Description
Book SynopsisNational Hunt Champion trainer Nicky Henderson OBE shares behind-the-scenes stories of the dozen most extraordinary thoroughbreds that have defined his glittering career.
After his early days as an amateur jockey and assistant to Fred Winter, Nicky started his own training yard, which would become the home of such great riders as Sir AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty, John Francome, Mick Fitzgerald, Sam Waley-Cohen, Richard Dunwoody, Nico de Boinville and many others.
From his triple Champion Hurdle-winner See You Then, Remittance Man and Nobby the sheep, record-setting Altior, Sprinter Sacre and the greatest comeback in jump racing history, to his new star Constitution Hill, the Henderson yard has been a breeding ground for success.
Through exclusive interviews with Nicky and his jockeys, Nicky Henderson: My Life in 12 Horses schools us on life, sport, magic, courage, loss, hope and love.
Trade Review"In my lifetime two British trainers have been blessed with a touch of genius: Sir Henry Cecil and Nicky Henderson. This book - via tales about his brilliant horses - takes you on a roller-coaster ride with Nicky’s triumphs and tragedies, heady racedays and disasters, plus gives you a unique insight in to the mind of that training genius."
-- Ed Chamberlin * ITV Racing *
"A beautiful portrait of the love between Nicky Henderson and his greatest horses. Intimate, revealing and unforgettable, with a long reach in racing but also far beyond."
-- Paul Hayward * five times Sports Writer of the Year *
"Nicky Henderson’s career is a timeless masterpiece, with craft and thought put into every horse. The attention to detail in this beautiful book is similarly meticulous. A must read."
-- Dominic King, Racing Correspondent * The Daily Mail *
"Wow, what an interesting book. Nicky is a genius and you really see how he has treasures, and looks after his good horses. It gripped me and anybody remotely interested in jump racing will want to read it."
-- Kim Bailey * National Hunt trainer *
"A brilliant and original portrait of a man with an exceptional gift. Where others see horses, Nicky Henderson sees magic, sophistication and complex personalities – he’s like the Shakespeare of racing."
-- Ed Needham * Strong Words magazine *
"This is a book every racing fan should read. For it takes a fresh look at famous horses and jumping’s most famous trainer. In the very best of senses, it puts new wine in old bottles."
-- Brough Scott MBE * racing journalist, broadcaster and author and former jockey *
"A brilliant insight into the life, knowledge, passion and intuition that Nicky has, and gives his horses on a daily basis. All of which makes him one of the greatest trainers and horsemen of any generation, and above all an absolute gentleman."
-- Barry Geraghty * first stable jockey to Nicky Henderson from 2008-2015 *
"A full, personable and bewitching account of the genius that is the six-time champion jumps trainer – while this is a must-read for racing fans, I’d recommend it to anyone who has ever loved an animal."
-- Martha Terry * Horse & Hound *
"Nicky Henderson: My Life in 12 Horses is one of the best racing books I’ve read in years. Built around the stories of some his greats, including Remittance Man, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, See You Then and, of course, Constitution Hill, it’s a properly fascinating insight into what makes Henderson tick and how he does it. You never know, the racing fan in your life might even learn something from it."
-- Stephen Pollard * The Critic *
