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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Equestrian & animal sports > Horse racing
Popular 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.
Now a major motion picture starring Sam Neill In Life As I Know It,
Michelle Payne tells her deeply moving story. It will lift your
spirits, stir your heart and give you courage. Michelle was put on
a horse aged four. At five years old her dream was to win the
Melbourne Cup. At thirty she rode into history as the first female
jockey to win the Cup. It was a moment that inspired everyone who
dreams of beating the odds.
Rather like the regions intoned on BBC Radio's 'Shipping Forecast,'
the names of Britain's sixty or so racecourses are regularly
broadcast on TV and Radio sports programmes. But what are the
racecourses actually like? Britain, where the thoroughbred evolved
and where the sport of horseracing developed, has the most varied
racing in the world and 60 racecourses in Britain have distinctive,
intriguing and often eccentric atmospheres. Some are in parkland
(Kempton, Sandown), and some follow the contours of rolling downs
(Epsom, Goodwood). Some adjoin housing (Aintree, Ayr), some are
bang next to busy roads (Doncaster, Wetherby), and some offer the
racegoer uninterrupted views of gorgeous scenery (Cheltenham,
Goodwood again). The oldest course in Britain, Chester (which
staged its first races during the reign of Henry VIII), is also the
smallest, running inside a Roman wall and circling the burial
ground of a cross. York races take place on the Knavesmire, former
site of public hangings. Other courses are products of royal
enthusiasm for the sport: Charles II was largely responsible for
the development of Newmarket, and Queen Anne founded Ascot. This is
a portrait of the second most popular spectator sport in Britain,
the country's 11th largest employer, as reflected in the colourful,
eccentric and dramatic stories of the venues where it takes place.
Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage than FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. But his success was a surprise to the racing establishment, which had written off the crooked-legged racehorse with the sad tail. Three men changed Seabiscuit’s fortunes:
Charles Howard was a onetime bicycle repairman who introduced the automobile to the western United States and became an overnight millionaire. When he needed a trainer for his new racehorses, he hired Tom Smith, a mysterious mustang breaker from the Colorado plains. Smith urged Howard to buy Seabiscuit for a bargain-basement price, then hired as his jockey Red Pollard, a failed boxer who was blind in one eye, half-crippled, and prone to quoting passages from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Over four years, these unlikely partners survived a phenomenal run of bad fortune, conspiracy, and severe injury to transform Seabiscuit from a neurotic, pathologically indolent also-ran into an American sports icon.
Author Laura Hillenbrand brilliantly re-creates a universal underdog story, one that proves life is a horse race.
From the Hardcover edition.
A compilation of the toughest I Spy challenges, this deluxe book of picture riddles will put your child's detective skills to work. Incredible photographs and clever rhyming riddles combine to provide hours of mind-bending entertainment.
Favorite Features This ultimate collection will stimulate your child's visual discrimination, logic, and problem-solving skills.
Punters 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!
Calumet, Claiborne, King Ranch - these iconic names are among the
owners and breeders revered by Thoroughbred industry professionals
and racing fans around the world. As campaigners of many of the
20th century's top racehorses, their prestige has been confirmed by
decades of competition in the Triple Crown, the most esteemed
series in American Thoroughbred racing. Even with these substantial
legacies, their success is measured against the benchmark set by
one of racing's earliest dynasties, the historic Belair Stud. The
story of this legendary operation began with William Woodward's
childhood memories of grand days at the racetrack, inspiring dreams
of breeding a champion or two of his own. During a year working for
the American Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Woodward frequented
English racetracks, rekindling that childhood dream of breeding and
owning champion Thoroughbreds. Woodward turned those dreams into
reality, building Belair Stud on his family's Maryland estate,
launching what would become the preeminent Thoroughbred breeding
and racing empire in America and chasing racing's biggest prizes in
both the United States and England. The defining moment for Belair
came when Woodward bred the imported stallion Sir Gallahad III to
his mare Marguerite. Their colt, Gallant Fox, became only the
second horse in history to win the Preakness Stakes, the Kentucky
Derby, and the Belmont Stakes in the same year. In 1935, the farm
cemented the Triple Crown as the gold standard for three-year-olds
when Gallant Fox's son, Omaha, duplicated his sire's trio of
victories, a sweep that sealed the farm's legacy and carved its
name in the annals of racing history. In The Foxes of Belair:
Gallant Fox, Omaha, and the Quest for the Triple Crown, Jennifer
Kelly examines the racing legacies of Gallant Fox and Omaha and how
William Woodward's service to racing during the 20th century
forever changed the landscape of the American Thoroughbred
industry.
