Paul Rouse: How National Hunt became part of Irish identity 

Horse racing was understood to be Ireland’s national sport before the establishment of the GAA in the late 19th century.

Golden Miller, ridden by Gerry Wilson being led in by owner Dorothy Paget after winning the Grand National at Aintree, near Liverpool. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

An outstanding new book by Frances Nolan gives a unique insight into the place of the horse in Irish life. In its conception, its research, its writing and its presentation, it is of the very highest quality.

On page after page, the book – National Hunt and Point-to-Point Racing: A History – reveals how important horse racing has been to social and cultural life on this island. This is a love which prospers generation after generation and shows no sign of diminishing.