FORM
By Kieren Fallon, with Oliver Holt
Published by Simon & Schuster £20
Recognised as one of the most talented jockeys of his generation, attracting the support of Sir Michael Stoute and Ballydoyle, Kieren Fallon’s career also courted controversy. An Old Bailey trial on charges of alleged race-fixing seriously damaged the reputation of the six-time champion, in spite of the judge ruling that there was no case to answer.
Fallon provides a most honest account of his life, right up to recent times when he was treated for depression, something he reckons he descended into after the Old Bailey case. From his early life in Clare and up to the present day, Fallon’s story is another insight into the pressured lives of our top sportsmen and this book is sure to be a bestseller.
QUEENS OF THE TURF
Edited by Andrew Pennington
Published by Racing Post Books £18.99
How anyone could narrow a list of some of the greatest racemares in history down to a single volume of 50 such luminaries is beyond impossible. Ask any panel and you will probably find that the shortlist is nearer 250! Hats off to Andrew Pennington therefore who has brought 50 essays on the Queens of the Turf together in one very appealing volume.
National Hunt stars Dawn Run and Solerina have made the list (and therein lies the first argument!), while champions and heroines from the USA and Australia join their European counterparts on the list. I found the essay on Hungarian champion Kincsem, unbeaten in 54 races in the 1870s, one of the best. It was written by Alastair Down. A book to dip into and highly recommended.
MOMENTS IN THE SUN
Tales from the
Punter’s Pal
By Claude Duval
Published by Racing Post Books £20
In 2016 racing ‘lost’ one of its best-known racing correspondents when Claude Duval retired after almost five decades, though thankfully he still graces the pressroom at all of the major race days in Britain. Known as the Punter’s Pal, he writes in a most engaging way and the 27 chapters all have great appeal, and many of them have more than passing interest to Irish readers.
He talks at length about the fairy tale exploits of Tom Foley and Fergie Sutherland at Cheltenham, was very close to Bobby Beasley (the book includes a marvellous portrait shot of him with a picture of Captain Christy), and devotes a chapter to “the remarkable Mick O’Toole, who I first met in the seventies.” This is a book that would be a perfect stocking filler for any racing fan.
DOROTHY PAGET: The
eccentric Queen
of the Sport
of Kings
By Graham Sharpe and Declan Colley
Published by Racing Post Books £25
Co-authored by Irishman Declan Colley, this is a fascinating look at the life of one of the turf’s most successful owners, and one of its most eccentric. As the dispersal of Ballymacoll Stud is underway, it is worth remembering that its most recent owners purchased the farm and all of its stock from the Honourable Miss Paget. She was a phenomenon and her fame has endured.
Owner of the Derby winner Straight Deal, the five-time Gold Cup winner Golden Miller (also won the Grand National), and the Champion Hurdle winners Insurance and Distel, she was once described by the late Sir Peter O’Sullevan as ‘the antithesis of charismatic’. She truly lives up to the old adage of ‘poor little rich girl’ through the pages of this biography.
FESTIVAL FEVER
The Irish at
Cheltenham
By Anne Holland
Published by The O’Brien Press €19.99/£16.99
Bang up to the minute, including coverage and stories from the 2017 Cheltenham Festival, Anne Holland’s love for her topic shines through in this 240-page volume. Her energy and interest in the subject is palpable throughout and she writes in an easy style that brings the reader along at a great gallop. Even if you have never been to Cheltenham, you will feel you were.
It is often said of a book that you can dip in and out of it and always find something new. The style of the book encourages that, with each of the eight chapters being further divided into stories, none of which are too long or lose the interest of the reader. Trainers, jockeys, horses, owners and breeders all get a chance to star. A book for any National Hunt fan.
CHURCHILL AT THE
GALLOP
By Brough Scott
Published by Racing Post Books £25
Sir Winston Churchill is one of the foremost figures in world history, yet few probably appreciate his connections with Ireland or his love of horses. He spent part of his youth at Emo Park in Co Laois and it was there that he had one of his earliest falls – from a donkey! Thankfully that did not dampen his enthusiasm and he actually hunted until he was in his 80s.
Late in life he was to also enjoy great success as a racehorse owner and breeder and he had a long and fruitful association with Captain Tim Rogers of Airlie Stud. This fine work, a real gem, from the pen of Brough Scott has many wonderful stories. Did you know that for a time Churchill lived at Banstead Manor, now home to the brilliant Frankel? This is a book to savour.
THE RACEHORSE WHO
DISAPPEARED
By Clare Balding
Published by Penguin Random House €12.99/£10.99
No one needs an introduction to Clare Balding. She is omnipresent on our screens thanks to her ability to present just about any type of programme. What is less well-known about her is that she is an accomplished author, and of books for children. The latest is a follow-up to her bestselling children’s debut The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop.
In that book the reluctant Noble Warrior eventually progressed to winning the Derby, saving Charlie Bass’ family from financial ruin. With life returning to normal, drama returns when the classic winner is stolen from Folly Farm under cover of darkness. The police are baffled when no trace of the horse can be found, leading to Charlie launching her own investigation.