Buy used
£0.70
£7.62 delivery 4 - 11 October. Order within 1 hr 50 mins. Details
Used: Like New | Details
Sold by World of Books Ltd
Condition: Used: Like New
Comment: The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Other sellers on Amazon
Used (11) from   £0.70
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Christopher McGrath
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Mr Darley's Arabian: High Life, Low Life, Sporting Life: A History of Racing in 25 Horses: Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Hardcover – 16 Jun. 2016

by Christopher McGrath (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 145 ratings
See all formats and editions

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award

In 1704 a bankrupt English merchant sent home the colt he had bought from Bedouin tribesmen near the ruins of Palmyra. Thomas Darley hoped this horse might be the ticket to a new life back in Yorkshire. But he turned out to be far more than that: and although Mr Darley's Arabian never ran a race, 95% of all thoroughbreds in the world today are descended from him. In this book, for the first time, award-winning racing writer Christopher McGrath traces this extraordinary bloodline through twenty-five generations to our greatest modern racehorse, Frankel.

The story of racing is about man's relationship with horses, and Mr Darley's Arabian also celebrates the men and women who owned, trained and traded the stallions that extended the dynasty. The great Eclipse, for instance, was bred by the Duke who foiled Bonnie Prince Charlie's invasion (with militia gathered from Wakefield races) and went on to lead the Jockey Club. But he only became a success once bought and raced by a card-sharp and brothel-keeper - the racecourse has always brought high and low life together.

McGrath expertly guides us through three centuries of scandals, adventures and fortunes won and lost: our sporting life offers a fascinating view into our history. With a canvas that extends from the diamond mines of South Africa to the trenches of the Great War, and a cast ranging from Smithfield meat salesmen to the inspiration for Mr Toad, and from legendary jockeys to not one, but two disreputable Princes of Wales (and a very unamused Queen Victoria), Mr Darley's Arabian shows us the many faces of the sport of kings.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    448 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    John Murray
  4. Publication date
    16 Jun. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    13.3 x 2.8 x 19.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1848549830
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1848549838
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product description

Review

An excellent history . . . McGrath is one of the finest sportswriters of this generation . . . Brilliant (David Walsh SUNDAY TIMES)

A racing book like no other - a book of remarkable scope (Robin Oakley THE SPECTATOR)

Erudite, wry and astute . . . extraordinary horses and a rich seam of cultural history woven into a fascinating book (Melanie Reid THE TIMES, Book of the Week)

A vivid, sweeping history of impressive scope. McGrath's eye for a story and eloquent turns of phrase will delight (Nick Pulford RACING POST)

The introduction made my arms tingle as McGrath recalls Frankels's win at the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2011... Racing life, social life and equine life are all neatly pulled together and expertly rendered into a compelling story. each chapter is a satisfying vignette of a Darley descendent, the jockeys, trainers, rakes and rank who were involved. Chance and Fortune, deals and dodging -- it's like Derby Day on the page (Alexandra Henton THE FIELD)

A racy gallop . . . a teeming, colourful survey [with] a great deal to inform and entertain (Nicholas Clee OBSERVER)

A dark horse contender (EVENING STANDARD)

Did I think I'd end up missing the whole of the Euro 2016 final in order to finish Chris McGrath's Mr Darley's Arabian? By no means, but I guess it's just that kind of book... Packed with the result of thousands of hours of painstaking research (the bibliography, in itself, is worth a read), the book never gets bogged down in any one horse or race and travels along at a pace that almost forces the turn of the next page. It also includes a quite ridiculous amount of sex, disgrace and utter debauchery. And unlike so many of the great betting coups related throughout, many of which quite spectacularly fail to deliver, it's an investment well worth making (Will Hayler SPORTING LIFE)

Meticulous research and engaging writing... a book to be savoured, Mr Darley's Arabian is a triumph (Richard Fahey RACING POST)

A good story . . . from an award-winning journalist . . . [McGrath is] at his best when he is conveying his love of racing (Patrick Scrivenor LITERARY REVIEW)

