The son of a stable head lad, Barry Hills fascinating story charts how he rose to be one of the leading trainers of all time. He placed a shrewd bet on a horse called Frankincense in the 1968 Lincoln race, the winnings of which were enough to set himself up with his own training yard in Lambourn. In many ways this is a social history of our times; how the son of a stablelad managed to quickly establish his owner-base from amongst the turf establishment and aristocracy which even in the Sixties was still riddled in the old class consciousness of pre-war society. Over the years Hills successes on the track have been legendary; there have also been disappointments. Barry Hills has also spawned a racing dynasty of five sons all in racing. His son Charlie is now ably helping him to maintain the yard s success, whilst his father recovers from serious illness. Frankincense and More is an entertaining and informative read that digs deep to unravel how Hills got to and remained at the top for so long.
Frankincense and More: The Biography of Barry Hills
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About the Author
ROBIN OAKLEY is the former BBC political editor, and CNN European political editor. He is racing correspondent of the FT and The Spectator magazine and has written several books on politics and racing.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Catrin Nack
Format:Hardcover
"Frankincense and More" - the title referring to the horse who carried out Barry Hills' life-changing gamble in the Lincoln Handicap - is Robin Oakleys second Racing-book; I know the first one came in for some critic from Lambourn-insiders, but I liked "Valley of the Horses" and I liked this one just as well.
Barry Hills' life is certainly worth a story or two (or three, or four), and Robin Oakley writes well, obviously with a lot of sympathy for his subject. After a couple of chronological chapters of Barrys early days - and the Frankincense Gamble- the story reverts to seperate chapters about horses, people and/or races who shaped Barrys life, and this concept does work very well.
Every chapter brings back memories - Manton, Robert Sangster, Guy Reed, Moonax, Further Flight, Rheingold, to name a few - and Oakley easy-to-read style, with a lot of quotes from those involved - bar the horses ! - makes you flying through the pages.
Some personal topics, such as Barrys divorce from his first wife Maureen, fall under "personal friendship" and are only touched with kidgloves, but Oakley trys hard to create some sort of balanced account, for us outsiders at least. All his sons have their own chapter - Richard and Michael obviously share one - and they all make fascinating reading.
As a Flat-Racing Fan you cannot afford to miss this book, and it certainly makes a smashing christmas pressie too !
Barry Hills' life is certainly worth a story or two (or three, or four), and Robin Oakley writes well, obviously with a lot of sympathy for his subject. After a couple of chronological chapters of Barrys early days - and the Frankincense Gamble- the story reverts to seperate chapters about horses, people and/or races who shaped Barrys life, and this concept does work very well.
Every chapter brings back memories - Manton, Robert Sangster, Guy Reed, Moonax, Further Flight, Rheingold, to name a few - and Oakley easy-to-read style, with a lot of quotes from those involved - bar the horses ! - makes you flying through the pages.
Some personal topics, such as Barrys divorce from his first wife Maureen, fall under "personal friendship" and are only touched with kidgloves, but Oakley trys hard to create some sort of balanced account, for us outsiders at least. All his sons have their own chapter - Richard and Michael obviously share one - and they all make fascinating reading.
As a Flat-Racing Fan you cannot afford to miss this book, and it certainly makes a smashing christmas pressie too !
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book was bought for my wife who praised it from the moment she picked it up.
An excellent present for any racing fan
An excellent present for any racing fan
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An excellent book. A must for any flat racing fan and keen punter. Found the chapters covering Barry's views on betting and the Manton years particularly interesting. One comes away appreciating the shrewdness of Barry Hills.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Gerry
Format:Hardcover
I have to say I am very disappointed with this book. It is not well written, does not appear to have been properly proof-read, and is a not very interesting book about a man who has had a long and successful career and life. More than anything, it comes across as a collection of bits and pieces of facts and snippets of conversation that have been jammed together in a not very interesting way. In my opinion, the Introduction (about Frankincense and the gamble) was the most interesting chapter of the book so far. (I've read up to p82!).
Of the 18 chapters:-
Chapter 11 is entitled "John Hills: The Making of a Trainer".
Chapter 12 is entitled "The Hills Twins: Brothers and Allies".
Chapter 13 is entitled "Richard Hills"
Chapter 14 is entitled "Michael Hills"
Chapter 15 is entitled "Charles, George and Patrick Hills".
