Anyone read Paul Nicholls' autobiography?

Gamebird

Gamebird

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2007
Messages
8,800
Visit site
I got my husband to buy me this for Christmas (had to direct him to Waterstones 'it's the shop next to Ann Summers that's full of books', and then to the right book, despite him being relatively keen on NH racing
wink.gif
).

Have just finished it and am quite impressed by how forthright he is
crazy.gif
. I am not all that surprised by how how he says what he means about his ex-owners, but I doubt they'll be coming back now! He is also rather to the point about how some of the jockeys have ridden his horses, including Ruby, but I also think that he isn't afraid to say when he's got the jockey orders wrong, and for that I applaud him. I'm quite pleased I'm not sitting in Martin Pipe's shoes now. PN's condemnation of MP's tactics to win the trainers' championship is fairly complete
shocked.gif
. I must admit that I didn't follow this race but if MP sent out over 50% of entries in some races towards the closing days of the championship with the inevitable spectacle of horses being asked to run further than their distance and on unfavourable ground with some unpleasant pictures as a result I would not have been overly impressed. Perhaps I should wait for Martin Pipe's version before I make my judgement?

On a local basis I was fairly amused by the bad deal he got buying a horse from the Easterbys (don't you think that they saw a Southerner coming with his chequebook out?
tongue.gif
) and hadn't quite twigged that my near neighbour Mark Dwyer had been quite such a NH star in his day.

I was also quite amused by the differences between PN's account of buying Azertyuiop (bygod, that's an easy one to type
wink.gif
) and Graham Bradley's version in this week's H&H. Again - who to believe?

All in all I get the impression that I'd be pleased to work for him and feel slightly sad that I turned down the invitation to interview for a job as a work rider for him that arrived in my email inbox earlier in the year. Profession, husband, mortgage.......
frown.gif
It's a young'un's game!
wink.gif
 
Glad it sounds a good read. I bought it for my husband before Christmas but neither of us have read it yet! (I have been reading Mary King's autobiography - also a very good read.)
 
I enjoyed it very much.

Must admit it was good to read the 'other side of the story' re Timmy Murphy (as had read his AB when it came out) and always thought PN was a pig to him, but PN explains his side very well.

He certainly wasn't handed his training career on a plate thats for sure.

I also have a much more jaundiced view of Martin Pipe since reading it.

Fiona
 
Haven't read that one. Racing has never really been my 'thing' - would it appeal to someone horsey but not racey (in the non-tart-like sense of the word?
tongue.gif
)

I'm just finishing Mary King's autobiography (also a Crimbie pressie from OH) which is a decent enough but not overly taxing read!
wink.gif
 
Wierdly, I didn't like Mary King's at all- sounded off to me. Can't really put my finger on it, just a bit self-serving which she's never ever struck me as before?

Can't wait to get my hands on this one now- got to wait for little sister to finish it (could be a few years)...
 
Yes - I really enjoyed it too and admire his honesty - especially the way he said he often wishes he had clocked Martin Pipe one!!
On the subject of other biogs have to say I also loved Tony McCoy's, he came across totally differently to his media persona, and I felt real empathy with him. I also read Richard Dunwoody's and while he was never one of my fave jockeys I finished the book with a sense of distaste - I felt he had no real respect for the horses he rode. For a good laugh I would thoroughly I would thoroughly reccommend John Francome's book - really enjoyable.
 
I got 2 copies for Christmas! Good read, much more than just a diary of events which i felt Mary King's book was. I too was surprised by how forthright he was but I had heard that M Pipe was not a decent character
 
Oooh,that sounds very interesting, I must read it!!

I think that PN seems a good sort-I got offered a job with him as a work rider a few years ago but didnt take it up - PN and his staff were all exceptionally nice and friendly- Paul, Clifford, the secrectary, & the stable lads they were all so happy and chatty, which is in stark contrast to the miserable lot that you see at other top racing yards!
 
I read PN's autobiography in about 2 days, loved it made a nice change to some that just seem to be a list of dates and achievements with no real insight into the person.

I also loved Mick Fitzgerald's autobiography.
 
I enjoyed Paul's book too, and Timmy Murphy's. I know Timmy from way back and he's not the most 'revealing' of characters so i was surprised at how much he opened up in his book. I must get AP McCoy's, i didn't even realise he had one out to be honest!
 
My mum is currently reading it and enjoying it, especially his younger days in the PC (same branch as my mum) and local places and people such as the Irish's at Leyland Court.
As for working with him a friend use to work for him and he sounded like a nice employer.
 
I read it and really enjoyed it,i loved the pic of kauto,denman, etc in the paddock enjoying their hols at Paul's.That much talent in one field!...They all looked v happy.I have huge respect for PN and Ruby.

I agree I didnt like Mary K's and felt I was not so keen on her after reading it.Quite reverse with William Fox-Pitt's.

I also enjoyed AP's book and agree I thought Dunwoody was a tosser and had no love or empathy for the horses
 
I have read Martin Pipes and PN is on my list. Martin Pipes was not very insightful and he comes across as a miserable person!
I also felt he had no feel for horses but just used technology. I have met the infamous Playschool as he was retired down by me. He never raced again after that mysterious race.
 
