The Sport of Queens: The Autobiography of Dick Francis
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- Synopsis
- Dick Francis is one of the best horsemen in England. He is also a suspense novelist. "A fine mystery writer-perhaps one of the best in the English language," says a reviewer in the Thoroughbred Record. "Dick Francis turns out to be a writer of champion class," says the London Times. "Mr. Francis is not only a very fine writer, but he is an authority on aspects of the thoroughbred scene," says Bing Crosby. Dick Francis (Welshman, ex-jockey, now Racing Editor of London's Sunday Express), author of such popular novels as Blood Sport and Flying Finish, talks about his early life in this informative, beguiling book which will fascinate racing fans and horse lovers and will be of great interest to the readers of his fiction. "I learned to ride, when I was five, on a donkey," says Dick Francis. He learned on his grandfather's farm in Pembrokeshire. His grandfather, Willie Thomas, "was a great man in the Victorian tradition. I remember him as a tall man and certainly he was a popular man. Nearly all our food came from the farm itself. Butter and cheese were made in the dairy and twice a week the great kitchen would be filled with the unique warm-winey smell of bread baking Although the smells and warmth of the kitchen were enticing, the stables drew me most. My grandfather rode to hounds regularly two or three days a week, and he was justly proud of his hunters which he used to breed with great care and success." During most of Dick Francis' childhood his father was the manager of W J. Smith's Hunting Stables and many of the Royal Family were among his father's pupils and patrons. Young Dick Francis had the opportunity to ride every sort of pony. Soon his father was asking his advice about horses and Dick was winning prizes as the "Best Boy Rider." He tells how he worked toward becoming a jockey, and describes vividly the day- to-day perils and pleasures of life as a steeplechase jockey. He talks about his war years with the R.A.F., compares American and English racing and gives firsthand information about many of the world's most famous tracks and famous horse owners. It all added up to an exciting life, and he shares it with his readers-up to the fatal moment when, leading the field in the 1956 Grand National, his horse, the Queen Mother's Devon Loch, fell mysteriously a breath away from the winning post.
- Copyright:
- 1969
Book Details
- Book Quality:
- Excellent
- Book Size:
- 255 Pages
- Publisher:
- Harper & Row
- Date of Addition:
- 04/11/11
- Copyrighted By:
- Dick Francis
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Has Image Descriptions:
- No
- Categories:
- Nonfiction, Sports, Animals, Literature and Fiction, Language Arts
- Submitted By:
- Shelley L. Rhodes
- Proofread By:
- BookMouse
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.
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