The Horse in Ireland

Originally published in Eire, this striking and lavish volume by the former education officer of the Irish Horse Board will be hailed as the definitive work on the subject. Smith opens with a chapter on Celtic myths and legends involving horses, then discusses the role of the horse in Irish history, harking back to the pre-Christian era, when the animals were probably used as sacrifices and were eaten, a practice halted in St. Patrick's day. There follow details of the significant role of the cavalry from the Norman conquest to what Smith terms the Williamite Wars (called the Glorious Revolution by the English) and into the 18th and 19th centuries. The material on our century deals with famous owners, jockeys and trainers like Joe McGrath, who bought the famed Nasrullah from the Aga Khan, and Pat Taafe, who rode innumerable winners. There are hundreds of illustrations, including excellent action photos, many of them in color. (July)