Horse racing Books

Book SynopsisThe Seabiscuit Story consists of actual news reports from the 1930's and 40s, culled from the historic archives of The Blood-Horse magazine. Using first-hand accounts of Seabiscuit's life and racing careerincluding his epic head-to-head victory against Triple Crown winner War Admiralthe book tells the amazing rags-to-riches story of this 1930s horse-racing phenomenon. It makes clear why Seabiscuit has been the subject of numerous books and films, including an adaption of Laura Hillenbrand's international bestseller that was nominated for the Academy Award for best picture. This is you-are-there reporting that brings to life an American legend.

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Book SynopsisBound in simulated leather, the Racing Post Desk Diary 2025 is the perfect office accessory for every horseracing fan. This stylish diary includes all the UK and Irish racing fixtures at the time of publication jumps, Flat and the all-weather plus the principal races and bloodstock sales dates in a week-to-view format. It also includes major sporting fixtures, a racecourse guide plus a marker-ribbon and gilt edging. It's a great Christmas gift for any fan of the sport.

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Book SynopsisNow in its 58th year, this popular guide to Jumps racing summarises the prospects of 100 steeplechasers and hurdlers who Raceform's expert race-readers expect to do particularly well in the coming 2019-2020 season. The 2018-2019 edition pinpointed 18 Grade 1 winners including: Al Boum Photo - Cheltenham Gold Cup. Altior - Tingle Creek Chase, Clarence House Chase, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Celebration Chase. Apple's Jade - Hatton's Grace Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle, Irish Champion Hurdle. Buveur D'Air - Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Delta Work - Drinmore Chase, Neville Hotels Novices' Chase. Duc Des Genievres - Racing Post Arkle Chase. If The Cap Fits - Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle. Kalashnikov - Manifesto Novices' Chase. Road To Respect - JWine.com Champion Chase. Supasundae - Aintree Hurdle. Topofthegame - RSA Novices' Chase. Big Priced winners chosen included: William Henry - 28/1, Al Boum Photo 12/1, Supasundae 15/2, Sharp Response and If The Cap Fits 7/1

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Book SynopsisThis book evaluates the status quo of integrity management within sports that involve horses worldwide. Sports governing bodies and international sports federations are very powerful organisations within their sphere and the governance of these sports has created a hegemony which does not necessarily serve the interests of those engaged in sport, rather those who rule' sport. This book investigates the question of whether cheating is discouraged and fair play rewarded, both to an adequate degree.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Researching Horse Sport and the Law Chapter 2: The Literature So Far Chapter 3: The new social construct, the horse qua non-human athlete Chapter 4: Problematising the Governance of Equine Sport Chapter 5: Problematising Strict Liability and the Current rules of Evidence Chapter 6: Problematising Mitigation of the Harshness of the Current Rules Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThe first-ever biography of trailblazing horse racer Lillian Jenkinson Holder, who broke the unwritten rule that women could not be jockeys. More than four decades before women were allowed to ride as licensed jockeys at recognized, pari-mutuel racetracks, a fearless farm girl turned race rider out of Nebraska was beginning her 47-year jockey career at venues beyond the reach of big-time track rules. Her name was Lillian Jenkinson Holder.In Jockey Queen: Lillian Jenkinson Holder, Horse Racing's Fearless Lady, Roger Peach tells the remarkable journey of a woman who never gave up on her dream of racing, despite the obstacles thrown in her path. Kept from riding in major races simply because she was a woman, Jenkinson Holder thrived in the gritty world of no-holds-barred bush track racing, ultimately competing in an estimated 10,000 races over almost five decades.Featuring exclusive interviews with Jenkinson Holder's surviving relatives and with jockeys who rode against her, as well as behind-the-scenes photos from the family's collection, Jockey Queen is a fascinating glimpse into the cutthroat world of horse racing and the daring woman who defied all expectations.

