Biographies

I buy just about every racing book going but it always amuses me how some biographies, and autobiographies, are published when the subject has only lived about half their life.
 
Lol, I often find myself thinking that DG!!

Well so far so good, I know nothing really about Vincent O'Brien's life - and I'm enjoying this so far. :)
 
Martin Pipes book was a good read.

Particularly enjoyed Donn McCleans book on Moscow Flyer

The Danoli story is also a super read.

Messers Walsh and McCoy have two auto bios I found particularly disappointing.
 
Bobby Beasley's autobiography the best I've read, unless you count oldies like Sods I Have Cut On The Turf (Jack Leach) or Men And Horses I Have Known (George Lambton). Both of those are top-notchers.
 
Will keep an eye out for these others you lot are mentioning too - thankyou !! :)
I've got AP's (read it ages ago and think I remember thinking it was ok) and somewhere I've got frankie dettori's too, should give that a go sometime...
 
The VIncent O'Brien book is one of the best. It is something when you realise what an incredible trainer he was under both codes for such a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
Richard Dunwoodys book goes places very few Autobiogs go bar Tony Cascarino (well known Irish Player with zero Irish blood in him; what a burger he would have made!!"
Birthday boy Sir Peter O Sullevan's book by far the most enjoyable read: the first five chapters had me in stitches laughing.
Vintage Crop by DK Weld quite interesting.
The Vincent O Brien book does not include many details that might not exactly flatter him bar the Ballymoss episode of McShain not tipping the staff and O Briens response.
 
The second hand and charity shops in Cheltenham are a treasure trove of racing books for anyone not flying Ryanair (which I am unfortuanately; if I wasnt I might not be telling you )
They are displayed on the windows all race week.
 
For Timeform aficionados and for those attracted to odd-balls, Bull: The Biography by Howard Wright is a good read and makes a decent attempt at unravelling the character of a complex, singular individual and successful bettor: the latter demands the former doesn't it?
 
Barry Brogan's bio is a great read - it was published in the early 1980's but left me with one question "How did he ever stay on a horse?"
 
Defo making the trip early when I go up for the HC evening ( Irish Stamp - want a lift??!) and spending time in the charideee shops before it starts.....

You lot are amazing, lots of ideas now for what to come next - thankyou :D
 
Best charity shop for racing books Trudi is the British Heart Foundation book shop in Winchcombe Street next to William Hills ( off the High Street)
 
I enjoyed Dunwoody's, didn't know him well from his racing days but not all 'I won this and I won that', and brutally honest in places.
Ginger McCain, My Colourful Life (from Red to Amber) -may be thought a bit soppy by some but worth a read.
 
I could never in a million years relate to Dunwoody. He did that charity thing where he got up every hour to repeatedly bang his head on the wall or something. Beyond me. Just write a fcking chq

But what a fine bio. Really good read and quite gripping. one of the best sporting bios full stop

Agree about Pitmans book on Pipe too. That was a fine read.

Not quite a bio but as good a book on racing as ive read is simon Barnes on a season at john Dunlops stable. Title escapes me

Best racing book full stop for me was the one on the season at Suffolk Downs.
 
clivex said:
Not quite a bio but as good a book on racing as ive read is simon Barnes on a season at john Dunlops stable. Title escapes me
Click to expand...

Horsesweat and Tears.

Several copies available for 67p each plus postage on Abebooks.
 
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