Die Broke

This is a personal and autobiographical book about a lifelong love affair with horse racing, betting in general and Cheltenham's National Hunt Festival in particular. Jamie Reid's earliest experiences came at point-to-point meetings at Kent and Sussex and then at the local "gaff" tracks like Folkestone and Lewes. They were replete with many atmospheric and illicit delights, all of them lovingly described in the book. But there were precious few equine stars on show. Reid's first great racing heroes were Arkle and Mill House whose historic battles at Cheltenham were portrayed by the incomparable television commentaries of Peter O'Sullevan. This is a rich history of growing up in a particular time and place.