Citizen Charlie Brooks 9780007286409

From former top trainer Charlie Brooks comes a thriller of horseracing, dirty dealing, big business and a test of loyalty under extreme pressure...

General Shalakov, brutal Russian oligarch, has business interests across many continents. Yet he craves prestige in the West. His ambition is to corner the thoroughbred stallion market in Europe. Massively rich, he is prepared to bribe, torture and murder to achieve his goal.

Tipper O'Reilly, apprentice jockey, learns the hard way that survival is as much about what happens off the track as in the saddle. And he's about to be drawn into a whole different world.

Coerced into working at Shalakov's state-of-the-art training complex miles from Moscow, Tipper has no concept of what's really going on behind the efficient facade. There'll be only one survivor of the final race.

Charlie Brooks left Eton to become a stable lad for racing legend Fred Winter. After riding in the Grand National, and winning the Cheltenham Festival as an amateur jockey, he became the youngest racehorse trainer in England. He has broadcast for Radio Five and Bloomberg TV and hosted his own sports programme, 'The Charlie Brooks Show'. He is a columnist for the Daily Telegraph and lives on his farm in the Cotswolds. His autobiography, Crossing the Line, was widely acclaimed.

'Move over Dick Francis, here comes Charlie Brooks.' Daily Mirror

'Engrossing and ingenious... Brooks keeps his readers guessing right up to the finishing post.' Mail on Sunday

'The great Dick Francis did it, then John Francome followed - now Charlie Brooks has taken up the genre with a book full of fascinating insider detail and dodgy characters... The set piece races are terrific.' Daily Mail

'Black Beauty meets the black market... Brooks' equine expertise ensures this tale of flat racing's sleazy extremities goes the distance.' GQ

'Superbly paced and even has 007 twists. It will keep you guessing right until the final page.' News of the World

'Sex, intrigue and horses are the perfect ingredients for a smashing read that will be devoured and enjoyed by all.' Sun