Horse racing Books

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Book SynopsisDr Tony Ryan Award finalist, 2019''A wonderfully insightful, detailed and emotional biography of the legendary trainer''s later years'' Racing Post''[Cecil''s] is a remarkable story and it has now been told with compassion, love, honesty and wonderful insight by Tony Rushmer'' David Walsh, Sunday TimesWith a foreword by John GosdenWhen Henry Cecil sent out just 12 winners in 2005 it seemed as if the 10-time champion racehorse trainer''s career was in terminal decline. The masterly touch that he''d shown through the glory-days of the two previous decades appeared to have deserted him after a series of painful professional and personal blows, including the death of his twin brother David. When Cecil was diagnosed with cancer in June 2006, it would have been enough to break many a man. But behind the scenes, the master of Warren Place in Newmarket was determined not to be labelled - in his words - a ''hasTrade ReviewThe Triumph of Henry Cecil is a wonderfully insightful, detailed and emotional biography of the legendary trainer's later years . . . Rushmer does a superb job of highlighting just how the heroic trainer was able to make the impossible possible -- Andrew Wilsher * Racing Post *Henry Cecil was a great trainer of racehorses but that is not the reason he will be remembered. He was also a singular human being, with the emphasis on human. Close to his lowest ebb, he was diagnosed with cancer. It was up to him how he reacted to that. What happened over the following seven years is the stuff of heroism, one's man battle with terrifying adversity and a triumph greater than anything achieved during the halcyon years of his career. His is a remarkable story and it has now been told with compassion and love and honesty and wonderful insight by Tony Rushmer. The story of Cecil's last years and his training of Frankel, the greatest racehorse we've seen, needed to be properly told. Now, it has been -- David Walsh * Sunday Times *The complications of a trainer's life are vividly depicted in The Triumph of Henry Cecil, a biography of the ten times champion trainer's latter years, especially his handling of the superstar Frankel, by stable insider Tony Rushmer. You won't find a better chronicle of the ins and outs of the training life -- Robin Oakley * Spectator *A new book full of insights into Cecil and his final years -- Chris Cook * Guardian *An emotive biography -- Tom Richmond * Yorkshire Post *Brilliant insightful biography of a racing great -- Chris Mann * BBC Radio Cambridgeshire *Rushmer has succeeded in shining a light on a seven-year period when Cecil, in Kipling's words, met with triumph and disaster, treating those two imposters just the same. Frankel's career is well documented, but Rushmer has deftly detailed the symbiotic relationship between Cecil and the horse which was to define his life . . . For all those enthralled by the legend that is Sir Henry Cecil, Rushmer's book represents a new chapter in a story which will be forever woven into a racing tapestry as lush as the turf on the Heath which the man made his own -- Alison Hayes * Newmarket Journal *You won't find a better chronicle of the ins and outs of the training life . . . an endearing picture of the master trainer * Spectator *The book is a racing story and a must read for all racing fans and followers. But it will resonate on a wider level . . . Rushmer's book is well written, brilliantly researched and very easy (particularly if you love your racing) to read and devour -- Terry Redhead * Let’s Talk *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF INTERNATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2021 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS''An intelligent and often beautifully observed book'' Donald McRae, The Guardian''A must-read about a career which never dropped out of top gear'' Racing Post''A thoroughly engaging memoir. I can''t recommend this insightful autobiography enough'' Horse & Hound''A superior story: an honest and self-searching account of the glories and thrills but also the doubt and barren spells that visit even rampantly successful jockeys'' The Irish TimesThe riveting full-career autobiography of Barry Geraghty, one of the most successful jump jockeys in the sport''s history. Now retired, Geraghty takes his rightful place in the pantheon of greats that includes AP McCoy, Richard Johnson and Ruby Walsh.Barry Geraghty is an Irish horseracing legend.From his first win in 1997 he has gone on to ride almTrade ReviewAn intelligent and often beautifully observed book * The Guardian *True Colours is a frank, unfiltered tale of a racing icon. After reading the book, you appreciate the lengths Geraghty went to in pursuit of success. Readers are given incredible access to his life and it is a must-read about a career which never dropped out of top gear. * Racing Post *I can't recommend this insightful autobiography enough * Horse & Hound magazine *

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Book SynopsisExplores some of the sport''s most exciting showdowns and singular moments.

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Book SynopsisJosh Pons, a third-generation horseman and owner of Country Life Farm, depicts a century of life inside the horse business, written from inside the fences of Maryland's oldest Thoroughbred farm.In 2016, in the basement of his farmhouse, Josh Pons discovered thousands of letters from his grandfather's life in the Thoroughbred horse business. The son of a French cook who came to New York City in 1887, Adolphe Pons got his start working in the Fifth Avenue mansion of Gilded Age banker August Belmont II. Adolphe became his personal secretary, and later played a major role in Belmont's breeding and sale of the most famous horse in history: Man o' War. During the Great Depression, Adolphe left New York and bought a hundred-acre horse farm in Maryland, naming it Country Life after the station stop on the Long Island Railroad nearest his Garden City home.In serial form, Josh Pons expands on the column he wrote for the leading horse publication The BloodHorse, inviting readers

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Book SynopsisThe story of one of history’s fastest racehorses, a humiliating defeat, the steep price of striving at all costs, and an American era in which getting everything you ever wanted could be the most empty and unfulfilling sensation of all.Trade Review“The story we have here, in remarkable detail, [is] due in part to Mr. Gilden’s tenacity as a journalist and his willingness to search for the truth rather than pass along the same old stories.”—Max Watman, Wall Street Journal"Although many have voiced their opinions on Spectacular Bid's loss, few have looked as closely at the explosive story, with its underlying threads of class and race, as Gilden, who turned to sources close to the subjects in order to get a clear picture."—Olive Fellows, Christian Science Monitor"Not only is the ride a fast one, it’s a thrilling one."—Abby Loden, Itawamba County Times"Every sports fan needs this book on their shelf to enjoy and to hear the results of this day in racing and how the future is altered for all involved."—Tom Knuppel, Knup Sports"It's a complicated legacy, but Gilden, in a great read, has uncovered it in all its gruesome glory in his book."—Thom Loverro, Washington Times"A fast ride and a shocking ride, indeed."—Jennifer Morrison, Canadian Thoroughbred"The Fast Ride is not a typical biography of a horse. . . . What it is is a riveting book about how a horse with a fairly modest pedigree and price tag, ridden by a young inexperienced jockey not equipped emotionally for such a big stage and trained by a brash Maryland hardboot, can go on to become one the all-time greats despite the shortcomings and self-destructive actions of those around him."—Steve Haskin, secretariat.com"For those who value the sport and its past, for those who want to understand why as much as how, this is a book worth picking up. The gift of history is not simply stirring stories, but the recounting of the past so that we may understand the present, and, hopefully, plot out a future that has learned from who and what came before."—foxesofbelair.com“Jack Gilden’s superb reporting turns the story of a great American racehorse into a riveting lesson about the difference between perception and reality. Spectacular Bid and his wild cast of human connections positively pulsate with energy.”—John Eisenberg, author of The League: How Five Rivals Created the NFL and Launched a Sports Empire"Gilden takes the reader inside the stables and development of a jockey and a race horse in a manner that shows both the beauty and the ugliness of this sport. This is a book anyone interested in horse racing, especially during that era, must add to their bookshelf."—Lance Smith, Guy Who Reviews Sports BooksTable of ContentsAuthor's Note Introduction 1. A Steel Spine 2. The Crucible 3. Old Hilltop 4. The Beard 5. Middleburg 6. And They’re Off 7. Rough Riders 8. Follow the Money 9. Retribution 10. Coke Was It 11. Derby Days 12. Coming Home 13. Out of Control 14. A Fearful Ride 15. Moving On 16. Saying Goodbye 17. Crossing the Wire Afterword Acknowledgments Selected Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis'Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.' Racing PostBeing a stable lass is probably one of the hardest jobs in the country, and yet for Gemma Hogg it is the most rewarding. She works in the beautiful Yorkshire market town of Middleham and if her colleagues are occasionally challenging, then the horses are downright astonishing. Now, in Stable Lass, she takes us into the closed world of a top racing yard, from the elation of having several winners in one day to the almost indescribable grief of losing a horse. Like most stable lads and lasses, Gemma arrived in her yard as a teenager fresh out of racing college and had to cope with living away from home for the first time, as well as adapting to the brutal long hours, backbreaking work and often treacherous weather. She describes falling in love with Polo Venture, the first racehorse in her care, the pure exhilaration of riding him on Middleham Gallops for the first time and what happens when a horse takes against you, from the growling gelding Valiant Warrior to the potentially lethal Broadway Boy. She brings to life the characters around the yard, from straight-talking boss Micky Hammond to the jockeys starving themselves to make weight, the wealthy owners and the other stable lads and lasses who come from a range of different places and backgrounds. Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg is a unique look into the world of horse racing filled with heart-warming stories and amazing thoroughbreds – some loveable, some cantankerous, all impressive.Trade ReviewVividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive - and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss. There’s never been a book like this before. -- Brough ScottA delightful romp. * Daily Mail *A poignant, compelling, hilarious, emotional account of life as a Yorkshire stable lass. * Racing Post *An exhilarating ride and a fascinating ‘muck and all’ glimpse into the closed world of horse racing. * Lancashire Evening Post *Full of heartwarming stories and some very characterful thoroughbreds * Horse & Rider *Stable Lass is a must-read. * Horse & Hound *

