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Coolmore Stud: Ireland's Greatest Sporting Success Story Hardcover – 26 Sept. 2016

by Alan Conway (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 195 ratings
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The inside story of the greatest breeding operation in Ireland is told for the first time. Nestled in a quiet part of County Tipperary, Coolmore Stud casts as long a shadow as any sporting entity over the history of Irish sport. Founded by the legendary horse trainer Vincent O'Brien, and now managed by John Magnier, Coolmore Stud has grown from a small breeding farm into a global behemoth, renowned the world over for the quality of the horses it produces. Alan Conway tells the story of how Coolmore Stud and its training operation at Ballydoyle have come to dominate the world of horse breeding and racing. Using the stories of the people involved, including the legendary Syndicate of Magnier, O'Brien and Robert Sangster, and of the famous horses it has produced, such as the legendary 'Sadler's Wells', his sons 'Galileo' and 'Montjeu', and the mighty 'Danehill', this book charts the rise of one of Ireland's greatest sporting success stories.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Mercier Press Ltd
  4. Publication date
    26 Sept. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    17.9 x 2.5 x 24.6 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1781174555
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1781174555
  8. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Alan Conway was horse-racing correspondent for sportsnewsireland.com from 2009-2012. His work has appeared in the 'Sunday Business Post', 'Club Rugby Magazine' and 'Club GAA Magazine'. He is also the co-author of 'Running Through Walls: The Dave Langan Story'.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Mercier Press Ltd; 1st edition (26 Sept. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1781174555
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1781174555
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.9 x 2.5 x 24.6 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 195 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
195 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the reading experience great, with excellent photographs. They also find the content wonderful, informative, and wonderfully illustrated. Readers recommend the book as a gift for avid racer goers.

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ContentReading experiencePhotography
13 customers mention ‘Content’13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderfully informative, with great insights into the racing world. They also say it's a fascinating read with historical insights into The Ballydoyle/Coolmore.

"...this book but so far I have found it beautifully written and very informative. The photographs are excellent...." Read more

"Fantastic book - thoroughly enjoyed reading it. gives a great insight into one of the World's top class enterprises." Read more

"Interesting insight of those who are associated with Coolmore - both human & equine." Read more

"Fascinating read with great insights into the racing world. Not 5* as layout causes a bit much repetition" Read more

8 customers mention ‘Reading experience’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great and beautifully written. They say it fully meets their expectations.

"...not yet finished reading this book but so far I have found it beautifully written and very informative. The photographs are excellent...." Read more

"...Made for a very good read, I’m told." Read more

"A good read especially if you don't know the history of Coolmore. A little bit more detail would have helped at times...." Read more

"...this book from start to finish and the passion shines through, great read and would love to visit coolnore to see this operation in action" Read more

5 customers mention ‘Photography’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the excellent photographs in the book.

"...The photographs are excellent. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the world of Thoroughbreds." Read more

"...That said, the pictures and photography are excellent throughout the book...." Read more

"...On the plus side it is full of colour photographs of all the Coolmore legends." Read more

"Well written and beautifully illustrated book. Absolutely delighted with it" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

BB Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars ... this book but so far I have found it beautifully written and very informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 November 2016
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I have not yet finished reading this book but so far I have found it beautifully written and very informative. The photographs are excellent. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the world of Thoroughbreds.
2 people found this helpful
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Neil Bilbe
4.0 out of 5 stars A good starting point and overview. But not perfect.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2017
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For anyone wanting to get a good insight and historical review of the Coolmore operation, this is a good place to start; after all I don't know of another publication on the subject. Some of the original players (human and equine) have had books written about them; e.g. Vincent O'Brien, Nijinsky, Northern Dancer, and Robert Sangster. Indeed, it is the book on Robert Sangster - Horsetrader: Robert Sangster and the Rise and Fall of the Sport of Kings, that I keep referring back to and thinking is a far better overview of the thoroughbred and bloodstock industry, albeit back in the 1990s, than Mr Conway's, which I found more of a series of articles: Jockeys, People, Trainers, Stallions,... some of which had individual chapters, and others grouped together.

I prefer the chronological/historical narrative of Horsetrader, where the cast are discussed at the time they are on the stage. I don't want Lester appearing (again) on page 200 in the 'Jockeys' chapter. That said it is nice to look at the racing and stud records of stallions like Galileo or Danehill in a single chapter, although I find it hard to think why a book which is essentially about a stud, has no pedigree charts. Surely the first thing you want to see under a chapter heading of say Galileo, is his pedigree! That said, the pictures and photography are excellent throughout the book.

What we really need is a book on: The Stallions of Coolmore, starting with an introduction on one of the main reasons why Coolmore are so successful; Northern Dancer, then down the line through Sadler's Wells, Galileo, Montjeu, Danehill, and so on. Now that would be something, and we could even have a page with a 5 or 6 generations pedigree chart on each!
5 people found this helpful
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Chris Prime
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2017
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It has been really strange reading this book as it kind of reflects my way of how I feel about coolmore / ballydoyle . I first started to take an interest when Golden Fleece won the Epsom Derby and it obviously wavered late eighties/ early nineties. I was fortunate to have a personal tour around Dalham Hall Stud at this time and my appetite for the breeding side of the thoroughbred horse was truly ignited. I also look forward to the start of each season to see what horses are in training with the Master of Ballydoyle and trying to research the bloodlines of these possible future champions. Its been hard to put the book down at times, but we all need sleep and have to work lol. Keep up the good work
3 people found this helpful
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S J P
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book - thoroughly enjoyed reading it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 January 2018
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Fantastic book - thoroughly enjoyed reading it. gives a great insight into one of the World's top class enterprises.
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David T
3.0 out of 5 stars Its OK but nothing new to read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2017
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My wife and I were lucky enough to spend a half day at the amazing Coolmore Stud in 2006, so I was very much looking forward to reading this book.

Whilst admiring Mr Conway's enthusiasm for the subject,there is little in the way of original research here and in the end I felt rather let down.

If he had managed to sit down with Magnier/O'Brien/Smith/Tabor then the book would have been far more interesting.On the plus side it is full of colour photographs of all the Coolmore legends.
2 people found this helpful
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James Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2020
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Interesting insight of those who are associated with Coolmore - both human & equine.
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Miss D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2018
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Bought as Christmas stocking filler for huge Irish Racing fan, just happened to spot it & very pleased I did. Made for a very good read, I’m told.
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racefan
5.0 out of 5 stars How the breeding experts work
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2019
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A book for the dedicated horseracing fan. A canter through the workings of a top flight stud and the people and horses who have graced racing over modern times
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Drivinghorse
3.0 out of 5 stars Informative but longwinded at times
Reviewed in France on 18 October 2017
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A book for real racing enthusiasts, the story of coolmore, which in itself is amazing. Struggled at times with endless facts, but it was interesting, if not bit longwinded at times. Well written by a real enthusiast.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The High King of thoroughbred breeding and racing
Reviewed in the United States on 26 January 2017
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It's a fascinating look inside on of Irelands greatest success stories.If John Magnier had been around in the time of Ireland's great High Kings he would have been the greatest in Ireland's storied history.
It's a fantastic read especially if you are Irish and are involved with horses
One person found this helpful
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Peter J. Doyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful insight.
Reviewed in the United States on 12 July 2019
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What an informative book. Every aspect of racing, breeding, training etc. are dealt with meticulously
. Hoping there will be regular updates.
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Scott Heider
5.0 out of 5 stars On time, as promised
Reviewed in the United States on 24 February 2020
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Excellent
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