A personal and autobiographical account of one man's passionate love affair with horse racing and betting, this book chronicles the origins and consequences of his obsession with the sport and his addiction to gambling, through good times and bad. By interweaving dramatic racing moments with key episodes from his own experiences, Reid shows how a love of "the turf" can transform and intensify everyday life. The book celebrates some of the great racing personalities of the last 40 years--from Sir Peter O'Sullevan and Lester Piggott to Jonjo O'Neill and Captain Ryan Price--and focuses on some of the most legendary horses, including Arkle and Dawn Run. As well as being a vivid portrayal of horse-racing life, this is a book about fathers and sons, grandmothers and grandsons, and the sometimes painful path from childhood to adulthood.