- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Racing Post; First Edition edition (16 April 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 190515660X
- ISBN-13: 978-1905156603
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
170,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #33 in Books > Biography > Social & Health Issues > Gambling Addiction
- #55 in Books > Biography > Sport > Horse Racing
Enemy Number One
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
A fascinating insight into the mind of someone whose brain ticks a whole lot quicker and more precisely than most --John Francome
Patrick has one of the sharpest minds in racing. His book gives a fascinating insight into the discipline of punting --William Haggas, Derby-winning trainer
The mega gamble was orchestrated by Patrick Veitch, one of the shrewdest and most organised gamblers in the country ... Timing his strike with military precision, Veitch crept under the radar --Sunday Times
Patrick has one of the sharpest minds in racing. His book gives a fascinating insight into the discipline of punting --William Haggas, Derby-winning trainer
The mega gamble was orchestrated by Patrick Veitch, one of the shrewdest and most organised gamblers in the country ... Timing his strike with military precision, Veitch crept under the radar --Sunday Times
Product Description
Enemy Number One is the sensational inside story of Patrick Veitch, the UK's most feared professional punter, and how he overcame adversity to take the bookmakers for more than £10 million over an eight-year period.
Enemy Number One offers an often controversial but utterly fascinating insight into Veitch's life of punting. For anyone who likes the occasional bet or who takes gambling seriously and has both the 'brain surgeon' and 'mad axeman' capabilities to do it there is more to be gleaned from this book than probably any other betting book.
Veitch is no ordinary punter. Enemy Number One documents an eight-year period of profits in excess of £10 million. It also chronicles the tactical headaches of placing bets with the bookmakers using Veitch's vast network of agents and sub-agents.
Veitch has had no comfortable ride, though. Just a short while after becoming a full-time punter he was the victim of an extortion attempt by a dangerous criminal who was subsequently tried twice for murder and later convicted of attempted murder. Veitch was forced to flee and go into hiding, returning to Cambridge to testify in a bulletproof jacket with police protection.
With the criminal behind bars, Veitch, in dire financial straits, resolved to take on the bookmakers in his comeback year on a greater scale than ever before. Enemy Number One details his role as the man behind the famous Exponential coup, winning the Scoop6 and his success as an owner/punter. He describes his Fundamental Principle of Betting Theory to explain why the approach of most punters is fatally flawed and details the approach that is needed in order to succeed. He also provides in-depth coverage of a full day in his work as a professional punter.
Told in Veitch's own candid ice-cool style, with an intelligent wit throughout, this is quite simply a compelling read.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
His winning technique comes down to total dedication. Other than that he sheds little light on the subject.
It would have been of some use telling us how he analysed a race and how he built a library of videos of races (not easy now let alone back in those days).
Also there would have ben a good story in the mechanics of getting the bets on, but yet again no details were given.
His reason for leaving out these items was to 'not give away his secrets' which was a bit rich as the book was supposedly about how he was No 1.
Ultimately the book is little more than a few private anecdotes and repetition of 'how he won a lot of money'.
It would have been of some use telling us how he analysed a race and how he built a library of videos of races (not easy now let alone back in those days).
Also there would have ben a good story in the mechanics of getting the bets on, but yet again no details were given.
His reason for leaving out these items was to 'not give away his secrets' which was a bit rich as the book was supposedly about how he was No 1.
Ultimately the book is little more than a few private anecdotes and repetition of 'how he won a lot of money'.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The 'Secrets' are the same 'secrets' that are behind anyone who excels in their chosen field: extreme focus, profound knowledge of the subject, total belief in your own ability and expertise, and plain hard work and determination! Mr Veitch's approach is similar to that exemplified by the legendary american 'gambler,' Pittsburg Phil. He too used a network of agents to put on his bets, and had such a profound knowledge of his horses that he could 'visualize' how a race was going to be run. It's easier now with videos available, but in order to have that absolute confidence in your selections, you need to have done the groundwork and investigated how races are run, how horses are trained, and how they are placed - and why they lose! Mr Veitch describes how he devoted hours studying the form book - and ruefully acknowledges that now - with so many data bases available - that work can be done in a fraction of the time. But it still needs to be done. Basically, anyone can accumulate the required knowledge - how you use it is paramount.
Mr Veitch's approach also reminds me of the one outlined in Stewart Simpsons's book 'Always Back Winners,' in that one notes horses which indicate they have greater ability than the bare form suggests.
If you take his many examples and access the data available at the Racing Post website, you can follow some of Mr Veitch's thinking and planning. He is undoubtedly a very astute and intelligent 'gambler,' but he has the characteristics that would have made him a success in whatever field he chose. For anyone who has a serious interest in backing horses, this book is a rattling good read - entertaining and informative. The only thing is - he reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld!
Mr Veitch's approach also reminds me of the one outlined in Stewart Simpsons's book 'Always Back Winners,' in that one notes horses which indicate they have greater ability than the bare form suggests.
If you take his many examples and access the data available at the Racing Post website, you can follow some of Mr Veitch's thinking and planning. He is undoubtedly a very astute and intelligent 'gambler,' but he has the characteristics that would have made him a success in whatever field he chose. For anyone who has a serious interest in backing horses, this book is a rattling good read - entertaining and informative. The only thing is - he reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld!
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book really takes you inside the life of a professional gambler. There is a huge amount of detail about Patrick Veitch's betting and the major operation needed to get his bets on. He also takes the reader through one full day, from the selection process in the morning to precise details of the betting in the afternoon and evening. Finally he covers betting theory, explaining what is needed to be successful, both in terms of the method and also the mental side, coping with the pressure and periods of losses.
A must read for anyone who likes a bet.
A must read for anyone who likes a bet.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
enemy number one
This was a book my partner had been looking to buy for a while so I thought I would suprise him for christmas. Read more
Published 5 months ago by jinny
Exciting stuff!
A very interesting insight into the betting world, the author has obviously been very successful over the years but at some cost to himself.
Published 7 months ago by Boomer
Disappointing as i expected much more
As a successful horse punter (fractional size of Mr Veitch) I was disappointed in most of the book as it was just a weekly list, week after week. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sanj
A MUST READ FOR ANY PUNTER !!!!!!!!
I found this book to be a fascinating read from start to finish, it really lays bear the reasons why 98% of people are losing punters. Read more
Published 9 months ago by John Stoneley
Not the Derby...
This was okay, but if this book was a horse race it would be a short sprint on a wet Wednesday evening in Wolverhampton and not the Epsom Derby. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Michael Ashfield
Inspiring read
This is one of those books that will give you an insight into the colourful life of Patrick Veitch. The book touches on some form elements and staking but on the whole, is more of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Australian Punter
not number one
if you think you will become a top gambler after reading this book think again,because the author doesn't give much away about how he picks winners. Read more
Published 17 months ago by wattsy64
ARE THESE THE SECRETS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
Whilst this was a fascinating and compelling insight into the life of a living dangerously, highly successful professional gambler I was somewhat dissapointed. Read more
Published 17 months ago by B. Sebborn
Fantastic book !
For the idiots who are moaning that he does not give much away,the reason is if he did the bookies would use this to their own advantage. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Conor
Dreams into reality
The title is a little dramatical but hints at the fantasy world Patrick Veitch has created for himself. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Chris George
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