Book info

• Title My Animals and Other Family
• Author Clare Balding
• Year 2012
• Genre Memoir

Clare Balding grew up in a rather unusual household. Her father a champion trainer, she shared her life with more than 100 thoroughbred racehorses, mares, foals and ponies, as well as an ever-present pack of boxers and lurchers. As a toddler she would happily ride the legendary Mill Reef and take breakfast with the Queen. She and her younger brother came very low down the pecking order. Left to their own devices, they had to learn life's toughest lessons through the animals, and through their adventures in the stables and the idyllic Hampshire Downs. From the protective Candy to the pot-bellied Valkyrie and the frisky Hattie, each horse and each dog had their own character and their own special part to play. The running family joke was that 'women ain't people'. Clare had to prove them wrong, to make her voice heard - but first she had to make sure she had something to say.

Thoughts

It’s not hard to love Clare Balding, talented and knowledgeable presenter, feminist, hugely likeable sports presence and generally a bit of an inspiration. I was keen to read her book, even though it was structured around animals quite so heavily - I’m not a huge animal fan, and horses aren’t up there as my favourites.

Even with that, the book is fascinating. Some of the more detailed racing paragraphs go over my head, but it’s not hard to follow the highs and lows of a childhood on horses, and a short-lived but exciting amateur career. I hadn’t actually realised that Clare did so much horse racing herself, but I’m glad to know her knowledge is as deep rooted as it is.

It’s a surprise to find a book so down to earth, despite the fact it includes meetings with the Queen and Princess Anne, as well as boarding school, trips to the races, and a university place at Cambridge. But it’s brutally honest, intensely warm even in the harder parts, and just a joy to read.

Rating: 5 / 5