Pat Smullen was one of the greatest Irish jockeys ever. In a career
laden with success, his position as one of the country's best ever
flat jockeys was long established. And yet, despite being a
nine-time champion jockey, his humility defined him. It was this
strength of character that sustained him when, in March 2018, Pat
was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There was never any
self-pity. He just dealt with it. And more than that, he brought it
centre stage: raising funds and awareness, and channelling his
energies into helping others. Pat was a champion in all aspects of
life, no matter what setbacks were thrown at him. Tragically, his
life was cut short far too early in September 2020. Written in the
months before his death, with the assistance of Donn McClean and
completed by Pat's wife, Frances Crowley, Champion is the
inspirational story of the jockey whose legacy lives on. 'From
incredible highs to devastating lows, the championship battles and
mental turmoil, the Derby winners and cancer heartbreak, Pat has
left more than a legacy. Read this and you will agree with me - he
is iconic.' Ruby Walsh 'Pat tells his story with the same honesty
and humility that defined him as a person. He was a remarkable man
and his is a compelling story.' Sir Anthony Mccoy 'Pat was an
amazing man, a man of dignity who went about life with a smile on
his face. He is an example to all of us.' Frankie Dettori
'Inspiring, heart-breaking and unforgettable.' Brough Scott
Postcards from the World of Horse Racing: Days Out on the Global
Racing Road is the new book by international-racing expert Nicholas
Godfrey. In a series of evocative, informative pieces from around
the racing world, Godfrey visits 20 different countries on six
continents, from unforgettable high-profile events at major
racecourses - such as the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs or the
Dubai World Cup at billion-dollar Meydan - to racing venues on the
road less travelled - like Morocco, Uruguay and Switzerland, where
they race on a frozen lake in St Moritz. Among those he encounters
are America's mighty mare Zenyatta, Triple Crown hero American
Pharoah and Black Caviar, the 'Wonder from Down Under'. As well as
reliving his experiences, Godfrey prefaces each postcard with a
how-to guide for those wishing to follow in his footsteps.
Illustrated with a range of colour photographs, the book also
features a foreword by Brough Scott, one of the most respected
sportswriters in the business.
Horses in Training is an institution in racing. It is an
encyclopaedia of invaluable information on the horses each trainer
has in their care. The book lists, in alphabetical format, British,
Irish and French trainers, their horses, the ownership and breeding
of each horse, foaling dates of two-year-olds, and the trainer's
contact details. It is fully indexed, with over 200 pages of
statistics and details of almost 20,000 horses and 595 trainers,
and it is an invaluable source of a wide variety of racing
statistics, from details of UK racecourses to big-race winners. It
is presented in an easy-to-follow style and is an invaluable tool
for anyone who works or has an interest in racing. Horses in
Training is expertly edited by Graham Dench, a senior reporter and
former Form Book editor for the Racing Post.
"Every horse story is a love story," writes Jane Smiley, who has
loved horses for most of her life and owned and bred them for a
good part of it. To love something is to observe it with more than
usual attention, and that is precisely what Smiley does in this
irresistibly smart, witty, and engaging chronicle of her obsession.
In particular she follows a sexy filly named Waterwheel and a grey
named Wowie (he "tells" a horse communicator that he wants it
changed from Hornblower) as they begin careers at the racetrack.
Filled with humor and suspense, and with discourses on equine
intelligence, affection, and character, A Year at the Races is a
winner.
How 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.
