Few sports are able to capture the imagination as much as horse racing.
Watching live action is exhilarating, but there is always more to some of the biggest victories recorded on track: making documentaries and films must-see for eager fans and reading articles on expert websites, such as TwinSpires.
However, books have typically been the best route in finding out how champions are made, with comments from trainers and jockeys who are closest to some of the most memorable horses in history giving greater insight into the thought process involved in creating a champion thoroughbred.
But, what are some of the must-red books focused on the sport of horse racing?
A Day at the Races- Peter May
Peter May’s A Day at the Races is one of the must-read books on the market for all fans of the sport.
The book goes into great detail surrounding some of the biggest wins recorded in the sport, and the wider impact felt in a cultural sense. The stories are told by those closest to the action, and covers the introductions of Classics around the world, and the significance of the introduction of steeplechase racing.
It also covers controversial races such as the Derby Day fraud, the desolation of Fred Archer, and relives historic wins recorded by stars such as Man o’ War, Lester Piggott, and National Velvet. A ranging book, which leaves no stone unturned.
The Jumping Game- Henrietta Knight
Henrietta Knight has achieved everything that there is to achieve in jumps racing, and she peels back the curtain of her success in her book ‘The Jumping Game’.
This book goes into detail as to how she operates and executes plans for some of the biggest stars in the game, and also delves into the success achieved by other trainers at the top of the sport, including Irish maestro Willie Mullins and dominant British trainer Paul Nicholls.
Knight retells her stories from her perspective, and the nerves and confidence that she felt when watching her stable stars in action in some of the biggest races. Her words leap off the page, and her insight in the sport is backed up by her memorable wins with Best Mate, who was a triple-winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2002 and 2004.
Frankel: The Greatest Racehorse of All Time and the Sport That Made Him
Simon Cooper’s release of Frankel: The Greatest Racehorse of All Time and the Sport That Made Him is one of the most fascinating insights behind a modern day legend of the game.
It retells the story of Frankel from birth to his exhilarating performances on the track. The story is told from the perspective of those closest to him, including the owner that always believed that he would reach the very highest level of the sport. Sir Henry Cecil’s comments in the book are also fascinating, as he recounts the victories on the track that made the world step up and notice his excellence.
That includes stories from his excellent win in the 2,000 Guineas, before decimating fields in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Champion Stakes. He remains one of the highest rated horses in history based on Timeform ratings, and he has produced future champions such as Adayar, Hurricane Lane, and Alpanista.
How’s Your Dad? – Mick Channon
Mick Channon is one of the most fascinating characters in the history of horse racing, and his 2017 release of How’s Your Dad, is a must-read for all lovers of the sport.
Not only that, but it is also a must-read for lovers of soccer. The book covers his relationship with his father, who mastered the world of professional soccer, before later conquering the world of racing.
Channon Jr’s book follows his struggles to live up to the family name, with many always comparing him to the successes that his father enjoyed across both sports. It offers an excellent insight behind a family yard, and the struggles that must be overcome when taking over from a legend in the game.
Gambling For Life- Harry Findlay
One of the most interesting horse racing books on the market is written by Harry Findlay and is called Gambling For Life.
It offers an insightful look into life as a professional gambler, and it is a critically acclaimed book focused on his life, which was long listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2017. The book follows Findlay as he turns his back on a nine-to-five job in the hope of risking it all and making a living betting on sports.
Throughout his life, Findlay enjoyed a legendary reputation, and overall he won just over £20 million. But, as is the life of a professional gambler, he was forced to spend more than that to win it. The book retells his story from start to finish and the feelings that he has when placing some of his biggest bets.
