Product Description

For many years, Richard Dunwoody was at the forefront of National Hunt racing, winning the Big Three races - the Grand National, the Champion Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. But he became best known for his partnership with Desert Orchid on whom he won seven races. He talks about his partnerships with trainers like Martin Pipe and David Nicholson, as well as his rivalries with other leading jockeys. In this breathtakingly honest memoir, Dunwoody reveals how his obsession to win meant he would punish himself for his mistakes and even forced his wife to take an overdose. He admits he was a danger to himself and to those around him. Now, having retired, he is looking to start again.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #250530 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Andrew Longmore, Independent on Sunday
'A compelling account ... Obsessed is a brave monument to a man who never lacked courage'

Review
'A brutally frank confessional, this is a compulsive read' (Racing Post )

'I have never read a more brutally honest volume by a sportsman ... A remarkable glimpse into the mind of a true champion' (Robin Oakley, Spectator )

'A compulsive study of the danger of addiction' (Paul Kimmage, Sunday Independent )

'An astonishingly frank account of the pressures - real or imagined - on a top sportsman ... A contribution to racing's literature worthy of the man' (Alastair Down, Racing Post )

'Searingly honest ... This compelling book leaves an indelible impression' (Jonathan Powell, Sunday Times )

'A compelling account ... Obsessed is a brave monument to a man who never lacked courage' (Andrew Longmore, Independent on Sunday )

'The havoc he wreaks on himself and those around him ... makes for extraordinary reading' (Simon Barnes, The Times )

'His cathartic autobiography...is a haunting story, skilfully told' (Alan Lee, The Times )

'A must for race fans but its appeal stretches well beyond the parameters of the course' (Irish Times )

Simon Barnes, The Times
'The havoc he wreaks on himself and those around him ... makes for extraordinary reading'

Customer Reviews

A good read - great insight into mind of a champion jockey
Obsessed is a very appropriate title as Richard gives a very honest and slightly shocking account of his single mindedness to become champion jockey. Great anecdotes along the way regarding Duke Nicholson, Martin Pipe and various tales from the weighing room.

A good read with a very appropriate title
I bought the book expecting to read the life story of the squeaky clean personality who now appears on our TV screens.

You quickly realise where the title came from as the book paints a brutally honest picture of a man who pushed and punished himself to achieve his ambition of becoming champion jockey without caring who he hurt on the way.

The section on the battle with Adrian Maguire to become chanmpion jockey makes you really just how obsessed he had become.

It must have been difficult for Richard to discuss the way he treated his former wife and his friends but it all makes for an interesting insight into his way of life which was probably not known to those outside the racing world.

Brutal
This is an honest and slightly disturbing account of a horribly driven personality. For those who long admired the seemingly elegant and effortless skills of this fine jockey, the extraordinary self doubt and almost dismal single mindedness comes as a bit of a shock. And that is before we get to his appalling behaviour during his marriage, with one scene being particularly shocking. Its not all grim though. The great horses he has ridden are brought back to life and there are more than a few decent anecdotes and fine portraits of various racing personailites. A barve book and a excellent read.