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Book SynopsisWinx joins Phar Lap and Bradman in the history books: a national sporting idol and the world's racehorse extraordinaire. 4 COX PLATE VICTORIESThe only horse in history33 CONSECUTIVE WINSAustralian record holder25 GROUP 1 WINSWorld record holder'A deft writer with a sense of humour. It's Rule's access to the Winx camp that adds the X-factor.' Stephen Romei, The Australian 'Superb' Max Presnell, The Sydney Morning Herald 'Excellent' The Age 'One of the most remarkable and enjoyable sporting stories in my lifetime.' Bruce McAvaney'She just exploded,' Bowman recalls of that moment, the wonder not dimmed by time and retelling. 'She put the race to sleep in three strides. It was like a fairy tale. A star was born that day.' She wins that first Cox Plate by nearly five lengths, running away. The performance makes her name. A win with X factor. Australia's world champion racehorse Winx has become a sporting giant, transcending racing in the same way that Muhammad Ali transcends boxing and Bradman transcends cricket. She is described by her trainer, Chris Waller, as a supreme athlete-a world-class sprinter with a freakish ability to dominate longer distances 'like Usain Bolt running in 1500-metre races'. She is the Phar Lap of the modern age, and one of the greatest racehorses in 300 years of thoroughbred racing. In Winx: The full story of the world's best racehorse, Andrew Rule brings together the inside accounts of those closest to the 'Mighty Mare' to tell the complete story of our greatest racing legend.'I am proud and humbled to work with Andrew Rule and Allen & Unwin on this important book that details the life of a very special horse.' Chris Waller, Trainer 'Peter, Patty, Richard and I are thrilled to have Winx's story honoured in this book about her incredible record. Winx has performed amazingly and we are excited to work with Allen & Unwin, and for everyone to read her story.' Debbie Kepitis, Co-ownerTable of ContentsForeword by Bruce McAvaney xi1 The hint of greatness2 The stand-in3 The farm boys4 The wrong O'Brien5 The right CamillerI6 The best mare there7 The wrong stallion8 The right stallion9 The standing start10 The winning smile11 The Tighe connection12 The right station in life 13 The sound advice 14 The breaker15 The wrong foot16 The natural17 The good keen man18 The streak begins19 The show reel20 The second coming21 The third act22 The presence of greatness23 The Bowman brand24 The Winx factor25 The proof of GreatnessEpilogue 419Afterword 423Appendix 1: Vital statistics 429Appendix 2: Race statistics 430Index

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Book SynopsisExotic Betting at the Racetrack is unique as it covers the efficient-inefficient strategy to price and find profitable racetrack bets, along with handicapping that provides actual bets made by the author on essentially all of the major wagers offered at US racetracks. The book starts with efficiency, accuracy of the win odds, arbitrage, and optimal betting strategies. Examples and actual bets are shown for various wagers including win, place and show, exacta, quinella, double, trifecta, superfecta, Pick 3, 4 and 6 and rainbow pick 5 and 6. There are discussions of major races including the Breeders' Cup, Pegasus, Dubai World Cup and the US Triple Crown from 2012-2018. Dosage analysis is also described and used. An additional feature concerns great horses such as the great mares Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Treve, Beholder and Song Bird. There is a discussion of horse ownership and a tour through arguably the world's top trainer Frederico Tesio and his stables and horses in Italy.Related Link(s)

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Book SynopsisExotic Betting at the Racetrack is unique as it covers the efficient-inefficient strategy to price and find profitable racetrack bets, along with handicapping that provides actual bets made by the author on essentially all of the major wagers offered at US racetracks. The book starts with efficiency, accuracy of the win odds, arbitrage, and optimal betting strategies. Examples and actual bets are shown for various wagers including win, place and show, exacta, quinella, double, trifecta, superfecta, Pick 3, 4 and 6 and rainbow pick 5 and 6. There are discussions of major races including the Breeders' Cup, Pegasus, Dubai World Cup and the US Triple Crown from 2012-2018. Dosage analysis is also described and used. An additional feature concerns great horses such as the great mares Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Treve, Beholder and Song Bird. There is a discussion of horse ownership and a tour through arguably the world's top trainer Frederico Tesio and his stables and horses in Italy.Related Link(s)

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Book SynopsisThis popular guide to jumps racing summarises the prospects of 100 steeplechasers and hurdlers whom Raceform's expert race-readers expect to do well in the coming 2025-26 season. It includes details of each of the 100 horses, plus information about their previous form. It is an invaluable pocket-sized tool for followers of racing.

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Book SynopsisThis eye-catching calendar features stunning racing photos from the Racing Post archives taken by their award-winning photographers. These full-colour images will stir up memories for all fans of the sport. The calendar features one month to view and UK and Ireland race meeting information, and highlights the key races each month.

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Book SynopsisThe highly popular Racing Post Wall Calendar features stunning racing photos from the previous calendar year taken by the Racing Post's award-winning photographers. It features one month to view and includes race meeting information in the UK and Ireland at the time of publication, and highlights the key races each month.

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Book SynopsisThe ever-popular Guide to the Jumps is one of the key tools for every racing enthusiast and punter to look ahead to the upcoming National Hunt season. It includes exclusive interviews with the top jumps trainers, profiles of 250 horses that are likely to be key players and it unearths some likely unexposed 'dark horses' to follow.

