Doped: The Real Life Story of the 1960s Racehorse Doping Gang

by Jamie Reid

The true story of the shocking doping gang who scandalized the racing world in the early 1960s A potent mix of horseracing, drugs, sex, class, crime, gambling, and the monarchy. In March 1962, an audacious attempt to steal one of the royal horses alerted police to a well organized band of racecourse criminals, backed by murderous London gangsters. The subsequent Flying Squad pursuit of the gang brought the quaintly deferential world of racing into sharp conflict with the harsher realities of the "You've Never Had It So Good" era. The cast of characters is headed by Bill Roper, a debonair ex-RAF sergeant turned oddsmaker. His team included an ex-jockey, numerous underpaid stable boys, a drugs supplier nicknamed "The Witch Doctor," and a violent, professional hard man who went on to face charges in 1969. But the most fascinating member of Roper's firm was a beautiful and self-possessed young Swiss woman called Micheline Lugeon who became the bookmaker's lover.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally well researched and detailed account of actual events surrounding the world of horse racing in the late 1950s, early 1960s.

A true story, it shows the seedy, shady, dishonest, greedy and unscrupulous side of those who, bookmakers and other assorted spivs, gangsters and hangers on to make money at the expense of horse racing with little concern over the honest people who care for the welfare of the livestock and those who tend and ride the horses.

The writer sets out all the key players (cast of characters) at the outset, prior to even the Prologue and this is a useful, even essential tool to help the reader follow the events.

It seems occasionally to get bogged down in too much detail but without such depth it may be confusing to the reader so I guess this is a necessary evil of producing such an in depth account of the people and the story.

A fascinating read although I confess to have been, if not a regular attendee at the racetrack, at least one who is familiar with his way around a track, form and the world of racing without being any more than a novice punter having an occasional day out.

What strikes me more than anything is the complacency (to the point of gross negligence in my opinion) of the Jockey Club who seemed at no stage to take any interest in what was going on and made little or no attempts to stop it, relying instead (eventually) on the police who presumably had far less knowledge about the sport, gambling and bookmaking, at least at the outset.

I guess this is a specialist read and can't really seeing it holding the attention of anyone who has no interest in racing but that will not prevent me from giving it a four star rating and saying that I found it hard to put it down once I had started reading it.

[Richard Metcalfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story matter is interesting - 1960s Britain, the time of the Krays, criminal gangs, sex, money, gambling - but it's poorly written. It flits between journalism, a regurgitation of records (which horse ran which race), and the incomprehensible language of the racecourse, with intermittent strange footnotes. Clearly some research has gone into the subject, so it's a shame, could have been much better.

[Robin Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until Jamie Reid came along, British Horse Racing thought that they'd successfully swept this shocking affair under the mat. But now we know, thanks to this superbly written book, all about Roper the Doper and so much more. It's just amazing what greed and a sexy lady will get supposedly respectable people to do!

This is a book that should be made into a movie.

[Edward Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about the criminal activity that scandalized British horse racing in the 1960s, with very well researched information and histories about the main players, their scams and the scene in which it all unfolded. It details the bookmaker's central involvement, the antics and tactics of the dopers, the insider reaction to it all and the national scandal that blew up as a result. A fascinating insight into an exclusive environment, Doped is well worth your time and attention.

[Pirate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining written in the author's inimitable style with plenty of witty observations and a part of history of the sport that I didn't know anything about although it did occur in the decade before I took an interest in it. Characters are wonderfully depicted and what rascals they were, some more nefarious and scheming than others. The lead couple are really rather engaging and breathtakingly brash in their risk taking. The racing scene up North is superbly brought to life with the different characters from Neville Crump to Stephenson....a real treat and worth several reads or Reids!! Top notch entertainment.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[Matt Batten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A juicy true tale of criminal gangs nobbling nags; set against the backdrop of sex, drugs and corruption of the swinging sixties.