Horses for courses - Anne Holland

There can be no better way of getting to know Ireland than by visiting its racecourses: from the glamour of Leopardstown and the class of The Curragh to the majestic mountains around Killarney and the unique challenge of Downpatrick; from the warm welcome at Gowran Park and Clonmel to the summer holidaymakers' meetings and 'industry' days in the winter months. At any one of these venues, you might catch a glimpse of a future Cheltenham Gold Cup champion or Derby winner in action.

Horses for Coursesguides readers through the diverse race meetings and festivals that make up a typical year in Ireland with colourful prose and photographs.

This meticulously researched book, for which author Anne Holland visited every Irish course and met many of Ireland's top racing personalities, highlights the individuality of each Irish racing venue. All have their own special qualities and atmosphere but share two common traits: a warm welcome and good sport. And that is what the author believes Irish racing is all about.

The country's courses enjoy a huge level of support from the local population. It might be raining and some of the races may be 'ordinary' but the stands will always be crowded. That is because racing is part of Irish culture and the nation's way of life: with 27 courses, it has proportionately far more venues than Great Britain.

The people and horses featured withinHorses for Coursesare representative of the broad variety of personalities that make up Irish racing past and present. The book also reveals how much has been done to improve racecourse facilities since the mid-'90s and that substantial investment in the sport is ongoing today.

Lavishly illustrated and passionately written,Horses for Coursesis the definitive guide to Ireland's racecourses and is essential reading for horse-racing enthusiasts everywhere.