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Book Synopsis**WINNER OF THE GENERAL OUTSTANDING SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD****SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017**Coping with your own death, when you are not yet dead, is a strange thing...A natural on a horse since he was able to walk, and imbued with a pure love of riding, Declan Murphy became one of the most brilliant jockeys of his generation before his world came crashing down at the final hurdle of a race at Haydock Park. His skull shattered in twelve places, he was believed to be dead, the last rites were read and the Racing Post prepared his obituary. Miraculously, and the word is not used lightly, he survived and defied medical thinking in recovering to the extent that eighteen months after his fall, he was able to saddle up for one more race. As usual, he won.For 23 years, Declan has been unable to tell his story, to bring to words existence on the frontier between life and death, to describe the incredible bond between man and horse. But now, in an extraordinary collaboration with Ami Rao, she has helped him find those words, a way to piece together what happened before, during and after, what it all meant and what it means to us all. It is a story of triumph, fear, love and loss, by turns primal, heartbreaking and inspirational, and ultimately, it is the story of hope, and of life.Trade ReviewBeautifully written and genuinely revealing. It is brilliant. A work of art, Centaur has a rhythm all of its own but more than that, it has an immense depth of soul and spirit. Declan has been brave enough to show himself raw, at his most vulnerable, and Ami has been clever and empathetic in her telling of the story. Together they have made magical music. The rhythm of the prose reads like a Declan Murphy-ridden race: beautiful and steady, balanced and spiritual before unleashing its dangerous sprint to the line. -- Clare BaldingEmotional and honest, Centaur is an unflinching look at how Murphy 'came back from the dead' and the heavy price extracted for doing so. Centaur is a book haunted by ghosts: lost careers, lost memories, lost friendships and, most devastatingly of all, lost love... Not only a certain candidate for the William Hill sports book of the year but also sure to be on many non-sports fans' end-of-year lists. -- Sarah Hughes * Observer *A magnificent piece of work: never less than enthralling... a thing of dramatic beauty. * Mail on Sunday *Deeply powerful, [told with] grace and poetry... an entirely gripping drama. * Sunday Express *Brilliant, bold, at times brutal. * Sunday Telegraph *Heart-rending... a page-turner. * The Times *Riveting... At times, it's an uncomfortable read, but the journey from awakening from a coma and trying to piece together the absent parts of his life is truly heart-rending. * Robert Cooper, Racing Plus *Extraordinary... It is a miraculous tale, recounted with searing honesty. Here is a book that goes way beyond the normal ambitions of the sporting autobiography and clears those limits with room to spare. -- Scott Burton * Racing Post *‘Really, really beautifully written… the most riveting description. Extraordinary, quite brilliant… it’s an amazing read.’ * Sarah Brett and Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio Five Live Afternoon Edition *Wonderfully written... very moving. -- Brough ScottPrimal, heartbreaking and inspirational. The story of triumph, fear, love and loss, it's a remarkable testament to beating the odds and reclaiming a life in the most dire of circumstances. * Booktime *Extraordinary: an outstanding book. Superb. * Matt Williams, BBC Radio 2 *You can read and enjoy Centaur simply as a thrilling account of an elite sportsman who nearly died, but lived to ride again. There are beautiful insights too into the relationship between rider and horse. But it is also a book about how stories get told. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *A stirring story. * The Sunday Times *With lovely descriptions, so very frank. Wonderful. It's a truly amazing story. -- Libby PurvesExtraordinary... Centaur defies all the usual definitions of biography/autobiography/memoir because Ami has worked in an area that sometimes sounding-board, sometimes investigator, sometimes therapist and her ability to read and authentically express emotion has made it possible to bridge gaps in Declan's life - to create a coherent version of the story that's going to blow readers away. It has almost as much potential outside of the sporting world as within it. Ami has taken a 'sportsman's memoir' with all the attendant concentration on performance and motivation and translated it into something with the broadest human relevance. -- Tim HaywardRemarkable. * Irish Independent *Extraordinary... one of the most incredible and brave memoirs. Beautifully written and worthy of the highest plaudits. * The Last Word *Compelling. * Irish Examiner *Mesmerising, haunting and beautifully written. -- Lauren St JohnAn extraordinary story [and] a wonderful read... even if you've never read a book in your life, even if you don't normally read, people will really enjoy this. * RTE Radio 1, Today with Sean O'Rourke *A remarkable man with a remarkable story. * BBC Radio Ulster, Sunday Sequence *Absolutely amazing... it offers a fascinating insight into how the brain works. * Newstalk, Off The Ball *If this book isn't prominent in the best of not just sports books but books of the year, and if it's not sweeping awards come Christmas then there's something massively flawed with the process. This isn’t a racing book, this is a remarkable personal story, a brilliant read. I’ve not read a book in a long time that has affected me as much as this book, it’s unbelievable… if you have an interest in human life, if you have an interest in human psychology, in the will the survive, if you want to hear about bravery, about overcoming challenges, that's the book to buy. It’s as motivational a book as you will get. * 2FM, Game On *Sensitively ghosted by Ami Rao, Centaur is a meditation on what constitutes self and what happens when 'time becomes an abstration'. * Telegraph Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisPopular tent-folded, wiro-bound desk calendar featuring one month to view with every race meeting in the UK and Ireland – Jumps, Flat and the All-Weather. Also includes principal race and bloodstock sales dates. Every month is illustrated with a superb colour photograph the Racing Post’s award-winning photographer Edward Whitaker.

