Reccommend a racing book

wb

Racing Books.

Anyone read any?

I just got Tony McCoy's one today, and am looking forward to reading it when I get a bit of time. I also have 'Frankie' on order.

Regarding picking winners, I have read a few books about systems, how to select winners, form reading etc. Most were helpful enough, and some were rubbish:)

I have read two of the racing post books -
The difinitive guide to Betting on horses, and -
The difinitive guide to betting exchanges.

The exchanges one was by far the best book I have read on gambling to date.

Can anyone reccommend any good racing/gambling books?

georgieM

barney curleys book was a one i enjoyed

Paddy Irishman

Hi wbailey, I see you've read the "Racing Posts Definitive Guide to Betting Exchanges". I was thinking of getting this book myself. I've searched the web for readers reviews of this book but can't find any, not even on Amazon! What did you think of it yourself? Could you maybe give a brief breakdown of what's discussed in the book before I decide to part with my hard earned. Much appreciated.:)

wb

Paddy Irishman wrote:

Hi wbailey, I see you've read the "Racing Posts Definitive Guide to Betting Exchanges". I was thinking of getting this book myself. I've searched the web for readers reviews of this book but can't find any, not even on Amazon! What did you think of it yourself? Could you maybe give a brief breakdown of what's discussed in the book before I decide to part with my hard earned. Much appreciated.:)

I wrote the review below some time back, when I was only learning to use the exchanges. I have since gotten to grips with more markets, and still find the book useful. I refer to it about once a week in fact. I highly reccommend it, if you want to learn about betfair in particular

Again, the below reveiw is a bit dated, as I have since learned more about the other markets - have a look at the betfair sticky if you are interested in some of the things I have learned through trial and error. This book definitely helped a lot along the way though:

---

This was book was really useful to me (as an exchange beginner)

If you are looking for that book on gambling that tells you how to get rich, well.... im sad to say, it does not exist, and this book is no exception. I learned that a while ago after reading a lot of racing books. But I did get a lot of tips that will make my gambling more profitable.

Anyway, the book starts off with a guide to how exchanges work, the pink and blue side etc, backing & laying, the book % etc. but you would be best to be sitting at a pc for this if you were a beginner, as it would not make much sense otherwise. Then, it tells the history of exchanges (Really Interesting! ) and a bit of discussion about their merits. the book is basically about betfair though, anyone who uses Dermot Desmond's Betdaq will not find much about it here.

Some chapters were kind of 'wasted' on me though. (perhaps further down the line I will re-read them) for example, I dont spread bet.

Some of the varied sports sections were not very relevant to me either - because i only back on Horse Racing, Soccer and G.A.A.
There were chapters on golf, snooker, rugby union and league, tennis, cricket and other 'general sports' which included dogs. As I say, I hope to start to move into more markets soon, so I may read these one day. I Tried some of their advice and attempted to trade on B.A.G.S. - but it was not working I made a post here and most people agreed it is not a good idea.

A very good chapter comes next about how to avoid the pitfalls etc which was very informative. then, there is a discussion on the row between the bookies and the exchanges.

Throughout the book, there are little boxes entitled 'uncommon knowledge' and these basically some great tips to help you get the most out of exchanges. very handy.

One of the really interesting chapters IMO, was about in-running betting, and one thing they advised - turn the volume down on your tv, as you will not be affected by the commentator, and may find some value. There are some funny stories then, about mistakes/crazy gambles etc. that have been made, and the last chapter deals with bots - again, very informative.

Anyone that has been using the exchanges for a long time may not get a huge amount from it, but I would definitely reccommend it to beginners.

9 out of 10.

Wayne

Robin1982

Depends for what type of info you are looking for: (speed) handicapping, training/conditioning, betting or simply biographies.

For handicapping, read:

Handicapping Speed by Charles Carroll
Picking Winners by Andrew Beyer
Mordin On Time by Nick Mordin

For conditioning, read:

Training Thoroughbred Horses by Preston M. Burch

For betting, read:

Betting Thoroughbreds by Steve Davidowitz
* A proper advanced financial investment book will also give you an understanding of the central tenets of correct wagering.

For interest stories, read:

The Great Racehorses by Julian Wilson
Horse Racing Heros by Sir Peter O'Sullevan
Secretariat: The Making of a Champion by William Nack
Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
Arkle by Ivor Herbert

These are best I've ever read...

wb

"Winning on Betfair for Dummies" by Jack Houghton

Does anyone have it? I ordered a copy and should get it some time next week. Apparently the guy who wrote it works for betfair.

I have a fairly good knowledge of betfair as it is, but usually every book will give you something new.
Just wondering if anyone has read it.

Bluetonic

Just plucking this thread out of the doldrums to say I've just finished reading Timmy Murphys autobiography written with Don McClean - Riding The Storm.

A very good read, would thoroughly recommend it.

Colonel Sanders

Bluetonic wrote:

Just plucking this thread out of the doldrums to say I've just finished reading Timmy Murphys autobiography written with Don McClean - Riding The Storm.

A very good read, would thoroughly recommend it.

just about to start this book, hope you're right!!!

Barney Curley and graham bradley's autobiographies are pretty good too.

Robin1982

I found my old copy of Breeding The Racehorse by the legendary Frederico Tesio over Xmas; a truly excellent book - he was far before his time.

HiCloy

"A fine place to daydream" by Bill Barich is very good

Just finished reading "taken for a Ride" by Francis Hyland, which was interesting although it's mainly historical stuff and won't give you any good ideas for a betting coup

Edit: Also I forgot "from Aintree to York" by Stephen Cartmell, entertaining stuff and vital reading if you ever plan on visiting the likes of Perth or Fontwell.

wb

HiCloy wrote:

Just finished reading "taken for a Ride" by Francis Hyland, which was interesting although it's mainly historical stuff and won't give you any good ideas for a betting coup (

Read this recently too, and thought is was excellent. Highly reccommended IMO.