Tim Gard, a lifelong student of the thoroughbred, has written a long overdue account of the history, background and international spread of the thoroughbred.

Comprising 480 pages in full colour, ‘the Blood the Soil the Gold’ contains forewords from Bart Cummings and John Foote, the selector of Makybe Diva’s mother whilst she carried her now legendary daughter. It provides a comprehensive history of the thoroughbred documented in a stimulating, ‘can’t put it down’ style. One of the final chapters provides a testimonial, with paddock photographs and a ballad to Makybe Diva.

Tim advises that early appraisals of his book have been ‘quite humbling’, including that of Buckingham Palace, who have approved of a copy as a gift to Her Majesty.

Priced affordably in hard cover ($75) or soft cover ($49.95) versions, the book tracks the thoroughbred from the Romans in England, through battles, the Crusades, migrations and royal lineage, to the 17th century where the recorded taproots of today’s thoroughbreds come in to effect.

Effectively the ‘thoroughbred bible’, ‘the Blood the Soil the Gold’ then traces in detail 300 years of sire lines to present day, and highlights the influence of those great sires, broodmares and also the great races on the breed. The book examines international variations in breed, using unique colour schematics, whilst providing informed conjecture on the future of the thoroughbred for the aficionado and general reader alike.

Few sectors of the community work harder than Australia’s hundreds of jockeys and few face greater risk in their work. Sales of the book will benefit the recently established National Jockeys Trust. The Trust assists the families of disadvantqaged jockeys or those who have died serving their sport.

The book can be obtained through:

· specialist equine bookstores (telephone first to check for stocks)

· Dymocks stores (telephone first)

· or order direct through the special website www.thebloodthesoilthegold.com

Telephone orders using Mastercard or Visa can also be made direct with the author on 08 8358 4233, or by emailing: tim@yesforces.com

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