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Book SynopsisHorseracing is the second-biggest spectator sport in Britain but, while it is widely viewed as 'a good day out', many people who enjoy the experience also admit to being rather baffled by much of what goes on. A Guide to Race-Going offers a wealth of guidance for newcomers to racing, but also contains much that will be of interest to regular race-goers. Topics covered include: how racing developed; the types of races; the people involved; picking and enjoying a suitable day out; understanding racecards; the basics of betting; how to get the best from watching a race.

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Book SynopsisRacing Post's Unforgettable Moments Wall Calendar 2024 features stunning and evocative racing photos from the Racing Post archives taken by their award-winning photographers. These full-colour images will stir up memories from racing’s history for all fans of the sport.The calendar features one month to view and includes the most up-to-date race meeting information in the UK and Ireland at the time of publication, and highlights the key races each month.

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Book SynopsisNow in its 13th year, the Racing Post Annual is firmly established as the perfect Christmas gift for any horseracing fan. This exciting review of 2023 from the Racing Post, the nation’s voice of horseracing, has 208 colour pages packed with the best stories of the racing year and is beautifully illustrated with stunning images. Racing Post’s top writers look back on the best of the Flat and jumps seasons, the big names both equine and human, the moments to treasure and unusual stories of the year; plus there’s a look forward at the top prospects for 2024. With a glittering line-up, this large-format, magazine-style publication is a must for every horseracing fan.

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Book SynopsisThe hugely popular Racing Post Pocket Diary features one week to view, listing the most up-to-date race meeting information in the UK and Ireland at the time of publication – jumps, Flat and all-weather – as well as major sporting fixtures, a wealth of racing statistics, principal race dates and details of the racecourses in Britain and Ireland.

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Book SynopsisThe Racing Post Desk Calendar is the perfect office accessory. It is a tent-folded, wiro-bound desk calendar featuring one month to view with the most up to date race meeting information in the UK and Ireland at the time of publication - jumps, flat and the all-weather. It also includes the principal races and bloodstock sales dates.

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Book SynopsisThe Racing Post Royal Ascot Guide 2024 is packed with tips and information for the world-famous five-day extravaganza of top-class Flat racing. Royal Ascot is always extra special on and off the track and this guide from the best team in the business is the perfect companion. It features an in-depth look at all 35 races across the five days, accompanied by a host of betting pointers and analysis to help punters find those all-important winners. Along with profiles of the leading contenders from Britain and Ireland, you''ll get the lowdown on the international challenge, eyecatchers to note, the best early two-year-olds and the standouts on Racing Post Ratings. With all angles covered, this is the ideal way to get set for Royal Ascot 2024.

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Book SynopsisThis is the second edition of the classic on the history of British horse racing. It provides a detailed and far-ranging social and economic analysis of the major changes in British flat racing, in particular in the period between 1830 and 1939. Four major themes are explored. Firstly, the changing character and structure of the sport. Secondly, the morality of racing, which was a corrupt sport par excellence for much of the nineteenth century. Thirdly, on four categories of participants in racing jockeys, trainers, owners and breeders. Here, the author assesses whether or not these could make money out of racing. Fourthly, the book examines gambling and its important symbiotic relationship with racing. The televised, sponsored, carefully governed sport today is a vastly different affair from that of the 18th century. Then racing was a free, social event, the highlight of the entertainment calendar for the bulk of the local community. By the late 19th century most race meetings were highly commercial enterprises, requiring payment from all spectators, many of whom had travelled some distance to attend. The excitement and historical interest of these meetings is well captured here.'

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Book SynopsisOnce a year the public fix their gaze and risk pounds or pence on a race that better than any other reminds us of the grace and courage of the jumps racehorse. The racehorse could have no finer ambassador than Tiger Roll. There is not much of him but he makes every bit count, just as Red Rum did. He was an icon of the turf. So is Tiger Roll. He is this generation's Red Rum and now merits being ranked among the all-time greats of the sport. A horse who wins two Grand Nationals and four times at the Cheltenham Festival deserves nothing less. Horseracing's best writers tell the Tiger Roll tale, a story of overachievement, a story of exceeding expectations, a story of a little legend.

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