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The Suffragette Derby
On Wednesday 4 June 1913, fledgling newsreel cameras captured just over two-and-a-half minutes of neverto-be-forgotten British social and sporting history. The 250,000 people thronging Epsom Downs carried with them a quartet of combustible elements: a fanatical, publicity-hungry suffragette; a scapegoat for the Titanic disaster and the pillar of the Establishment who bore him a personal grudge; a pair of feuding jockeys at odds over money and glory; and, finally, at the heart of the action, two thoroughbred horses ? one a vicious savage and one the consummate equine athlete. Taken together, this was a recipe for the most notorious horse race in British history. One hundred years on, this particular Derby Day is remembered for two reasons: the fatal intervention of Emily Davison, a militant suffragette who brought down the KingOCOs runner, and the controversial disqualification of Bower IsmayOCOs horse Craganour on the grounds of rough riding ? the first and only time a Derby-winner has forfeited its title for this reason. The sensation of DavisonOCOs questionable interference in the name of suffrage has overshadowed the outrage of CraganourOCOs disqualification and the intricate reasons behind it. Now, with a view to allowing this scandal the attention it deserves, Michael Tanner replays the most dramatic day in Turf history ? and finally uncovers the truth of the Suffragette Derby."
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 21, 2017
A wonderful account of epic events in history, not only of appeal to racing fans but will also grip those interested in social and political history. The people involved would delight fiction fans and they are brought back to life superbly by Tanner's craftsmanship, vividly transporting readers back to 1913 for a fascinating and intriguing account.
February 17, 2021
There was a lot I liked about this book but struggled with the author’s treatment of women and their agency.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews