The Next Arkle explores Ireland's passionate love affair with Cheltenham through the astonishing story of Carvill's Hill, a brilliant but flawed racehorse, and his notorious owner, Liam 'Billy' Marks. Marks, a professional gambler and major figure in Ireland's corrupt 1980s beef trade. Marks, who likened himself to the slick lawyer, 'Razzle Dazzle' Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago, had a turbulent career punctuated by a kidnapping, threats of violence, innumerable court cases and accusations ranging from fraud and corruption to IRA-linked money laundering.
Through all this chaos, he clung to one conviction: that one day the giant Carvill's Hill would win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. A generation of Irish race-goers, longing for a new champion in an era of English dominance, shared that dream. What followed was dramatic, spectacular but ultimately heartbreaking.
This gripping true-life story feels like a Hollywood film!
| ISBN: | 9781836802396 |
| Publication date: | 1st March 2027 |
| Author: | Jamie Reid |
| Publisher: | Pitch Publishing an imprint of Pitch Publishing Ltd |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 288 pages |
| Genres: |
Horse racing |
The Next Arkle explores Ireland's passionate love affair with Cheltenham through the astonishing story of Carvill's Hill, a brilliant but flawed racehorse, and his notorious owner, Liam 'Billy' Marks. Marks, a professional gambler and major figure in Ireland's corrupt 1980s beef trade.
The Next Arkle features in the following genres: Horse racing
Hardback. £22.50, down from the £25.00 cover price. Pre-order. 1st March 2027.
The Next Arkle was written by Jamie Reid and published by Pitch Publishing an imprint of Pitch Publishing Ltd
The Next Arkle has 288 pages
£22.50, reduced from £25.00. Pre-order. 1st March 2027.