Racing's Greatest Characters

This sport of kings has excelled in attracting colourful characters throughout its vast and fascinating history and Racing's Greatest Characters lifts you over the jumps and gallops you down the flat to get you up close and personal with a stable full of guaranteed winners - on and off the racecourse. Personalities include Ken 'window cleaner' Payne, the scourge of bookies with his two year old coups which may or may not have been strictly legal; George Alexander 'The Squire' Baird, racing and gambling mad consort of legendary 19th century beauty, Lily Langtry; and Charles Hannam, one of the mega punters of the early 20th century. This fascinating collection will enlighten and inform readers about racing characters whose names may be familiar, but whose backgrounds may have always been something of a mystery or closed book, such as ground breaking jockey and trainer Gay Kelleway; media friendly bookie, Barry Dennis; maverick trainer/punter, Barney Curley. Other legendary names include Lester Piggott, Tony McCoy, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Henry Cecil, John Francome, Sir Gordon Richards, Frankie Dettori and Sir Michael Stoute. And of course, the equine characters of racing have not been forgotten: Red Rum, Desert Orchid, Sea Pigeon, Shergar, and many more - such as unsung record breaker, Amrullah - make appearances in this quirky, irresistible romp through the turf's most enduring personalities, with two legs or four. Graham Sharpe is head of public relations for William Hill and author of a number of best selling sports, and specifically racing, books.