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I notice that, a couple of days ago, someone launched an article about the ‘Worst Horse Racing book ever written.’ As more of a positive (half full) type character, I would prefer to focus on the positive and invite suggestions about the top 20 racing books likely to stand the test of time. At least one person chose to criticise Chris Pitt’s book ‘A Long Time Gone’, not fully appreciating it was never meant to be bedtime reading from cover to cover in one go, but used to dip into and enjoy, like a single malt.
As replies and opinions come in on what should be in the top 20, I will keep a list of the on-going top 20 until Christmas day when ‘our’ final list can be constructed. I firmly believe that, in one hundred years time, racing historians will still be using ‘A Long Time Gone’ by Chris Pitt and would like to catapult it to the top of the list until someone proposes a better option. What do you think will still be used in 100 years time?You prat
Where did I say I read or tried to read it from cover to cover?
A “reference” book can still be moderately written and that’s what it was imo
Surprisingly given that I don’t really follow American racing the two books that I believe are stand outs are
Seabiscuit. Obvious but a beautifully moving tale told in a unsentimental manner and wonderfully written. A truly great sports book by any standards
Not by a long shot. An account of a year at Suffolk downs racecourse. Gripping and wide ranging and again wonderfully put together
Both these books are more than just about the sport itself and have the right emphasis on human (and sometimes equine) nature, which is the key to why they will they will be readable in 100 years time whilst a dreary bio of a long forgotten jockey will not be
Very grateful Clivexx for the positive comment. I think Seabiscuit must go to the top of the pile, and agree with you that it will still be read in a 100 years time.
Current standing:-
1. Seabiscuit
2. A Long Time Gone
3. Not by a Long ShotDashingcustomer,
There’s been several ‘best racing books’ threads on TRF, the most recent of which is here:
Don’t concern yourself with Clivexxxxx’s erm…forthright manner, he’s a sweetie really
Are you going on to the TRF subs bench Clive, for the big match against Talking Horses?
Good to be reading your missives again
No drone. Happy to give that place a permenant wide berth of course. Enough said
Good thread though in fairness to dashing but that link doesn’t work
Same as many here,m I have read a good range of sports books and I would possibly suggest seabiscuit might well be the most accomplished of them all
Simon Barnes year with john dunlops stable was a gem I recall too. That could be read in the future too because once again it’s a wider ranging view of the sport and very well put together
Thanks Drone for the supportive comment and for the suggested link. Time might show that there is not a direct correlation between ‘The best book ever written’ and a book that stands the test of time. I am sure that a horse like Arkle, Frankel, Eclispe or Seabiscuit will still be remembered in 100 years time, so that the best books about those horses will also still be valued. However, I have used the suggested link to form the following as being most likely to stand the test of time:-
1. A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt
2. Seabiscuit
3. Eclipse; The horse that changed horse racing forever
4. Arkle by Ivor Herbert
5. Men and Horses I have known by George Lambton
6. Brigadier Gerard by John Hislop
7. McIllvanney on horse racing
8. A Jockeys Life by Dick Francis
9. Queen of the turf by Quintin Gilbey
10. Neck and Neck by John Welcome
11.Horsesweat and Tears by Simon Barnes
12. When Birmingham went racing by Chris Pitt
13. Not by a long shotMcIlvanney will definitely be read in 100 years I reckon.
Of recent books, Chris McGrath’s Mr. Darley’s Arabian is one that I think will stand a real test of time. Having read it to review it, I’m now re-reading it and savouring it and it’s a real historical treasure trove.
Timeform Chasers And Hurdlers of …. (name your year).
Just hope they continue with it in this computer age.
Latest edition arrived this week.Timeform Racehorses of … (name your year).
As well as a brilliant review of the previous season, they always get me looking forward to the coming one too.
Value Is EverythingThanks for all of the contributions to date. I will continue to update the list as opinions come in.
1. A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt
2. Seabiscuit
3. Eclipse; The horse that changed horse racing forever
4. McIllvanney on horse racing
5. Arkle by Ivor Herbert
6. Men and Horses I have known by George Lambton
7. Brigadier Gerard by John Hislop
8. A Jockeys Life by Dick Francis
9. Queen of the turf by Quintin Gilbey
10. Mr Darley’s Arabian by Chris McGrath
11. Neck and Neck by John Welcome
12. Horsesweat and Tears by Simon Barnes
13. When Birmingham went racing by Chris Pitt
14. Not by a long shot
15. Timeform chasers and hurdlers of …
16. Timeform racehorses of ….Thanks for all of the contributions to date. I suppose it is inevitable that the books which will still be used in 100 years time are likely to concern the racehorses which have been exceptional. Is the same true about exceptional trainers or jockeys? Thanks therefore to the latest emailers who have suggested Frankel, Dawn Run, A P McCoy and Henry Cecil.
