‘Before I was a mother, before I was a writer, before I knew the facts of life, before I was a schoolgirl, before I learned to read, I wanted a horse.’

Jane Smiley, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author ofA Thousand Acres, takes us into the heart of the racing world with this irresistible account of her life-long love affair with horses. Smiley draws upon her first-hand knowledge of horses, as well as the wisdom of trainers, vets, jockeys and even a real-life horse whisperer, to examine the horse on all levels - practical, theoretical, and emotional.

She shares not only anecdotes about her own horses, but also fascinating and original insights into horse - and human - behaviour. To all this she adds an element of drama and suspense as two of her own horses begin their careers at the racetrack. As the sexy black filly Waterwheel and the elegant grey colt Wowie aspire to the winner’s circle, we are enchanted, enthralled - and informed about what it’s really like to own, train, and root for a racehorse.A Year at the Races is charming, funny, and a bit outrageous: a candid exploration of the abiding bond between humans and horses, told with panache, intelligence and humour.