Description

Just as Ireland had ARKLE, so South Africa had their own Greatest Racehorse - in Horse Chesnut. This book - first edition, of 216 unmarked pages celebrates excellence in thoroughbred racehorses.

Horse Chestnut only raced 10 times, yet be is widely regarded as the greatest South African thoroughbred of them all. Here is the amazing story of this equine superstar, told by his trainer Mike de Kock.

Owned and bred by Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer, Horse Chestnut rewrote the record books as be blazed a trail of victories across South Africa. His only start in the United States cemented the legend of this majestic son of Fort Wood. We can only wonder what more this freak of nature might have accomplished on the track if fate had been kinder.

De Kock's account is a rollercoaster ride encompassing dizzying highs and gut-wrenching lows. Though a factual account, it has all the ingredients of a racing thriller a breeding miracle, heart-stopping gallops, attempted sabotage, run-ins with the authorities and a training disaster which broke a nation's heart. There never has been a racing story like it, nor will there be again.
This superb book is supplemented by insightful views from experts, and interviews with all the key players in this astonishing drama. There is also an outstanding chapter by breeding fundi Charles Faull on Horse Chestnut's prospects at stud in the USA.
This definitive work on a true champion, which includes a foreword by Gary Player, is an absolute must for all racing fans, as well as those who love and revere sporting excellence.