Product Description

Horseracing, it is often said, is inaccessible to outsiders because it has become much more than which horse is the fastest from A to B. Over the centuries it has developed into a huge industry with language of its own and a complicated set of rules, both social and regulatory, which can often seem incomprehensible to anyone who is not an insider or a regular. To enjoy this collection of hilarious anecdotes, which Marcus Armytage has been producing on a weekly basis in his racing diary for the Daily Telegraph since 1993, it is unnecessary to have even an elementary understanding of the sport. Racing is merely an incidental backdrop, like wallpaper in the downstairs loo - which is precisely where this book should have a permanent place in your home. In Turn Me On Guv these stories frequently involve the gallows humour and hideous misfortune that daily visits those who work in the racing. It will take you closer to the sport s main players and their enduring sense of humour and fun than any biography. Complementing Armytage s anecdotes are the drawings of Mark Huskinson, whose ink and wash cartoons have been entertaining collectors since the late 1970s.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3088 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
a 'must have' book --Claude Duval, The Sun

hilarious compilation of the misfortunes of legions of racing personalities... an excellent book --Country Life

About the Author
When Mr Frisk steered MARCUS ARMYTAGE to victory in the 1990 Grand National in a time that smashed Red Rum s course record by 14 seconds, the human element in this combination was a 25-year-old amateur rider, pursuing his dream as a part-timer and risking his neck not for remuneration but for the fun of it. No wonder he has a sense of humour. A man s gotta live though and to fund this hobby he started writing about his sport, firstly with the Newbury Weekly News despite spelling weekley wrong on his application for the job and then for the Horse & Hound (to which he has returned as racing correspondent), the Racing Post and, since 1993, with the Daily Telegraph. The relatively recent invention of the spellchecker application has obviously been a godsend to the man. He is also the author of Generous, two collaborations with fellow Grand National winning jockey Richard Dunwoody, Hell For Leather and Hands And Heels and, in 2005, the predecessor to this collection of amusing anecdotes from the world of horseracing, Hot Cherry. MARK HUSKINSON, born in 1935, is from a long line of artists, soldiers and adventurers. His first recorded days hunting was aged two with the Belvoir. At Ampleforth College, the art room, cricket pitch and beagles all took preference over academic studies. Always willing to learn but somewhat reluctant to be taught his period at Edinburgh College of Art was notable for its brevity. Exported to New Zealand for five years he came home to take up farming and engineering before returning to his easel in the late Seventies. The largest private collection of his work is held by the Duke of Bedford and a few of his pictures have found their way into royal collections. He lives and works in Lincolnshire while his winter studio is by the 10th tee of the Vines Golf Club, Western Australia. His biggest claim to fame is appearing in the Who s who of first class cricket on the same page as Sir Len Hutton.

Customer Reviews

"Turn Me On Guv'' by Marcus Armytage
Oh God.What a great book.
I've only had time to read a few of the stories but the ones that I have read are very funny,especially as they are meant to be true.Definitely going to buy several as Christmas presents.Imagine, after the Christmas Dinner, settling down in front of a log fire with a glass of something strong to sip and a something to chew and being transported to the Lambourn Downs from the smell of the horses and the clink of their bridles, the swearing of the stable lads around the Gallops in the dawn mists to hurly burly and excitement of the racecourse.The shouts of jockeys at the start and the thunder of the hooves and the roar of the crowd along the finishing straight.
What a great book.Should keep the in-laws happy when the excitement of Christmas is over.