Description
In 1955, Reginald Gill - milkman and part-time illegal bookie - took his 12-year-old son Roy to the Spring meeting at Epsom Downs Racecourse. It was a trip that started a life-long passion for racing. In the half-century since, Roy Gill has visited every racecourse in the UK and Ireland at least once. Many courses have been closed down, some have moved their location, but every racecourse he visited is vividly recalled in this very personal and highly readable account. By the time he reached Tralee in 1992, Roy Gill was 99 not out on individual racecourses, and continues to attend race meetings whenever he can. He has included the new courses at Great Leighs and Ffos Las, and returned to Wolverhampton and Limerick, which have moved from their original locations. Along with brief histories of every racecourse visited, the highs and lows of both Flat and National Hunt racing are revealed here by an acknowledged expert - and bona fide Turf Accountant. The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs (many of them previously unseen and unpublished), course diagrams and fascinating racing memorabilia.It includes the noteworthy occurrences and behind-the-scene stories of each venue, as well as personal anecdotes about the courses, the horses, the jockeys and trainers. Told with humour and passion, this entertaining and informative work is essential reading for all lovers of the Turf, and also a valuable spotlight on the sporting and social history of these sceptered isles.
About the Author
Roy Gill was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey in 1938. His father Reginald was a milkman (horse-drawn, of course) but in his spare time was also an illegal bookmaker - at their local racecourse, Epsom, licences were sometimes overlooked and Reginald often worked on the Hill. Racing was an integral part of family life, but it was not until he was 12 years old that the young Roy was allowed to accompany his father to the races. From that moment he was hooked. After boarding school, Roy spent a short time in the Royal Navy before embarking on a career in bookmaking, learning the ropes at the London School of Turf Accountancy. Every spare moment was spent visiting racecourses - at first in England and eventually round to the whole of the UK and Ireland. The journey that began at Epsom in 1955 was completed at Tralee in 1992 when he had visited every racecourse under Flat and National Hunt rules, making a total of 107 meetings.
Book Information
ISBN 9781909339071
Author Roy Gill
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint Medina Publishing Ltd
Publisher Medina Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 800g
Dimensions(mm) 218mm * 210mm * 12mm
About the Author
Roy Gill was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey in 1938. His father Reginald was a milkman (horse-drawn, of course) but in his spare time was also an illegal bookmaker - at their local racecourse, Epsom, licences were sometimes overlooked and Reginald often worked on the Hill. Racing was an integral part of family life, but it was not until he was 12 years old that the young Roy was allowed to accompany his father to the races. From that moment he was hooked. After boarding school, Roy spent a short time in the Royal Navy before embarking on a career in bookmaking, learning the ropes at the London School of Turf Accountancy. Every spare moment was spent visiting racecourses - at first in England and eventually round to the whole of the UK and Ireland. The journey that began at Epsom in 1955 was completed at Tralee in 1992 when he had visited every racecourse under Flat and National Hunt rules, making a total of 107 meetings.
Book Information
ISBN 9781909339071
Author Roy Gill
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint Medina Publishing Ltd
Publisher Medina Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 800g
Dimensions(mm) 218mm * 210mm * 12mm
