charisma and personality, and with what was clearly a precocious talent, in 1990 he became the first teenager since Lester Piggot to win o

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Book SynopsisNick Townsend was, for many years, a sports feature writer on the Daily Mail before joining the Independent on Sunday, initially as football correspondent and later chief sports writer. He is currently a freelance writer, predominantly for the Sunday Times. He collaborated with Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Ben Ainslie on their autobiographies. He is a long-time confidant of Barney Curley and assisted him with his acclaimed life story Giving A Little Back. He lives with his wife Louise in Oxfordshire.Trade ReviewNick Townsend tells the story with panache, helped by a close acquaintance with the Irish mastermind of the scheme, Barney Curley, a name which bookmakers have had reason to curse on several occasions… It gets properly into its stride when it focuses on the coup, which in its innovative daring calls to mind The Italian Job. * Independent on Sunday *The full story of how the legendary gambler does it is unveiled. It helps if you know your way around racing, but if you don’t this book will make you want to get clued-up fast. * Daily Sport *This is an enthralling read, extremely entertaining, and a revealing insight into one of horse racing’s most colourful, and controversial, characters * The Press *Fascinating… written with commendable skill and verve. It is a very readable book. Curley and his coups combine to make a unique story, well told. * Racing Post *This is a brilliant read. Love horse racing or not, you won’t be able to put it down once the action gets going. I just can't wait for the BBC to snap up the rights. * Wexford People *

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Book Synopsis In every sport there are a select few competitors who come to define the excellence that all others aspire to. In “the sport of kings,” there is one that stands alone. Northern Dancer is not only a Canadian legend, but the cornerstone of his breed. It has been estimated that 70 percent of the thoroughbreds alive today are his descendants, which includes the majority of the horses running in the biggest races around the world. His offspring received record-breaking prices on the auction floor. More than his prepotence as a sire, Northern Dancer is known for his legendary 1964 campaign, which saw him win two of the Triple Crown races in the U.S. and Canada’s Queen’s Plate. In that time, he captured the attention of the world and the hearts of all Canadians. In Northern Dancer, the world-famous horse comes alive through the people whose lives he touched: E.P. Taylor, the visionary industrialist whose web of business placed him at the end

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Book SynopsisThe biographical history of a Canadian horse racing dynasty and their rise from underdogs to the top of the thoroughbred racing world.

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Book SynopsisKatherine C. Mooney recaptures the sights, sensations, and illusions of America’s first mass spectator sport. Her central characters are not the elite white owners of slaves and thoroughbreds but the black jockeys, grooms, and horse trainers who called themselves race horse men and made the racetrack run—until Jim Crow drove them from their jobs.Trade ReviewKatherine Mooney’s enthralling account of an all-but-forgotten population of elite slaves in the American South reads like a novel. Race Horse Men is both the story of 19th century thoroughbred racing—‘America’s first mass-audience sport’—and a detailed portrait of the expert equestrian slaves and free black horsemen upon whose competence in the stables wealthy white ‘turfmen’ depended… Mooney makes a strong case for why these forgotten histories continue to illuminate systems of inequality to this day. -- Thomas Chatterton Williams * San Francisco Chronicle *It is that history—of rich white men, enslaved black men, and the birth of American horse racing—that Katherine C. Mooney tells in Race Horse Men. Scholarly yet accessible, the book argues that far from subverting the racist notions of the slave-holding South, black horsemen were seen as ‘the perfect slaves, precisely calibrated extensions of a master’s will’ and ‘central figures in turfmen’s vision of the harmony of a slave society.’ -- Kate Tuttle * Boston Globe *Mooney’s book draws on the stories and memoirs of a range of figures across racing, as the sport became simultaneously a Southern specialty and an object of popular fascination. Race Horse Men is stitched out of these portraits, many of which are wonderfully effective in revealing just how ambiguous, for example, the situation of enslaved grooms, trainers, jockeys, and breeding-shed managers could be… Mooney’s book is at its strongest when it peers not into the clubhouse but out into the stables… She positions her history to thread together a large chunk of time, when racing carried the burden of chattel slavery and civil war. -- Eric Banks * Chronicle of Higher Education *Black men were active in 19th-century racing, most prominent in the South, as jockeys, grooms, and trainers for this first large spectator sport in the United States… But Mooney shows how white resentment of black presence and success at the race track increased. Whites feared that the example of success that these race-horse men set would incite other blacks to demand more rights and become violent. With the rise of Jim Crow in the South, blacks were driven out of the sport. -- Patsy Gray * Library Journal *Writing with exceptional polish and élan, Katherine Mooney succeeds brilliantly at restoring humanity to black jockeys and trainers. This superb book says as much about the cruelties and distortions wrought by racism in nineteenth-century America as any single book can. -- W. Fitzhugh Brundage, author of The Southern Past: A Clash of Race and MemoryKatherine Mooney leads us inside the paddock and beyond the finish line to reveal how horse racing shaped American society and molded race relations. In doing so, she brings to life the struggles of numerous individuals long lost to history. The result is an eye-opening and important book. -- Louis P. Masur, author of Lincoln’s Hundred Days: The Emancipation Proclamation and the War for the UnionKatherine Mooney gives us a vivid, pioneering study of the horse-racing world, a mainstay of nineteenth-century American and Southern culture. Her portrayal of the lives of black jockeys is a revelation. She uses sporting drama to illuminate the interplay between callousness and selective personal affection that pervaded white attitudes toward blacks. -- Melvin Patrick Ely, author of Israel on the Appomattox: A Southern Experiment in Black Freedom from the 1790s Through the Civil War

