Racing is a national obsession. Few escape its

fascination, from the highest in the land to

the promiscuous and ungovern d crew , the

sporting female to the sober novelist, the poet

laureate to the pamphleteer. P.J.M. Has

assembled their tributes to produce a

delightful little giftbook, a lavishly illustrated

compendium of prose and poetry perfect for

every man - and woman - of the turf.

From John Berjeman an evocative piece on

the heart of England s racing country, from

Hilaire Belloc a cautionary tale on the bookie

and from Enid Bagnold the off for Velvet at

the National. There are thrills and spills from

dashing Dornford Yates and the august

Daniel Defoe. A stableful of winners, then,

placing Racing Rhymes as a firm favourite for

the Christmas Stakes.