Valley of the Racehorse: A Year in the Life of Lambourn

---

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Lambourn is the home of racing, rivalled only by Newmarket, with over 4000 racehorses based there. In Robin Oakley's marvellously evocative account of a year in the life of this village, he reveals the way the racing world works. Talking to jockeys, trainers, stable lads and even the local pub landlord, Oakley has an uncanny eye for the great characters that make racing what it is - people like Jenny Pitman, Charlie Brooks, Jamie Osborne as well as those almost unknown beyond the village such as Eddie Fisher who prepares the training grounds. Oakley shows how close to reality the novels of Jilly Cooper and Dick Francis really are.

Reviews

A shrewd and searching behind-the-scenes report on the everyday life of Lambourn - Observer

Entertaining and interesting - Scotland on Sunday

A splendid account of Lambourn - John Oaksey, Spectator

Robin Oakley has faultlessly sketched the mood and character of the place ... Thoroughly recommended - Racing Post

If you need to buy a book for a racing nut this Christmas, look no further. It's an absolute gem. - Eastern Daily Press

Compelling ... A fascinating account of the rigours of the racing year from trainers, stable staff, jockeys and even the local pub landlord - Country Life

A delightful little book about the Berkshire village where horses matter more than people - Sunday Telegraph

Author Bio

Robin Oakley was educated at Oxford University and after working for several newspapers he became political editor of The Times in 1986. Since 1992 he has been political editor of the BBC. In 1995 he began a weekly column on his greatest love, racing, for the Spectator. He is married and has two children.