The history of horse racing

I read this book years ago, finding it in my Middle School library. Even at the time, I found it utterly fascinating. Longrigg covers the history of horse racing around the world as far back as it's known to exist. He also covers different types of racing and competition on horseback as they are found in different cultures worldwide. From the beginning, this book hooks the reader's attention and keeps it moving all throughout. Along with the thorough history are beautiful illustrations such as photographs, black-and-white and color, of famous horses and people in racing, and also paintings and sketches depicting racing celebrities in pre-photographic times.