Book Review

Jenny Pitman - The Autobiography

Published by Partridge - usual price £17.99

Available from Tindalls for £14.99

I admit that I have long been a fan of Jenny Pitman; the way that she turns her horses out and how her horses are prepared for their races, both mentally and physically, has always struck me as being exemplary. Not only that but I admire her for the fact that she is someone who acts according to her beliefs - whether they are shared by the world at large or not... I looked forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed.

Jenny Pitman s path to the top of her tree hasn t been an easy one in any sense and life has presented her with many setbacks and the sort of obstacles which would have deterred anyone with a tendency to be faint-hearted and yet it has also brought her triumph and many blessings - not least, the people in her life who have loved and supported her throughout, especially her family. Above all Jenny pays a great tribute to her parents, and unhesitatingly acknowledges her father as being the source of her deep understanding of horses.

That she has this is beyond question and added to her being a very intuitive and sympathetic person, the result is an outstanding horsewoman - not just a good racehorse trainer.

All of her horses are obviously regarded as individuals and their nuances of character are taken into consideration to help them achieve their greatest potential. That Jenny has succeeded with so many horses of differing types and natural abilities is testament to her own great skill and it is fascinating to read how horses such as Corbiere, Burrough Hill Lad, Garrison Savannah and Royal Athlete all reached the pinnacle of their racecourse careers despite various setbacks on route.

That Jenny Pitman is extremely patient and persevering with the horses she trains is indisputable and this book gives the reader the inside story on her horses and their problems - not to mention her conflicts with the Press and others in the world of racing. Jenny s life has always contained a degree of controversy and she takes this opportunity to explain many situations which may well have been misrepresented in the past.

Hers has certainly not been a dull life and unlike so many biographies which tend to be boring and self indulgent, this book is really entertaining and a pleasure to read.

Strongly recommended