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Book SynopsisThe image of the Derby winner with his leg in plaster was broadcast around the world. Alongside Mill Reef stood a baby-faced man who had won the Arc, the King George, the Eclipse, and now the Derby. He trained for the Queen and Queen Mother; and Lester Piggott, Willie Carson and Frankie Dettori all rode for him, but where had he come from and how had he got there?Ian Balding''s story is one of heartbreaking loss and outrageous good luck. He left Cambridge without a degree but with a rugby blue, and became one of the outstanding amateur sportsmen of his generation. Balding''s burgeoning talent was quickly noticed and he was soon running Peter Hastings-Bass'' stables at Kingsclere. Ian had no money and no experience of running a business, but he learnt fast. In Making the Running, Ian Balding reveals the pressure of maintaining the pace and shares the highs and lows of the sport of kings.Trade Reviewgripping reading... a real must for all racing fans * Sun *

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Book SynopsisRed Rum''s classic win in the 1977 Grand National is the stuff of sporting legend. Red himself became a national treasure, and his charismatic trainer - the redoubtable Ginger McCain - became a sporting hero. While the public adored Ginger, there were those who sniped that he was a one-horse trainer. All that changed 27 years later when, in a thrilling race, Ginger won his fourth National with Amberleigh House, equalling the record of Fred Rimmer. Once again Ginger had taken the sporting world by storm. In the 70s, the popularity of Red Rum and Ginger almost single-handedly saved the great race when there were plans afoot to turn the track into a housing estate. Ginger himself is a remarkable individual - charming, forthright, not afraid to speak his mind and a hugely entertaining raconteur. This is his story, at times funny, sad, exciting and always captivating, told in his own inimitable style.

