With some degree of forethought, Mark Todd called his autobiography So Far So Good. Now, one successful comeback later, he is to publish a second volume – covering the years between 1998, where the first book left off, and his historic Badminton win in April at the age of 55.
“It’s a catch-up of the past 12 to 13 years,” Mark told H&H. “I thought people might be interested in what I’ve been up to,” he added – with typical Toddy understatement.
The book will take in his retirement after the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the move back to New Zealand to breed and train racehorses, and his comeback for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where he finished 18th on Gandalf after an eight-year break.
“Obviously, the eventing will be a big part of it,” he said. “But the racing will be up there, too – I won the New Zealand Oaks in my first season training.”
As for further details, he remains tight-lipped.
“There’s nothing scandalous or surprising, that’s all I’ll say. You’ll just have to wait and read all about it,” he said.
The book is being “ghosted” by former editor of Eventing magazine and regular H&H reporter Kate Green, who has spent the past week with Toddy at his Berkshire yard, recording his thoughts.
As for the title, that’s work in progress. Kate said: “I still haven’t decided. How about, “Still Crazy After All These Years”…?”
The book’s publication is scheduled to coincide with next year’s Badminton.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (22 September, 2011)
