An Arm And Four Legs

Oct 7, 2024 12:29 AM

Author:Stan Hey

Ever wondered what it might be like to own a horse, not just back it with a pony on the nose - own it? Stan Hey did. A veteran of the windswept racecourses of National Hunt he finally decided to stop betting on other people's horses and join the inner circle. With the growth of partnerships and syndicates this has become increasingly possible so four horses, two trainers, and a few thousand pounds later Stan Hey had this story to tell. An Arm and Four Legs is his honest account of the pitfalls of racehorse ownership. Its fierce disappointments, escalating costs, skulduggery and deceit are set alongside the intense pleasure offered by an afternoon spent at the track, drinking, betting and chatting to your trainer while the rest of the world has its feet tucked under a desk.

Reviews

An excellent autobiography

—— Matt Cooper , The Last Word

A compelling read, ... a story of glory and friendship, of fear and uncertainty and of love. Love of rugby, love of Munster, love of the life he has led

—— Rugby World

A bright, energetic and poignant depiction of a colourful sportsman

—— The Sunday Times

You can't put it down... a tremendous read, highly recommended

—— Irish Examiner

A inspiring story

—— Irish Independent

Thomson undertakes a 400-mile journey coast-to-coast along drover paths, bramble-filled ditches and half-forgotten tracks, discovering remnants of forgotten cultures in this celebration of old England and its heritage.

—— Daily Mail

Thomson provides a solid sense of place and the reader gets to know the route and its distinctive features.

—— Times Literary Supplement

This sparky account of a walk from Dorset to Norfolk had this reader nodding about the "strikingly neurotic behaviour… that often lies beneath the English skin" in the characters of Wind in the Willows, applauding the recognition that "Empire didn't suit us. It brought out the bossy, inflexible, hierarchical side" and whooping at Thomson's use of tie and clipboard to enter the officially imposed sanctum sanctorum of Stonehenge.

—— Independent

Gently told, with rich humour and an enjoyable sense of inquiry.

—— The Times

The tale of the spectator Lemond-Hinault rivalry over the roads of the 'greatest ever' Tour de France in 1986 is hardly unknown for most cycling fan - and yet Moore magnificently offers a fresh perspective, bringing alive this supreme tussle by resorting to some vintage toilet humour... His book is a gripping read

—— UK.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog/blazin-saddles

[Moore] entertainingly unravels the complexities of the relationships within the peloton

—— Richard Williams , Guardian

One of Bike Radar’s favourite books of the past 12 months

—— Bike Radar

Moore unearths a dazzling array of detail through interviews and anecdotes, telling a tale that holds suspense even for those who know the ultimate outcome of this epic battle. As racing books go, Moore’s book just might be “the greatest ever"

—— Kent Petersen , Outside Magazine

The measure of a great book is a great start.Richard Moore’s introductory anecdote in Slaying the Badger set a new standard in cycling literature

—— Cycle Sport

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