OUR HONEST CHARLIE WOOD

by Josephine Carr

The True Story of Charles Wood: From Runaway to Champion Jockey

I enjoyed every page. It’s such a good book.” — SIR MARK PRESCOTT, NEWMARKET

"The most enjoyable horse racing themed books I have read this year" — GRAHAM SHARPE, FOUNDER, WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK THE YEAR

“If, like me, you enjoy a beautifully written tale about a person in history you knew nothing about, then this is for you. Especially if you enjoy horses and horse racing. A real page turner." — JEREMY IRONS, ACTOR

The true story of Charles Wood. Born in the slums of Hull he rose to become Champion Jockey. A triumph that nearly destroyed him.

During the reign of Queen Victoria the aristocrats owned everyone and everything to do with racing. Until one of their servants, Charles Wood, dared to break free and become a wealthy master in his own right, leading a revolution in the way horses were trained and ridden.

In a brutal attempt to wrest back control, the Jockey Club singled him out and dragged him into a scandal. They set out to strike his name and his victories from the records.

His reputation was all but destroyed. But had they picked on the wrong man?

Determined to defy his enemies, after nine years in exile, Charles Wood started his comeback. Not in a small way but in the biggest race in England. Everything hung on that one race. Winning meant redemption. Losing would finish him as a jockey forever.

“There is, to my mind, nothing more satisfying than a good old rip-roaring tale about a hero who triumphs over all adversity… [Charles Wood’s] story is told beautifully by the author, who has that priceless gift of being able to effortlessly paint pictures with words, making this delightful book a gripping read for both the racing enthusiast and anyone who loves a good old fashioned story... Brilliant."— STEVE BRADLEY, HORSE RACING IN THE MEDIA

“Charles Wood’s] life has now been charted in a book by Sussex author Josephine Carr and what a riveting read it makes.” — SUSSEX EXPRESS

JOHN BERRY, Newmarket

“What do we know of Charles Wood? Won all the Classics? Champion Jockey 1887? Rider of St Simon? That’s only fraction of story. His biography, superbly researched & written by [Josephine Carr] tells the fascinating tale brilliantly. Xmas coming - a great book to read, give or receive.”