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Book Synopsis'Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.' – Racing PostBeing a stable lass is probably one of the hardest jobs in the country, and yet for Gemma Hogg it is the most rewarding. She works in the beautiful Yorkshire market town of Middleham and if her colleagues are occasionally challenging, then the horses are downright astonishing. Now, in Stable Lass, she takes us into the closed world of a top racing yard, from the elation of having several winners in one day to the almost indescribable grief of losing a horse. Like most stable lads and lasses, Gemma arrived in her yard as a teenager fresh out of racing college and had to cope with living away from home for the first time, as well as adapting to the brutal long hours, backbreaking work and often treacherous weather. She describes falling in love with Polo Venture, the first racehorse in her care, the pure exhilaration of riding him on Middleham Gallops for the first time and what happens when a horse takes against you, from the growling gelding Valiant Warrior to the potentially lethal Broadway Boy. She brings to life the characters around the yard, from straight-talking boss Micky Hammond to the jockeys starving themselves to make weight, the wealthy owners and the other stable lads and lasses who come from a range of different places and backgrounds. Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg is a unique look into the world of horse racing filled with heart-warming stories and amazing thoroughbreds – some loveable, some cantankerous, all impressive.Trade ReviewVividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive - and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss. There’s never been a book like this before. -- Brough ScottA delightful romp. * Daily Mail *A poignant, compelling, hilarious, emotional account of life as a Yorkshire stable lass. * Racing Post *An exhilarating ride and a fascinating ‘muck and all’ glimpse into the closed world of horse racing. * Lancashire Post *Full of heartwarming stories and some very characterful Thoroughbreds * Horse & Rider *

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Book SynopsisThe rags-to-riches tale of one of the most remarkable figures in horse racing history. Readers will be left breathless at the edge of their seats by the amazing stories in You Bet Your Life: My Incredible Adventures in Horse Racing and Offshore Betting, the story of celebrated jockey Dave Stevenson. A runaway barn hand who became a legendary champion and hero in his native Canada, Stevenson's life is incomparable in its color, scope, and excitement. Throughout, You Bet Your Life is the ride of a lifetime. Its pages transport readers back in time to the golden era of American and Canadian horseracing greatness, traveling across North America and then around the world, all the while meeting an abundance of colorful characters: from legendary figures such as the Dowager Queen of England, Pablo Escobar, and champion thoroughbreds Secretariat and Seabiscuit, to charlatans and cheats, horses and owners, and jockeys and trainers that populated the underbelly and the pinnacle of the horseracing world. Relayed in stunning detail and brimming with emotional episodes, Stevenson's memories bring readers to the front lines, so close to the action that you'll swear you can feel the force of the filly's kick, taste the grit of the racetrack, hear the roar of the crowd, and smell the alluring perfume of wealthy women. Will Dave Stevenson's story enthrall and inspire readers from its opening pages? You Bet Your Life it will.Trade Review"The tales of breaking feral Thoroughbreds to saddle were totally enthralling, and Stevenson’s candid, honest retelling of many of the early years of his racing career riding no-name horses are a good reminder to the racing fans that there’s much more to the racing world than the big televised stakes." —Horse Nation “Throughout his fascinating journey, Dave has managed an amazing balance: husband and family man, lifetime aviator, expert diver, avid fisherman, and a pretty fair tennis and golf player. And for Dave, life is about challenge and new horizons, always reaching for more. What will be his next adventure? Well you’ve got it in your hands! So pull on your boots, tighten your girth, and get ready for an exhilarating ride.” —Dr. James Madison Hill, co-owner of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew “Taking yearly holidays with my friend Dave Stevenson was like traveling with Lowell Thomas. . . . It was so dangerous I had to quit.” —Leroy Jolley, Hall of Fame horse trainer “One usually calls oneself fortunate to have one significant accomplishment in a lifetime. Dave Stevenson has had countless and is still counting. What a treasure to have a collection of his many ventures to share and inspire the world. —Ramon Dominguez and Sharon Dominguez, member of the US Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and lifetime winner of $196 million “A cherished member of the racing community where his astute strategies . . . served him well and enabled both the sport and business to thrive.” —Jim Bannon, member of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, winner of Canadian Gemini Award for Best Sports Analyst “When I think of Dave, I think of tough, principled, fairly inflexible in his views. But he [has] one of the greatest senses of humor of anybody I’ve ever been around.” —David Wilmot, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group, member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame “From stable rat to hotwalker, race rider, racing official, and beyond, Dave Stevenson never walked in the footsteps of others, propelling his swift and ever-promising path upward to a multifaceted career filled with major challenges and huge successes in the upper echelons of the Thoroughbred horse racing world. His is a captivating, heart-warming story of an innovator who lived life in search of a challenge and an adventure and never knew what he couldn’t do.” —Bill Galvin, award-winning author and member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