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Book SynopsisFrom the length of the track and the need to ride small horses, to the risks, techniques, and training methods involved in racing, Meijer recreates ancient Rome's favorite pastime in impressive detail.Trade ReviewFans of Ben Hur will find this very readable book entertaining and informative... It is an in-your-seat, in-your-face ancient history worthy of any bookshelf. -- David Lee Poremba Past In Review 2010 Readers will find an excellent overview of knowledge... The material is presented in a way which both interested lay people and undergraduate students will readily digest. -- John D. Muccigrosso Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2010 This is definitely a 'must have' book for your library. The Lone Star 2010Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsChronologyIntroduction1. The Nika Riot: Thirty Thousand Dead in the Hippodrome2. Chariot Races of the First Century BC and Earlier3. The Circus Maximus4. Preparation and Organization5. A Day at the Circus Maximus6. The Heroes of the Arena7. The Spectators8. Changes around the Racetrack9. The Heroes of the Hippodrome10. The Disappearance of Chariot Racing11. Ben-Hur: Chariot Racing in the MoviesList of RacetracksNotesGlossarySelected BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe first Japanese American jockey, Kokomo Joe burst like a comet on the American horse-racing scene in the summer of 1941. As war with Japan loomed, Yoshio ""Kokomo Joe"" Kobuki won race after race. His is a story of the American dream catapulting headlong into the nightmare of a nation gripped by wartime hysteria and xenophobia. His story is at once inspiring, deeply sad, and richly ironic.Trade Review“Christgau masterfully unearths a story about a small man with a giant spirit struggling to realize a dream in the midst of racial hatred and war.”—Satsuki Ina, producer of From a Silk Cocoon“John Christgau has given us the bittersweet story of ‘Kokomo Joe’ Kobuki, who carried the American dream on his tiny shoulders, and of those whose fear of others tried to wrest the dream from him.”—Stephen Fox, author of Fear Itself: Inside the FBI Roundup of German Americans during World War II"Through his detailed writing Christgau makes Kokomo Joe's rise representative of the rise of Japanese America."—Kerwin Berk, Nichi Bei TimesTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgments1. The Pocket Baby2. Kokomo Joe3. Mister Charley4. Brilliant Queen5. The Yankee Doodle Boys6. Joltin' Joe7. The Railbird Witch8. The Oriental Invaders9. Lumberjacks and Truckers10. Joe Btfsplk11. Miserable Saboteurs12. Nipponese Dynamite13. Hoover's Lists14. Fibber McGee15. The Whiz Kid with the Jive Drive16. The Canadian Mounties17. Chester from Gunsmoke18. StargazersSources

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Book SynopsisThis riveting account of the most notorious unsolved crime in the history of horse racing will captivate serious racing fans and aficionados as well as entertain a new generation of horse racing enthusiasts.

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Book SynopsisRemembers a blockbuster event and its legacy for American racing.Table of ContentsIntroduction American Dreams Progress Rancocas Tempest British Invasion America First Magnificent Losers

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Book SynopsisFor a few months in 1982, Landaluce was a national celebrity. In her second start, just one week after claiming her maiden, the two-year-old filly won the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by 21 lengths a margin of victory that remains the largest ever in any race by a two-year-old at Hollywood Park. Landaluce was poised to become the next American super-horse. But those dreams ended when the two-year-old died in her stall at Santa Anita four months later, the victim of a swift and mysterious illness. Today, with the ''I Love Luce'' bumper stickers long-gone, the filly has been largely forgotten. In Landaluce: Forever a Champion, Mary Perdue tells the story of a filly whose short but meteoric racing career could have changed racing history forever. In doing so, Perdue also explores the lives and careers of the breeders, owners and trainer, as well as her famous sire, Seattle Slew. From breeder Leslie Combs, who grew Spendthrift farm into a 4,000 acre powerhouse while standing over 40 of the mos

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive history of the Belair Stud and its impact on the American Thoroughbred industry.Table of ContentsPrologue A New King in Town Familial Ambition Here Comes the Sun The Queen Bears and Heir A Bumpy Road The Fox Comes Aroud Roses Are Red In Pursuit of a Crown The Fox Rolls On A Dandy Show Record Breaker Boys and Girls Second Generation Following the Fox The Son Gets His Crown The Belair Bullet Rolls On An Unexpected Stop Trailblazer The Big Show The Adventure's End The Road to Omaha Epilogue

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Book SynopsisPresents a unique focus on the racing career and legacy of Sir BartonTable of ContentsForeword Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThe decision, which came to fruition three years after Hoots's death, would set in motion a story that would forever change Thoroughbred racing.In Dream Derby: The Myth and Legend of Black Gold, author Avalyn Hunter explores the personalities and histories that surrounded Black Gold.Table of ContentsPrologue A Man and a Mare Useeit's Odyssey The Queen of Juarez A Month in New Orleans Ruled Off A Woman of Two Worlds Bradley's Luck Gold and Turmoil Three Fingers and a Chief Baby Steps Hot Property One Man's Dream Mr. Derby Kentucky Trial Summer of Futility J.D. Mooney Converging Paths Slim Chance Season's End The Road Less Traveled Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Kentucky Bound Preparations Waiting Game Falling Dominoes And Then There Were None Derby Trial Golden Jubilee Derby Aftermath The Final Mile Epilogue

