Book Review: Queen of the Turf - The Dorothy Paget Story by Quintin Gilbey

After reading about Miss Paget, I thought it wise to purchase a book written by someone who lived through the same era. 

Quintin Gilbey, a British author known for his works on horse racing and notable personalities, asked her a question at the races and thinking she hadn't heard him repeated it three times with increasing volume. She gave him a blank stare and walked past with utter disdain. 

These book reviews bring life to an old tome and help inform new readers (like myself) who have only seen snippets about one of the most famous race horse owners, gamblers and eccentrics.  

This edition is anything but new. However, it comes literally from the horse's mouth.  

My interest in The Hon. Dorothy Paget was inspired by my most recent article: Dorothy Paget: The Biggest Gambler to Walk the Turf

I did notice Declan Colley & Graham Sharpe published a book about D.P. in 2017. 

However, I thought it was only right and  proper to go with the original by Quintin Gilbey published by Arthur Barker Limited, London, a subsidiary of Weidenfeld (Publishers) Limited. 

This first edition was published in 1973. 

Priced £2.25 (in UK only). 

I purchased this copy from Claremont Books and Print for £14.98. It's in very good condition so it should hold its value.

I love the smell of these old books. 

I do enjoy these old publications much more than modern versions. To think the book is 52-years old and near immaculate. Also, we have the opportunity to consider life from those days. For example, back in the day when Paget's wonder horse, Golden Miller won 5 successive Gold Cups at the Cheltenham Festival the win prize money was £670. The race was called a £1000 plate with the rest of the prize money divided between the placed horses. 

When you consider the Grand National was worth over £7,000 it shows its popularity and why so many owners and trainers headed to Aintree. D.P. was no exception and tasted success in 1934 when Golden Miller won the Gold Cup and National. The only horse to ever achieve this feat. 

It was said Golden Miller hated Aintree and when he made his return in 1935 he unseated his rider. Many considered the jockey being unseated with some skepticism. Basil Briscoe, the trainer, and Paget had words about the jockey and a short time later removed them from his stable. 

It was said both were as stubborn as each other. 

I'm updating this post incrementally. I'm presently at chapter 7. There's no doubt D.P. did things here own way and even in the war years when racing was limited or non existent she kept her horses in trainer if not multiple entries in races. She said it was important for morale and for the bloodlines of stallions. This was met with differing opinions but she was one of few owners who almost single handed kept racing going.  

       

More to come...

 



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