Today's Kentucky Derby is a multi-million-dollar spectacle
incorporating corporate sponsorship, worldwide media coverage, and
an annual citywide festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Over its
nearly century-and-a-half, the Kentucky Derby has grown to be one
of the biggest sporting events of the year, attracting 150,000
spectators at the track and nearly 15 million television viewers on
the first Saturday each May. But 1875, the year of the first Derby,
was a different time. The Louisville Jockey Club, which would one
day bear the name "Churchill Downs," was a small structure that
might, on its best day, provide seating and standing room for
12,000 spectators. The grandstand was plain and functional, and
included a section reserved for bookmakers, whose trade was legal,
and who operated in the open. Perhaps most significantly, the
majority of jockeys in the race were Black, in stark contrast to
the present-day Derby, where participation by African-Americans is
rare. In The First Kentucky Derby, racing historian Mark Shrager
examines the events leading up to the first "Run for the Roses,"
the unsuccessful plot hatched by the winning horse's owner to fix
the race, and the prominent role played by African-Americans in
Gilded Age racing culture-a holdover from pre-emancipation days,
when slaves would be trained from birth to ride for their wealthy
owners, and would grow up surrounded by the horses that would be
their life's work.
During two short seasons at the track, Ruffian was hailed as the greatest thoroughbred filly of all time. Unbeaten in her first ten starts, she shattered one record after another, dazzling crowds with both her beauty and her brilliant speed. Then tragedy struck on the afternoon of July 6, 1975. Ruffian broke down–on the lead–in the middle of a match race at Belmont Park. Later that night she had to be destroyed.
Ruffian: Burning from the Start is the story of this exceptional filly, a horse so dominating, so powerful, that writer Walter Farley once suggested she was more like the fictional legend, the Black Stallion, than any colt he had ever seen. Beginning with her earliest days in Kentucky, the book follows Ruffian at every stage of her career and through the agony of her final hours– venturing behind the scenes of the racing world and exploring the politics and personalities that came together to shape this extraordinary filly’s fate.
Is this the right book for me? Do you want to make smart choices
and win at the track? Whether you are a novice better or an
experienced punter, it has all the tips and advice to help you spot
a winner and enjoy this popular national pastime. This new edition
has been been brought right up-to-date with interactive features.
It explains not only such basics as the form and the nature of the
races, but will also explain in full where to bet, how to bet, and
how to do so successfully. It offers full and unique coverage of
the latest phenomena, such as internet betting, online betting
exchanges and spread betting. It also gives you vital tips in
addition to providing practical information on how to avoid credit
card fraud and how to make a successful selection. Back a Winning
Horse includes: Chapter 1: Horse racing Origins of horse racing
Thoroughbred horses Types of racing Grading of racing Handicaps
Conditional races Gambling on horse racing A day at the races
Owning a racehorse Racing around the world Chapter 2: Racecourse
betting On-course bookmakers Tote betting Pari-mutuel Bookmaking
Understanding the odds Factors affecting prices Placing a tote bet
Chapter 3: Betting shops Types of price Disadvantages of using a
betting shop Writing a bet Bookmakers' rules Types of bet Chapter
4: Remote betting Internet betting Types of internet betting Types
of bet How bets are matched Ordering odds How to bet Spread betting
Playing safe Telephone betting Chapter 5: Making your selection
Factors you can assess Factors you cannot assess Gathering
information Systems Effect of the draw at British and Irish
racecourses Chapter 6: Betting tips Be aware of rules Appreciate
your chances of winnin How bookmakers make a profit Keep records of
your gambling Set a budget Staying in control Take account of all
costs Be selective Take your time Maximize returns Be realistic How
bookmakers try to make you spend more money Ground Type of race
Betting on handicap races Number of runners Backing favourites Take
the best price Making the best bet Betting each way Bets to avoid
Placing large bets Big winners Steamers Collecting winnings Betting
exchanges Hedging Dutching Syndicate betting Chapter 7: Checking
results and calculating winnings Checking results Disputes with
bookmakers Calculating winnings Using a ready reckoner Learn
effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive
features: Not got much time? One, five and ten-minute introductions
to key principles to get you started. Author insights Lots of
instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based
on the author's many years of experience. Test yourself Tests in
the book and online to keep track of your progress. Extend your
knowledge Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding
of the subject. Five things to remember Quick refreshers to help
you remember the key facts. Try this Innovative exercises
illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.