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Book SynopsisAfter two posthumous collections Lynd’s reputation declined, but forty years on the work of this autobiographer, critic and social observer re-emerges with all its original vitality. These diverse and entertaining essays will give enduring pleasure to a new generation of readers.Trade ReviewAt times humorous, reflective and anecdotal, bearing witness to the political and cultural events of his day and yet, withal, holding a timeless appeal. It is an excellent selection of Lynd at his most forceful… Here is the voice of a truly great Ulsterman.’ – Peter Berresford Ellis, Irish Democrat ‘This selection of essays covers a host of topics with zest and elegance and humour.’ – Robert Greacen, Irish Independent ‘It can’t have been easy to choose the essays, since they all attain a high degree of competence and readability.’ – Patricia Craig, The Irish TimesAt times humorous, reflective and anecdotal, bearing witness to the political and cultural events of his day and yet, withal, holding a timeless appeal. It is an excellent selection of Lynd at his most forceful… Here is the voice of a truly great Ulsterman.’ – Peter Berresford Ellis, Irish Democrat ‘This selection of essays covers a host of topics with zest and elegance and humour.’ – Robert Greacen, Irish Independent ‘It can’t have been easy to choose the essays, since they all attain a high degree of competence and readability.’ – Patricia Craig, The Irish Times

