Frankincense and More
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Review
Inside story that is pure gold. --Racing Post
a gripping story...I can't recommend it enough --Claude Duval, The Sun
An absorbing account of another self-made man --Simon Redfern, The Independent
a gripping story...I can't recommend it enough --Claude Duval, The Sun
An absorbing account of another self-made man --Simon Redfern, The Independent
Product Description
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 stable-lad 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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Antibiography!
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. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lord Lucan
Frankincense and More
An excellent read. Well written, interesting and providing a fascinating insight into the training methods and family life of the great Barry Hills. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Knowles
Life of BW Hills
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. Read more
Published 16 months ago by stivron
Frankincense and More
Very well written by an author that understands horse racing. Mr Oakley's biography is an excellent read and strongly recommended. Read more
Published 16 months ago by K. Jones
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 17 months ago by carole
Not well written, sloppy, and not very interesting
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... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Gerry
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 18 months ago by Stephen W. Barrow
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