Stable Lass
Tales from a Yorkshire Racing Yard
by Gemma Hogg
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Pub Date 24 Jan 2019 | Archive Date 13 Mar 2019
Pan Macmillan | Pan
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Description
'Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.' - Racing Post
Being a stable lass is probably one of the hardest jobs in the country, and yet for Gemma Hogg it is the most rewarding. She works in the beautiful Yorkshire market town of Middleham and if her colleagues are occasionally challenging, then the horses are downright astonishing.
Now, in Stable Lass, she takes us into the closed world of a top racing yard, from the elation of having several winners in one day to the almost indescribable grief of losing a horse. Like most stable lads and lasses, Gemma arrived in her yard as a teenager fresh out of racing college and had to cope with living away from home for the first time, as well as adapting to the brutal long hours, backbreaking work and often treacherous weather. She describes falling in love with Polo Venture, the first racehorse in her care, the pure exhilaration of riding him on Middleham Gallops for the first time and what happens when a horse takes against you, from the growling gelding Valiant Warrior to the potentially lethal Broadway Boy.
She brings to life the characters around the yard, from straight-talking boss Micky Hammond to the jockeys starving themselves to make weight, the wealthy owners and the other stable lads and lasses who come from a range of different places and backgrounds.
Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg is a unique look into the world of horse racing filled with heart-warming stories and amazing thoroughbreds – some loveable, some cantankerous, all impressive.
Advance Praise
‘Vividly funny and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss. There’s never been a book like this before.’ Brough Scott
‘Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.’ Racing Post
‘A delightful romp.’ Daily Mail
‘Stable Lass is a must-read.’ Horse & Hound
‘Full of heartwarming stories and some very characterful thoroughbreds.’ Horse and Rider
‘An exhilarating ride and a fascinating “muck and all” glimpse into the closed world of horse racing.’ Lancashire Post
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781509847655 |
| PRICE | £10.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Featured Reviews
Christine H, Reviewer
Thanks to NetGalley for a read of this book - it is great !! I have read many of the British horse racing memoires and this gives the reader access a whole new aspect of the industry. Gemma writes as if she is just musing out loud with an easy style which quickly gets you into her life. I had to pace myself and not charge straight through the book. I was glad to see that it is not just a succession of race meeting and prestigiously titled race names but a well thought out behind the scenes book. I am sure that the book contains favourite photographs but sadly they were not evident on the Kindle issue I read. I am almost tempted to go and buy a real copy to read again in the near future. Well done Gemma - I hope there will be another book in your head soon !
Jo-anne A, Educator
Sixteen year old Gemma leaves her family in Leeds to join the racing stable of Micky Hammond in isolated but beautiful Middleham. She's mad on horses and very enthusiastic but life as a stable lass is hard, long hours and poor pay, highs and lows.
This is book driven by passion. It is clear that Gemma was no academic at school but she had a dream to work with horses and made it happen, this book is a testament to her love for the racing game and the characters that inhabit it. The style of writing is breathy, fast-paced and naive but all the more honest for that and it works well in the context of this memoir. Being a racing fan I recognised most of the names mentioned and many of the horses which was even better.
Martha B, Reviewer
Written from the heart, and plenty touches of humour, this book gives a really good insight into life in a racing yard. A very enjoyable but short read. One for anyone interested in horses and racing. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.
Kiren P, Media/Journalist
Thank you so much for my copy of Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg.
What a completely refreshing read. This book showed the highs and lows of being in an industry that is still male dominated. Gemma' s personal story included where her love of horses came from, how she left home at 16 to embark on a career in the racing industry, 'learning on the job', and whilst in the passages it shows a woman who is very humble I also felt that Gemma must have a rod of steel running down her back and its her true grit to succeed that makes this a brilliant read. The book also sang out to me because it was quite factual too giving names of successful race horses past and present. My most favourite thing to read in the whole book was about the horses individual personalities , there were some real laugh out loud moments.
I recommend this whole heartedly.
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