Never Say Die: A Kentucky Colt, the Epsom Derby, and the Rise of the Modern Thoroughbred Industry

by James C. Nicholson, Pete Best (Foreword by)

Overview

A quarter of a million people braved miserable conditions at Epsom Downs on June 2, 1954, to see the 175th running of the prestigious Derby Stakes. Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Winston Churchill were in attendance, along with thousands of Britons who were all convinced of the unfailing superiority of English bloodstock and eager to see a British colt take the victory. They were shocked when a Kentucky-born chestnut named Never Say Die galloped to a two-length triumph at odds of 33–1, winning Britain's greatest race and beginning an important shift in the world of Thoroughbred racing.

Never Say Die traces the history of this extraordinary colt, beginning with his foaling in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as the stories of the influential individuals brought together by the horse and his victory—from the heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune to the Aga Khan. Most fascinating is the tale of Mona Best of Liverpool, England, whose well-placed bet on the long-shot Derby contender allowed her to open the Casbah Coffee Club. There, her son met musicians John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, later joining their band.

Featuring a foreword by the original drummer for the Beatles, Pete Best, this remarkable book reveals how an underdog's surprise victory played a part in the formation of the most successful and influential rock band in history and made the Bluegrass region of Kentucky the center of the international Thoroughbred industry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813141671
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	05/04/2013
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James C. Nicholson is the author of numerous books including The Kentucky Derby: How the Run for the Roses Became America's Premier Sporting Event, The Notorious John Morrissey: How a Bare-Knuckle Brawler Became a Congressman and Founded Saratoga Race Course, and Racing for America: The Horse Race of the Century and the Redemption of a Sport. He lives in Versailles, Kentucky.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations viii

Foreword Pete Best xi

Preface xiii

1 A Historic Derby Triumph and a Wager That Changed History 1

2 The Unusual Origins of a Sewing Machine Fortune 13

3 Robert Sterling Clark 33

4 The Aga Khan 49

5 Robber Barons Robbing Barons 61

6 An Unlikely Horseman 87

7 A Derby-less Trainer 111

8 The First Kentucky-Bred Champion of the Epsom Derby 119

9 An American Invasion at Epsom 135

10 A Global Sport and Industry 153

Acknowledgments 177

Notes 179

Bibliography 199

Index 211

Editorial Reviews

Explores the transformation of the thoroughbred industry with the upset victory of Never Say Die, a Kentucky-born colt, in England's Derby Stakes on June 2, 1954.

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Never Say Die... chronicles the history of an extraordinary colt, the Epsom Derby and the rise of the modern Thoroughbred industry... Nicholson also tells the stories of the influential individuals brought together by the horse and his victory, from the heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune to the Aga Khan.

Kentucky Alumni

Nicholson has done a very fine job of placing the unique role of Never Say Die in perspective within the specific confines of Thoroughbred racing history, while at the same time explaining how this horse was touched by a vivid array of characters in other social and historical contexts. Who would have imagined that a racehorse would link such diverse institutions as the Singer sewing machine company, the Epsom Derby, and the Beatles?

author of nineteen books on Thoroughbred racing Edward L. Bowen

Nicholson explores this material thoroughly and concisely, never straying far from his central narrative, but never limiting his focus.

Thoroughbred Daily News - Michael Illiano

Mr. Nicholson's tale of close connections and global links is a yarn worth following, and will take the reader back to 1964, and to 1954, and beyond.

The Wall Street Journal - Maryjean Wall

"Nicholson has done a very fine job of placing the unique role of Never Say Die in perspective within the specific confines of Thoroughbred racing history, while at the same time explaining how this horse was touched by a vivid array of characters in other social and historical contexts. Who would have imagined that a racehorse would link such diverse institutions as the Singer sewing machine company, the Epsom Derby, and the Beatles?" — Edward L. Bowen, author of nineteen books on Thoroughbred racing

"As a reader, I was left with a clear understanding of how the breeding industry has gone global, and importantly, how it will always follow the money. Racing enthusiasts will enjoy how the author sews together this unusual patchwork of characters into a narrative." — John Eisenberg, author of The Great Match Race: When North Met South in America's First Sports Spectacle

"[E]nlightening and entertaining [...] Nicholson's tale of close connections and global links is a yarn worth following." — Wall Street Journal

"Nicholson tells Never Say Die's story by placing him at the center of a sprawling web of connections. By tracing that web, Nicholson is able to explain not only how the heart of the Thoroughbred racing industry moved from England to Kentucky, but also charts the evolution of the post-war world; American industrialists, Saudi sheikhs and The Beatles all factor into [the] narrative. [... ] [I]ntriguing." — Thoroughbred Daily News