Racing Post Guide to the Jumps includes exclusive, extended trainer
interviews, profiles of over 250 horses to run during 2019-20,
specialist selections for horses to follow, dark horses unearthed
and set to shine and Topspeed and Racing Post Ratings.
Red 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.
People have been racing horses for thousands of years, all over the
world. Yet horseracing is often presented as an English creation
that was exported, unaltered, to the colonies. This Companion
investigates the intersection of racing and literature, art,
history and finance, casting the sport as the product of
cross-class, cosmopolitan and international influences. Chapters on
racing history and the origins of the thoroughbred demonstrate how
the gift of a fast horse could forge alliances between nations, and
the extent to which international power dynamics can be traced back
to racetracks and breeding sheds. Leading scholars and journalists
draw on original research and firsthand experience to create
portraits of the racetracks of Newmarket, Kentucky, the Curragh,
and Hunter Valley, exposing readers to new racing frontiers in
China and Dubai as well. A unique resource for fans and scholars
alike, reopening essential questions regarding the legacy and
importance of horseracing today.
People have been racing horses for thousands of years, all over the
world. Yet horseracing is often presented as an English creation
that was exported, unaltered, to the colonies. This Companion
investigates the intersection of racing and literature, art,
history and finance, casting the sport as the product of
cross-class, cosmopolitan and international influences. Chapters on
racing history and the origins of the thoroughbred demonstrate how
the gift of a fast horse could forge alliances between nations, and
the extent to which international power dynamics can be traced back
to racetracks and breeding sheds. Leading scholars and journalists
draw on original research and firsthand experience to create
portraits of the racetracks of Newmarket, Kentucky, the Curragh,
and Hunter Valley, exposing readers to new racing frontiers in
China and Dubai as well. A unique resource for fans and scholars
alike, reopening essential questions regarding the legacy and
importance of horseracing today.
Robin Oakley brings alive the colourful world of those who ride and
train jumping horses. With elegant production and gripping images
The History of Jump Racing chronicles the social and economic
changes which have brought the sport's ups and downs-like the
development of sponsorships and syndicate ownership, the near loss
of the Grand National, the growing domination of the Cheltenham
Festival and the growth of all-weather racing to meet the bookies'
demands for betting shop fodder. Pace and colour is provided by
stories of the horses who have been taken to the heart of racing
crowds, like the Irish-trained hurdler Istabraq and Best Mate, the
three-times winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for England. Famous
rivalries and memorable races are re-lived and key victories
revisited in portraits of and interviews with the owners, jockeys
and trainers who have dominated the sport. The emphasis will be
largely on the past fifty years-from Arkle to Tony McCoy-but a
significant introduction by Edward Gillespie encapsulates the past
history of what was previously known as 'National Hunt Racing' and
sets the stories in context.
This unique "behind the scenes" description of British flat racing is based on first hand experiences in Newmarket, the Suffolk town regarded as the international headquarters of the sport. Cassidy offers an insider's look at the rituals of horseracing--including those on the racecourse and at the bloodstock auction--and shows how racing, betting and the bloodstock industry are connected. Her insightful descriptions of the class structure of Newmarket explain how racing professionals preserve both the sport and their status quo.
This unique "behind the scenes" description of British flat racing is based on first hand experiences in Newmarket, the Suffolk town regarded as the international headquarters of the sport. Cassidy offers an insider's look at the rituals of horseracing--including those on the racecourse and at the bloodstock auction--and shows how racing, betting and the bloodstock industry are connected. Her insightful descriptions of the class structure of Newmarket explain how racing professionals preserve both the sport and their status quo.
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