Truly gripping...a finely crafted tome that insists on your uninterrupted attention from the start...A fascinating tale of horses and those who owned, trained and traded them. the story is peppered with enough scandal and adventure to fill the trashiest novel. Fortunately, Mr Darley's Arabian is very well written, its narrative racing along effortlessly - as you might expect of a thoroughbred author (Pete Sharkey BIRMINGHAM POST, Sports Book of the Month)

A high-quality history of our sport, drawing on a cast that takes in aristocrats and nouveaux riches, playboy industrialists, Smithfield meat salemen and the rulers of Dubai (GUARDIAN)

A colourful and engaging tale of scandals, adventures and fortunes lost and won (HORSE MAGAZINE)

A real thoroughbred.. a three century gallop through 25 generations of champions (IRISH MAIL)

Entertaining and informative... a remarkable journey through three centuries, many countries and most of all 25 horses to trace the history of horse racing... [written with] a wonderful light touch. (Bill Spence RYEDALE GAZETTE & HERALD)

The thoroughbred among new writers (OXFORD TIMES)

A sprawling, colourful read, McGrath is an excellent writer and this is an ambitious and well-researched project... [Its readers] are on to a winner (SPORT)

A brilliant read... excellent...if you have any interest in horse racing at all, this book is a must read (BOOKBAG)

Brilliant...Mr Darley's Arabian has rightly received rave reviews (Lee Mottershead RACING POST)

Extraordinary (WILTSHIRE VIEW)

To the sound of pounding hooves, royalty and aristocrats, obsessive jockeys and trainers jostle with rogues and rascals. The author's understanding of breeding, racing and human foibles is thorough, his prose elegant. (SUNDAY TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YEAR)

An enthralling cultural history of humans as much as horses (THE TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YEAR)

A sporty stunner... great (COACH)

A picaresque chronicle of horse racing . . . ingenious storytelling... a pleasure (GUARDIAN, BOOKS OF THE YEAR)

McGrath is an excellent writer and this is an ambitious and well-researched project (Sport)

The most comprehensive and entertaining history of racing (DAILY TELEGRAPH)

Brilliantly realised . . . The depth of the research McGrath has undertaken is evident on every page but the difficult balance between being definitive and keeping the reader entertained is cleverly maintained . . . There could be no better way for a newcomer to racing to absorb its rich history or a devotee to discover fresh depths (Observor, 'The Sports Books that Made Our Writers' Year')

McGrath's book is erudite, his style wry and his descriptions astute (The Times)

Excellent history of thorough-bred racing . . . immense attention to detail (Sunday Times)

Book Description

The story of racing told through the bloodline of twenty-five exceptional horses.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ John Murray; First Edition (16 Jun. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1848549830
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848549838
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.3 x 2.8 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Christopher McGrath

Christopher McGrath

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
145 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book great, interesting, and important. They say it's full of information, well-researched, and gives them new facts. Readers describe the writing quality as superb and attractive. They appreciate the detail and history.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityInformation qualityWriting qualityExpositionPhotography
15 customers mention ‘Readability’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great, interesting, and important. They say it's one of the best sporting books they have read. Readers mention the book starts well but gets bogged down in superfluous details.

"...enjoyed reading this book and would go as far as to say it is an important book, a forever book, on this particular subject." Read more

"...Spendid photographs of horses and people. One of the best ever read. A must have and must re-read." Read more

"...Certainly worth a read, but nothing new about the Darley Arabian." Read more

"Mr Darley's Arabian is one of the best sporting books I have read and it is certainly the funniest...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Information quality’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book full of information, interesting, and factual. They say it gives them new facts and a whole new perspective. Readers also mention the book is well-researched and well-written.

"...but Mr Darley's Arabian is a veritable cornucopia, a delicious feast of information and pictures of other times...." Read more

"...A social and equine history, superbly written and widely informed. Spendid photographs of horses and people. One of the best ever read...." Read more

"Bought as a present but looks well laid out and full of information I think it will be a hit with anyone interested in the evolution of champion..." Read more

"A very interesting yet factual book...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Writing quality’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality superb and well-laid-out. They also appreciate the nice photographs and attractive cover.