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Book SynopsisTells the inspiring true tale of a one-eyed, club-footed thoroughbred racehorse and a journeyman trainer, Tim Snyder, who scraped together every penny he had to purchase the broken and unwanted filly.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Suspense, intrigue, what more could you want? Dick Francis at his best'' 5***** Reader Review''A dazzlingly good read. Francis writes heroes who are truly heroic, and villains so truly villainous that each encounter with them raises your temperature'' 5***** Reader Review______Steeplechase jockey Kit Fielding has just ridden another winner for his patron - the Princess - when his distraught twin sister Holly comes to him with terrible news. A newspaper is printing stories which will put her husband, Bobby Allardeck, and his stables out of business.Putting aside the age-old Fielding-Allardeck feud, Kit decides to try to find out who is behind these cruel stories. This, he quickly discovers, puts a lot of noses out of joint. Not one to be put off easily, he keeps digging, upsetting powerful and ruthless people who''ll do anything to proTrade ReviewA regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end. * Sunday Telegraph *Francis at his authentic best * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Loads of twists and turns throughout keeps you drawn along. Terrific'' 5***** Reader Review''Outstanding. Dick Francis delivers in this action-packed thriller that is impossible to put down'' 5***** Reader Review______Sid Halley, ex-champion jockey turned investigator, is facing his toughest test.A number of horses have been brutally mutilated, horrifying their owners and the general public. Even Sid''s friend, broadcaster Ellis Quint, has been moved to make a shocking programme about it.But when Sid is asked to look into the case, the evidence he uncovers points in a startling direction and he finds that his head must overrule his heart. As friends and associates are angered by his discoveries, Sid is drawn into a terrible web of conspiracy and intrigue.Escape will require all his legendary wits and cunnTrade ReviewFrancis is firmly in the saddle and leaving the opposition standing * Sunday Telegraph *Francis writing at his best * Evening Standard *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''One of the best Dick Francis books ever! You just cannot put down'' 5***** Reader Review''Outstanding. The writing is excellent and the plots are engaging from the first line'' 5***** Reader Review______Jockey Kit Fielding''s patron, Princess Casilia, is in trouble. Her husband is being threatened by a ruthless business partner who wants to use the firm to manufacture arms.At the same time, some of the Princess''s best horses are being killed - shot by a bolt. The only person the Princess can turn to is Kit - but he has problems of his own. His fiancé Danielle has taken a shine to another man. And his old feud with Maynard Allardeck, racing steward and hereditary enemy of the Fieldings, might lose him his license to race.Between riding winners and trying to save his impending marriage, Kit has somehow to find out and stTrade ReviewA regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''A galloping good yarn, as fast paced as any horse race an utterly entertaining'' 5***** Reader Review''Fast paced action from start to finish, Dick Francis is the champion author'' 5***** Reader Review''A keep you up all night book, I could hardly bear to put this down'' 5***** Reader Review______At midnight, Neil Griffon''s home is broken into and he is abducted by masked men.When he wakes up, hours later, Neil discovers that unless he cooperates, his kidnappers will destroy his father''s racing stable, his precious horses and even Neil himself.Returning to the stables, Neil can tell no one about his ordeal, or his kidnappers'' threats of violence if he does not comply with their demands.Trapped, Neil refuses to surrender - and devises an ingenious scheme to beat his kidnappers at their own game . . .Trade ReviewUnbeatable * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Another exciting read that keeps you on the edge of your seat'' 5***** Reader Review''Grabbed my attention from the beginning . . . One of Dick Francis'' best!'' 5***** Reader Review''Excellent characterisations, believable villains and wonderful plots'' 5***** Reader Review______Gene Hawkins is a fixer for his boss Mr Keeble: if Keeble has a problem, Gene goes and fixes it. It''s that simple. Sometimes it requires the Luger he carries - mostly it doesn''t.Now Keeble has summoned Gene back from a long-overdue holiday. It seems that a very expensive stallion has been taken in Kentucky. It''s the third high-value kidnapping in a few years. Keeble wants his horse back - and it''s Gene''s job to go out there and find it.But what Gene doesn''t know is that he''s about to get involved with blackmailers and murderers. Looks like that Lugar will see some use . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Blood Sport is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis.Praise for Dick Francis:''As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing'' Daily Mirror''The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish'' Scotsman''Dick Francis''s fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader''s attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end'' Sunday Telegraph''A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever'' Sunday Express''The master of suspense and intrigue'' Country Life''Francis writing at his best'' Evening Standard''Still the master'' Racing PostTrade ReviewThe narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish * Scotsman *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *Francis writing at his best * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Great plot, non-stop action and great bad guys . . . What''s not to like?'' 5***** Reader Review''Draws you in in the first five seconds and doesn''t let go'' 5***** Reader Review''Dick Francis is a master at holding attention throughout'' 5***** Reader Review______Seventeen-year-old Benedict Juliard''s ambitions of becoming a steeplechase jockey are dashed when he''s falsely accused of taking drugs.For his estranged father, however, this is an opportunity. A wealthy businessman running for a parliamentary by-election in Dorset, Juliard Senior needs all the help he can get - especially when the campaign moves from mudslinging to something more deadly.Now young Benedict has to grow up fast - not only to find out who is trying to harm his father''s chances of election, but also to keep him alive long enough to stay inTrade ReviewUnbeatable * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Gripping from start to finish, a brilliant plot and fast paced'' 5***** Reader Review''Another brilliant adventure story from the inimitable Dick Francis. This story keeps you turning the pages eagerly'' 5***** Reader Review______Foreign Office diplomat Peter Darwin is returning to England, back to his childhood home of Gloucestershire. But instead of a pleasant trip down memory lane, Peter finds himself coming to the aid of a veterinary surgeon whose operating theatre is rapidly turning into an abattoir.A string of valuable racehorses have suffered unexplained deaths, and the police are baffled. When Darwin looks into the mystery, he finds that his connections - and memories - help him uncover criminal activities that stretch back all the way to his childhood.But the more Darwin uncovers, the closer he gets to a killer who juTrade ReviewAs a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Brilliant . . . I was riveted from the first to the last page'' 5***** Reader Review''Banker has it all: murder, heroics, low tricks and high finance. I highly recommend it'' 5***** Reader Review''Intelligent, well-paced, will grip you to the end'' 5***** Reader Review______Tim Ekaterin has a lot of money. Unfortunately, it belongs to other people, and it is his job to invest it wisely, or get fired.And right now he''s taken a big risk: using 5 million to stud a champion racing stallion.When the resulting foals have birth defects, Tim is worried and decides that there may be something else going on at the stables. And when one of those helping with the horses is murdered, his suspicions are confirmed.Now it''s not just about money, but about life and death. Determined to get answers, TimTrade ReviewA regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisNow updated with a new chapter, the definitive autobiography by A.P. McCoy.Trade Review'A careful and unfailingly generous memoir, with friends honoured, employers respected, opponents admired and family at the centre of everything. But, mainly, it is the story of winning, of talent allied to absolute single-mindedness, of a will to win that could power a small town' -- Steven Gerrard * Daily Mail *'This is a fast-paced read that gallops along breathlessly from record to record, horse to horse. It starts close to the finish - two hurdles from home aboard Box Office at Sandown - and you are gripped from that moment on' * Racing Post *'He comes across as a complex character - honest about himself, sometimes emotional, always single-minded and determined, brave and, finally, grounded. This is a lovely book about an extraordinary jockey and a special person' * Horse and Countryside magazine *

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