Now I'm sure Barry loves all his kids, and I'm sure they are all worthy of respect, but it's Barry I want to read about - I don't want 5 chapters on his kids and grandkids.
To justify some of my earlier comments, I would offer the following examples:-
On p22 we are told that Barry was granted his jockey's licence on 5 June 1952. On p23, we are told he had his first public ride on 3 June 1952 at Birmingham. Now I don't actually think that could have happened - that he could have had his first ride in a race under Jockey Club rules before he had been granted a licence. But at the very least, it requires a bit of explanation, surely?
On p27, we read "The cheery Willie Carson.. says Maureen was a wonderful cook" , which leaves the reader wondering - who is Maureen? Then 2 pages later, we read "Maureen Hills, Barry's first wife, says.." ... ah, I see. That's who she is!!... Read more ›
Of the 18 chapters:-
Chapter 11 is entitled "John Hills: The Making of a Trainer".
Chapter 12 is entitled "The Hills Twins: Brothers and Allies".
Chapter 13 is entitled "Richard Hills"
Chapter 14 is entitled "Michael Hills"
Chapter 15 is entitled "Charles, George and Patrick Hills".
Now I'm sure Barry loves all his kids, and I'm sure they are all worthy of respect, but it's Barry I want to read about - I don't want 5 chapters on his kids and grandkids.
To justify some of my earlier comments, I would offer the following examples:-
On p22 we are told that Barry was granted his jockey's licence on 5 June 1952. On p23, we are told he had his first public ride on 3 June 1952 at Birmingham. Now I don't actually think that could have happened - that he could have had his first ride in a race under Jockey Club rules before he had been granted a licence. But at the very least, it requires a bit of explanation, surely?
On p27, we read "The cheery Willie Carson.. says Maureen was a wonderful cook" , which leaves the reader wondering - who is Maureen? Then 2 pages later, we read "Maureen Hills, Barry's first wife, says.." ... ah, I see. That's who she is!!... Read more ›
By Lord Lucan
Format:Kindle Edition
I always thought that biographies were supposed to get under the skin of their subject. In this book you learn more about the characteristics of Mr Hill's horses.
I can understand that people like privacy; but if you wish to put your name to a document, surely you have to open up. There is little mention of his divorce, and no depth to any account of relationships. There are references to cancer and septicemia, but that is it. The reader is not told anything about what must have been dramatic parts of the subject's life. Very disappointing.
I can understand that people like privacy; but if you wish to put your name to a document, surely you have to open up. There is little mention of his divorce, and no depth to any account of relationships. There are references to cancer and septicemia, but that is it. The reader is not told anything about what must have been dramatic parts of the subject's life. Very disappointing.
By A. Knowles
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent read. Well written, interesting and providing a fascinating insight into the training methods and family life of the great Barry Hills. From his start in racing, majoring on that famous bet on Frankincense in the Lincoln, which enabled him to buy his training stables, through detailed accounts of his top horses, this is a book that can be read time and time again.
By stivron
Format:Hardcover
I was fortunate to have read excerpts from the book when it was serialised in the Racing Post so I was already gripped prior to purchasing the book.I found it easy reading. The man himself is a legend and has created a racing dynasty. I enjoyed reading of his daring exploits in the betting ring helping to relieve the strain on the bookies overbulging satchels, a refreshing change, and how he overcame ill health. He has led a most interesting life and long may it continue.
By K. Jones
Format:Hardcover
Very well written by an author that understands horse racing. Mr Oakley's biography is an excellent read and strongly recommended. An almost rags to riches story of a trainer that has created a family dynasty in the wonderful world of horseracing. Reliving past horses and races was a trip down memory lane for me and I was surprised of how many great horses the trainer had expertly handled. To be at the top of his trade for over 30 years is testament to his staying power and tenacity. The betting angle was very interesting and I would have liked the author to have dug a little deeper but the book didn't disappoint and is a winner.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read!
This is great book,interesting and easy to read.My husband is not a regular book reader and he finished Frankincense and More in one afternoon!
Published on 3 Jan 2011 by carole
3.0 out of 5 stars
I did not finish the book......
I had high expectations given the subject and the author, however although there were some interesting anecdotes, I actually did not finish the book as i became somewhat bored of... Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2010 by Stephen W. Barrow
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