I hvent read PNs one (yet!) must look out for that. however i have read McCoys and really enjoyed that one. Gave great insight into his thoughts on different races/horses and situations he found himself in.
Read dunwoody's and have to say I both empathised and identified with him when he wrote about how harsh he was on himself (rewatching races and never being happy with himself). It s quite a few years ago now since i read that book though so not ure about him having no love nor empathy for the horses - though maybe the rest of you get tht from how his book was very much based on his "own" troubles and not really giving much thought to the horses in it?
Other ones ive loved (though mostly biographies rather than autobiographies) were the Red Rum biog, Lester Piggot and Vincent O'Brien (thats one to get for anyone into racing!). Mouse Morris' autobiography certainly changed my opinions on a few trainers though I think in retrospect Id rather i hadnt read it - not sure hy though!
 
Richard Dunwoody came across as a nightmare but he certainly pulled no punches in his determination and how much he drove himself. I would be interested to read his latest one about life after racing but it strikes me that he is still as driven. I think its why he was such a beautiful rider and the horses looked to run so well for him.
 
I read PNs within a day of getting it
blush.gif
grin.gif


I was expecting it to be forthright, but not that much so. I had no idea about MP and what he did so much, and I am a bit
crazy.gif
about it. I did admire him quite a lot.

Was a fab read though
smile.gif
 
Loved the book, and great fan of PN generally. Such a good ambassador and always attend his parade through Ditcheat after Cheltenham. I should think Martin Pipe is curling his toes up at what he said about him (or perhaps not!). I like to think David Pipe is a much nicer sort. And as for his account of his dealings with the odious Oliver Carter......
mad.gif
 
Glad you all liked it too.

M_M - I think you would be fine with it. A lot of racing auto/biogs are just barely fleshed out lists of races and wins but this one has a real story to it and some good insights into fitness etc. which would probably translate to eventing.

I haven't seen Mary King's, though I enjoyed WFP's - especially the bits about Andrew Nicholson
wink.gif
.

Paul and Ruby are really having a cracker of a season (yet again!). First and second favourite in both the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup after today's performances. Hmmmm, wonder what the odds are for all four horses coming in???
tongue.gif
*Gamebird wonders whether the winnings would buy her the new dressage saddle that she really needs
wink.gif
. Or indeed pay the council tax bill.*
 
[ QUOTE ]
& the stable lads they were all so happy and chatty, which is in stark contrast to the miserable lot that you see at other top racing yards!

[/ QUOTE ]


How rude! Lol
tongue.gif



I'm reading Paul's now, since my colleague finally finished it and i've managed to snaffle it. Only up to chapter 4 but it's good so far. I loved reading AP's too, and Timmy M's
smile.gif
 
Not sure it is really necessary for these people to wash their dirty linen in print (Paul Nicholls re Martin Pipe, Timmy Murphy, etc and William Fox Pitt re Andrew Nicholson). Personal attacks don't have any place in an autobiography and they are there for life not like something said or done in the heat of the moment that can be forgotten. We all have done things that we wouldn't do if we had our life again but nobody is perfect. I don't know Martin Pipe personally but some friends (who are very well respected experts in their equestrian fields) do and they admire him. That's good enough for me. PN has been known to run horses over wrong trip/wrong ground/frequently etc. so what's the difference? Timmy has had his problems but has faced them and worked at them. He has put them in a book for all to see but that was his decision. Andrew has also learnt a lot through life. He is generous with his knowledge if asked and his horses love and respect him. Animals tend to be good judges.
These vendettas can have far reaching effects on many people who get caught in the crossfire so I find it hard to respect those that discredit others.
 
Glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed it too. I cant quite imagine working in such a successful yard it would be amazing. But PN most certainly worked for what he has achieved. I slightly disagree with oldvic that these people are airing their dirty laundry in public. They are not really just giving their side of stories which were in the press at the time.

The whole MP/PN thing was very interesting & to be fair thats just what MP was/is like. Its common practise in training yards to have a 'ring round' before declaration time to see what was going to run, particularly in handicaps where it actually mattered. MP never, ever told us anything ( & we were very very small fry with no personal axe to grind).

I am not entirely sure MM would find this a huge intresting read without knowing many of the horses that PN refers to.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am not entirely sure MM would find this a huge intresting read without knowing many of the horses that PN refers to.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a very relevant point Joss. I love reading and have been through most of the SJ and Eventing autobiographies but I do have a keen interest in both spheres and, of course, know of many of the horses, shows and people to which they refer. Racing is somewhat of a mystery to me (I'm ashamed to say
blush.gif
).
 
My point is that what is in the press is not so permanent as in a book and is someone else reporting so it is not so personal. Sometimes you command more respect by not saying anything.
I know that people ring round and ask what might run but quite often the decision is delayed until just before declaration time or plans change. MP's yard is a punting yard and they play things much closer to their chest than yards that aren't betting orientated. There is no obligation to tell people what you are going to run and why should you help out someone who so obviously bears a grudge against you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top