"...A social and equine history, superbly written and widely informed. Spendid photographs of horses and people. One of the best ever read...." Read more

"I have two views on this book: firstly, to be positive, it is very well written and very readable...." Read more

"Bought as a present but looks well laid out and full of information I think it will be a hit with anyone interested in the evolution of champion..." Read more

"A very well researched book, well written with some good photographs." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Exposition’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the exposition interesting, detailed, and up-to-date. They appreciate the story of one of the founding stallions of modern horse racing.

"An interesting story of one of the founding stallions of the modern thoroughbred...." Read more

"...All members appreciated the detail,, history and up to date last chapter. Only comment was perhaps too much infomation in one book !..." Read more

"...The 'Day at the races' chapters were particularly interesting snapshots of actual events which catalogue the on going rivalries between horses,..." Read more

"It is a first class exposition of the racing world. I am giving it to everyone." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Photography’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the photographs in the book nice and interesting. They also appreciate the good quality of the paper.

"...Spendid photographs of horses and people. One of the best ever read. A must have and must re-read." Read more

"A very well researched book, well written with some good photographs." Read more

"Only arrived today. (publication date) Looks very interesting.Good quality paper, nice photographs, attractive cover." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Ishora
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading this book and would go as far as ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2016
Verified Purchase
McGrath must have done some serious research to put this book together. I can see him facing a myriad of extracts and articles wondering how to turn them into a coherent whole.

Well he did and well done. I am not familiar with McGrath's journalistic writings but I am wondering how much the old fashioned script of his research material has infected his writing style as it sounds rather victorian. But I am not complaining. I do however find it difficult to remember whose name is which person, or horse, or whether it is a horse or a person, there are such a lot, I have to keep re-reading.

I have read countless (so called) autobiographies of jockeys and trainers and gratefully sup up interesting nuggets of information - in books that are otherwise a bit samey, but Mr Darley's Arabian is a veritable cornucopia, a delicious feast of information and pictures of other times. In fact it has greatly enhanced my limited knowledge of British history. Apart from the fascinating history of the Thoroughbred this book covers the political and social mores of the time and is invaluable at putting nearly three centuries into perspective and giving them context.

I really enjoyed reading this book and would go as far as to say it is an important book, a forever book, on this particular subject.
19 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Elida Brae
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant in every respect
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2021
Verified Purchase
For anyone with a passion for horse racing, breeding, history of the thoroughbred and of the people concerned, from merchant travellers to aristocrats, royalty, trainers, jockeys, bookies and punters of every purse and degree. A social and equine history, superbly written and widely informed. Spendid photographs of horses and people. One of the best ever read. A must have and must re-read.
Helpful
 Report
Lloydie
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for horse racing lovers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 August 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this for my Dad years ago for his birthday. He loved it!
Helpful
 Report
NatWest
3.0 out of 5 stars I have two views on this book: firstly, ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 December 2017
Verified Purchase
I have two views on this book: firstly, to be positive, it is very well written and very readable. Very little is known about the Darley Arabian - as is the case with the Byerley Turk and the Godolphin Arabian - and when I first saw the title of the book sprawled acoss the cover, I thought the author had ventured into the desert to discover it's origins. Alas, this was not the case, and there is nothing about the Darley Arabian that is not already known. It is mainly about the antecedents of Frankel, and does cover in some detail, many of the personalities involved with those horses. Certainly worth a read, but nothing new about the Darley Arabian.
Helpful
 Report
Sue Maclean
5.0 out of 5 stars For all horse lovers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 May 2019
Verified Purchase
An interesting story of one of the founding stallions of the modern thoroughbred. Told with humour and historically accurate, proving mostly that pure luck/chance and being at the right place and right time make for most jumps forward in history. Highlights how badly horses and people were treated and how far we have come and still to go. Definitely would recommend for history buffs and horse or racing lovers.
Helpful
 Report
A. Crockett
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute corker of a read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 August 2017
Verified Purchase
Mr Darley's Arabian is one of the best sporting books I have read and it is certainly the funniest. Personally I have only a passing interest in race horses, but that is all that is required to thoroughly enjoy this book. I am struggling to do this book justice, it was an absolutely wonderful read. The only surprise for me is that it was only short-listed for sports book of the year, and didn't appear to have won. Doing this review is reminding me to look up what beat it, because it must be one hell of a good read.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
gp
5.0 out of 5 stars great book as we are given an insight into horse ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2016
Verified Purchase
great book as we are given an insight into horse racing history but my big surprise was that out there is a certain big family of horses which gave humans unbelievable performance.
i loved pot8os,waxy,eclipse,stockwell stories
i loved the book
i still hate hurdles as they should not exist actually-in human race either
i hope we see less horses dying because of hurdles or stupid owners
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
D
4.0 out of 5 stars Darley's Arabian
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2016
Verified Purchase
Bought as a present but looks well laid out and full of information I think it will be a hit with anyone interested in the evolution of champion horses through the years
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Highlands Rancher
5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC BOOK--and the rest on this topic "are nowhere"--just like Eclipse
Reviewed in the United States on 22 April 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is a treasure! Just by chance, my local library here in a Denver suburb had it in their "new books" display. Otherwise, I might have missed it and been much the worse without it. It is truly a "panorama stretching over three centuries and four continents."