"Nicholson explores this material thoroughly and concisely, never straying far from his central narrative, but never limiting his focus. — Michael Illiano" — Michael Illiano, Thoroughbred Daily News

"Mr. Nickolson's tale of close connections and global links is a yarn worth following, and will take the reader to 1964, and to 1954, and beyond. — Mary Jean Wall" — Mary Jean Wall, Wall Street Journal

"Mr. Nicholson's tale of close connections and global links is a yarn worth following, and will take the reader back to 1964, and to 1954, and beyond. — The Wall Street Journal" — Maryjean Wall, The Wall Street Journal

"Explores the transformation of the thoroughbred industry with the upset victory of Never Say Die, a Kentucky-born colt, in England's Derby Stakes on June 2, 1954. — The Chronicle of Higher Education" — The Chronicle of Higher Education

"Begin with the main ingredient of a Kentucky-born colt, Never Say Die... Sprinkle in the Beatles, several Aga Khans, the best jockey in contemporary British turf history, a Bluegrass horse breeder from a prominent Pittsburgh industrial family whose fortunes went south, two founders of the Singer Sewing Machine Company... This eclectic mix is a recipe for a fascinating historical journey. — Horse Racing Business" — Bill Shanklin, Horse Racing Business

" Never Say Die... chronicles the history of an extraordinary colt, the Epsom Derby and the rise of the modern Thoroughbred industry... Nicholson also tells the stories of the influential individuals brought together by the horse and his victory, from the heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune to the Aga Khan. — Kentucky Alumni" — Kentucky Alumni

"This book should definitely be of interest to racehorse enthusiasts and documents the capricious nature of history... the seemingly overwhelming love of Kentuckians for horses, and some popular history of this Commonwealth. — Park City Daily News" — Carlton Jackson, Park City Daily News

"In Never Say Die: A Kentucky Colt, the Epsom Derby, and the Rise of the Modern Thoroughbred Industry, author and attorney Nicholson relates more than a simple memoir of a racehorse that made history... Relying on meticulous research, the author takes on the difficult task of showing how seemingly unrelated entities such as The Beatles, the Singer Sewing Machine Company, the Sultan Mohammed Shah and Queen Victoria created a sure but circuitous path that led to central Kentucky's near universal designation as "Horse Capital of the World." —Kentucky Monthly" — Steve Flairty, Kentucky Monthly

"Nicholson once again delivers a solid work that, like The Kentucky Derby, is both entertaining and a significant contribution to the equine literature." — Ohio Valley History

From the Publisher

Begin with the main ingredient of a Kentucky-born colt, Never Say Die...Sprinkle in the Beatles, several Aga Khans, the best jockey in contemporary British turf history, a Bluegrass horse breeder from a prominent Pittsburgh industrial family whose fortunes went south, two founders of the Singer Sewing Machine Company... This eclectic mix is a recipe for a fascinating historical journey.

Horse Racing Business - Bill Shanklin

In Never Say Die: A Kentucky Colt, the Epsom Derby, and the Rise of the Modern Thoroughbred Industry, author and attorney Nicholson relates more than a simple memoir of a racehorse that made history.... Relying on meticulous research, the author takes on the difficult task of showing how seemingly unrelated entities such as The Beatles, the Singer Sewing Machine Company, the Sultan Mohammed Shah and Queen Victoria created a sure but circuitous path that led to central Kentucky's near universal designation as 'Horse Capital of the World.'

Kentucky Monthly - Steve Flairty

As a reader, I was left with a clear understanding of how the breeding industry has gone global, and importantly, how it will always follow the money. Racing enthusiasts will enjoy how the author sews together this unusual patchwork of characters into a narrative.

author of The Great Match Race: When North Met John Eisenberg

Enlightening and entertaining... Nicholson's tale of close connections and global links is a yarn worth following.

Wall Street Journal

Nicholson tells Never Say Die's story by placing him at the center of a sprawling web of connections. By tracing that web, Nicholson is able to explain not only how the heart of the Thoroughbred racing industry moved from England to Kentucky, but also charts the evolution of the post-war world; American industrialists, Saudi sheikhs and The Beatles all factor into [the] narrative....Intriguing.

Thoroughbred Daily News

Nicholson once again delivers a solid work that, like The Kentucky Derby, is both entertaining and a significant contribution to the equine literature.

Ohio Valley History

This book should definitely be of interest to racehorse enthusiasts and documents the capricious nature of history... the seemingly overwhelming love of Kentuckians for horses, and some popular history of this Commonwealth.

Park City Daily News - Carlton Jackson