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Book SynopsisThis fun and witty exposé of horse racing in America goes behind the scenes at the track, providing a serious gambler's-eye view of the action. Ted McClelland spent a year at tracks and off-track betting facilities in Chicago and across the country, profiling the people who make a career of gambling on horses. This account follows his personal journey of what it means to be a player as he gambles with his book advance using various betting and handicapping strategies along the way. A colorful cast of characters is introduced, including the intensely disciplined Scott McMannis, "The Professor," a onetime college instructor who now teaches a course in handicapping, and Mary Schoenfeldt, a former nun and gifted handicapper who donates all of her winnings to charity. This moving account of wins, losses, and personal turmoil provides a sobering look at gamblers, gambling, and life at the track.Trade Review"Immensely readable account, by a brutally honest writer...a gambler's book that is well worth a punt" -- The Racing Post"A delightful memoir . . . McClelland details his transformation from casual fan to obsessed racing geek with humor." -- Railbird

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Book SynopsisThis fun and witty exposé of horse racing in America goes behind the scenes at the track, providing a serious gambler's-eye view of the action. Ted McClelland spent a year at tracks and off-track betting facilities in Chicago and across the country, profiling the people who make a career of gambling on horses. This account follows his personal journey of what it means to be a horseplayer as he gambles with his book advance using various betting and handicapping strategies along the way. A colourful cast of characters is introduced, including the intensely disciplined Scott McMannis, "The Professor," a one-time college instructor who now teaches a course in handicapping, and Mary Schoenfeldt, a former nun and gifted handicapper who donates all of her winnings to charity. This moving account of wins, losses, and personal turmoil provides a realistic look at gamblers, gambling, and life at the track.

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Book SynopsisEach spring as the Kentucky Derby grows near, a kind of frenzy hits a wide section of the population. People suddenly turn their attention to Churchill Downs, and the anticipation of the Run for the Roses sends everyone into 'Derby fever.' Here in his third book on the Kentucky Derby, Jim Bolus brings together a collection of his favorite Derby Stories that are sure to make an avid race fan out of anyone. Bolus covers a wide range of topics--from 'the Duke' at the Derby; to the famous Derby photograph of the Fighting Finish in 1933; to his favorite Derby, the 1969 running. Also included are such champions as Whirlaway, Exterminator, Secretariat, Spend a Buck, and Nashua. Bolus has devoted a chapter to the Stevens family, whose horse-racing roots trace back more than 120 years, and to the Derby chart callers, those men who through the years have documented the race for posterity. Bolus also relates his own personal experiences as a bettor (and a loser!) on the Derby. In particular, he devotes a chapter to Holy Land, a horse who ran in the 1970 race but lost his jockey and the race. It's a pick Bolus has been kidded about a lot over the years. An authority on the subject, Jim Bolus has conducted hundreds of interviews about the Derby. With this book, readers will understand his passion for the grand old race and its traditions as they learn why so many get Derby fever every spring. Also by Jim Bolus are Remembering the Derby and Kentucky Derby Stories, both published by Pelican.

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Book SynopsisFormer horse jockey Randy Romero, winner of the Breeders' Cup, is a Louisiana sports legend still well loved in racing circles today. In 1985 he was at the top of his game, ranked number two in the country. This gripping biography covers the triumphs and tragedies in his exciting career, until his retirement in 1999.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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