Racehorse: The Complete Guide to the World of Horse Racing

by Elwyn Hartley Edwards

The extraordinary history of racing is brought to life with stories and images of the world’s greatest racehorses and covers everything from the three foundation sires that led to the development of the British Thoroughbred to the American Standardbred and such modern horse heroes as Nijinsky, Man o' War, Red Rum, and Desert Orchid. The contributions of the great jockeys are also explored, including living legend and nine-time derby winner Lestor Piggot and the incomparable racing superstar Frankie Dettori. This study also celebrates the world’s most spectacular racecourses and the classic races that make them household names around the world, including the English Derby at Epsom, the Kentucky Derby, and the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba. Flat racing, steeple-chasing, and harness racing are all covered in this fascinating and comprehensive guide.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Captain Elwyn Hartley Edwards, MC, was an equestrian writer and editor, born on 17 April 1927 on a boat between India and Britain, and his birth recorded in North Wales. He died on 9 December 2007, aged 80.

Elwyn Edwards was the editor of Riding magazine for 18 years. And the consultant editor for Horse & Hound for five years, he also served as a regional chairman of the British Horse Society and as a member of the BHS council, receiving the society's Award of Merit in 1993. He was also a vice-president of the Riding for the Disabled Association and vice-patron of the Horse and Pony Protection Association.

He used to regularly judge horse shows in the UK. He had written more than 30 books on horse-related subjects and was an authority on lorinery and saddlery