FANS of racing history have a Christmas treat in store with the publication of a new book about the sport’s biggest scandal that you’ve probably never heard of.
Our Honest Charlie Wood tells a gripping nags to riches to rags to riches tale.
Born in the slums of Hull in 1854, Charles Wood broke free of illegitimacy and poverty to become champion jockey in 1887.

But his huge popularity and wealth threatened the dominance of the British aristocracy in a sport in which they were all-powerful. He became embroiled in the social upheaval of the late Victorian era and it near...