I am a thoroughbred fan, but this book is much, much more than just a history of some racehorses. It is a work of genius; I do not know how Mr. McGrath possibly researched it--it must have taken years. And his writing is superb--e.g., "The magnetism of racehorses has always been weighed against a moral cost, whether in public disorder or private ruin." Too true, too true.

The staging and scenes he presents are mesmerizing: one moment I am in the Levant, searching out Arabians with English businessmen, the next in the seedy coffeehouses of 18th century Covent Garden, figuring out how to be a tout.

And I thought I knew all there was to know about Eclipse. Yet Mr. McGrath surprises and delights. And he has some amazing color plates and prints that I have never seen before.

The problem with this book is that you can only read about 5 pages at a time--it is so good that you have to dole it out so you won't finish it too quickly.

I haven't been this happy and excited since Hollywood Park was running!
Report
D.F. Shuo
5.0 out of 5 stars All Too Human
Reviewed in the United States on 19 July 2018
Verified Purchase
This book might very well be entitled, “English Aristocrats and Other Moneyed Folk: Politics, Ego, and the Quest for the Perfect Racehorse.” McGrath emphasizes the darker sides of the (human) protagonists of this tale, and there is no doubting his love and understanding of racehorses and their heritage. His analysis of the great jockey, Fred Archer, is empathetic, insightful, poetic, and if I may say so, nearly divine. The book ends with a bang, with Frankel.
Report
C. Roderick
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read for horse-lovers and many others....
Reviewed in the United States on 22 January 2017
Verified Purchase
For anyone interested in horses and the history of horse racing in England, this is a wonderful book. It is full of vignettes that illustrate with humor and sympathy the evolution of horse racing, "the sport of kings and scoundrels," and those involved in the sport, the temper of the times, and so much more. I had trouble following the lineage of the horses and could have used an illustrated genealogy, but in the end that isn't what I loved most about the book. The author brings the times to life.. including the professionalization of the sport and those involved in it. The evolution of the thoroughbred is also wonderful... we take so much for granted today... but all has evolved.. and the story is fascinating....
Report
E. Cowen
3.0 out of 5 stars I love horses and horse racing and am always on the ...
Reviewed in the United States on 14 October 2017
Verified Purchase
I love horses and horse racing and am always on the search for more books on the topic. I was excited by the premise of this book, "A History of Racing in 35 Horses", but in the end I was disappointed by the read. Admittedly the book is a complex topic, but the author doesn't do much to help the reader follow the story through the chapters. The book is chock full of minor details, which sometimes illustrate the story, and other times distract from telling the tale.
I managed to finish the book but I struggled to stay engaged.
Report
Robin Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars The best concise history of the thoroughbred ever written.
Reviewed in the United States on 7 December 2021
Verified Purchase
Anyone who wants to learn about the Sport of Kings should read this masterfully laid out book.
Report