1. A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt
2. Seabiscuit; Three men and a racehorse by Laura Hillenbrand
3. Eclipse; The horse that changed horse racing forever by Nicholas Clee
4. McIllvanney on horse racing
5. Arkle by Ivor Herbert
6. Men and Horses I have known by George Lambton
7. Brigadier Gerard by John Hislop
8. A Jockeys Life by Dick Francis
9. Queen of the turf by Quintin Gilbey
10. Mr Darley’s Arabian by Chris McGrath
11. Neck and Neck by John Welcome
12. Horsesweat and Tears by Simon Barnes
13. Frankel, edited by Andy Pennington
14. Dawn Run by Anne Holland
15. When Birmingham went racing by Chris Pitt
16. Winner: My Racing Life by A P McCoy
17. Henry Cecil, Trainer of Genius by Brough Scott
18. Not by a long shot
19. Timeform chasers and hurdlers of …
20. Timeform racehorses of ….For anyone that hasn’t read Seabiscuit, it really is a great read but not all because of the horses achievements. The intertwining stories of owner Charles Howard, trainer Tom Smith and jockey Red Pollard all with the backdrop of the great depression and stories of what jockeys went through in those days really make it a great journey for the reader.
If you haven’t read it then go find it.
I agree that the Timeform Annuals should be near the top of this list. Also works such as Roger Mortimer’s History of the Derby Stakes and his collaborations with Peter Willet on racing and breeding, The Encyclopedia of Flat Racing for one, even though it will date, as all these studies will, the information is important and the books are well researched and written.
As for Lord Lambton’s Men and Horses I have Known, that has clearly done exactly that, stood the test of time.Of recent books Masters of Manton is good, as is the book of Foinavon, which transcends the horse racing to be a very good flavour of the era as well.
Personally I wouldn’t have the Scott Cecil biography any where near the list, appallingly poorly written and produced and monumentally boring.Thanks for your reply. What has become obvious over the past 24 hours is that, whilst people admired Henry Cecil as an exceptional trainer, few would put Brough Scott’s book in the ‘memorable’ category. However, the difficulty of including the Timeform books is that many will still be remebered in 100 years time, in the same way that very old Racing Calendars are remembered and prove useful, but is there one which stands out so much that it deserves a place on the list. I have adjusted the list, taking account of your views and those of many other people.
1. A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt
2. Seabiscuit; Three men and a racehorse by Laura Hillenbrand
3. Men and Horses I have known by George Lambton
4. Eclipse; The horse that changed horse racing forever by Nicholas Clee
5. McIllvanney on horse racing
6. Arkle by Ivor Herbert
7. Brigadier Gerard by John Hislop
8. A Jockeys Life by Dick Francis
9. Queen of the turf by Quintin Gilbey
10. Mr Darley’s Arabian by Chris McGrath
11. Neck and Neck by John Welcome
12. Horsesweat and Tears by Simon Barnes
13. Frankel, edited by Andy Pennington
14. Dawn Run by Anne Holland
15. When Birmingham went racing by Chris Pitt
16. Winner: My Racing Life by A P McCoy
17. Masters of Manton by Paul Mathieu
18. Foinavon by David Owen
19. Not by a long shot
20. Timeform racehorses of ….11. Neck and Neck by John Welcome
I rather think that should read Neck Or Nothing DC.
It’s a biography of Bob Sievier (1860-1939), owner, trainer, rake, womaniser and fearless gambler – in fact, all I aspired to be as a young man. (I failed on 5 counts.)
Sievier is, of course, best remembered for his association with Sceptre.
I have adjusted the list, taking account of your views and those of many other people.
1. A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt
2. Seabiscuit; Three men and a racehorse by Laura Hillenbrand
3. Men and Horses I have known by George Lambton
4. Eclipse; The horse that changed horse racing forever by Nicholas Clee
5. McIllvanney on horse racing
6. Arkle by Ivor Herbert
7. Brigadier Gerard by John Hislop
8. A Jockeys Life by Dick Francis
9. Queen of the turf by Quintin Gilbey
10. Mr Darley’s Arabian by Chris McGrath
11. Neck or Nothing: The extraordinary life of Bob Siever by John Welcome
12. Horsesweat and Tears by Simon Barnes
13. Frankel, edited by Andy Pennington
14. Dawn Run by Anne Holland
15. When Birmingham went racing by Chris Pitt
16. Winner: My Racing Life by A P McCoy
17. Masters of Manton by Paul Mathieu
18. Foinavon by David Owen
19. Not by a long shot
20. Timeform racehorses of ….
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