Mr. Darley’s Arabian— High Life, Low Life, Sporting Life: A History of Racing in 25 Horses

The Darley Arabian unites “the lineage of nineteen out of twenty thoroughbreds lining up for any race, anywhere in the world,” writes veteran horse racing reporter McGrath in this frustrating book. In the family tree of horse racing, the Darley Arabian is basically the trunk. McGrath details 25 of the branches sprouting from this almost mythical horse—which, ironically, never raced—beginning from to its birth in 1700. This leads to tales of debauchery by horse owners, noblemen, and racetrack principals; and the development of more humane training methods for horses to a “numbers game.” Telling a story of this massive scope is an ambitious undertaking, and McGrath fails to achieve it. His devotion to side characters and their turbulent stories, though entertaining, often takes readers off course. The commitment to research’s nooks and crannies is so complete that McGrath casts his work more as a reference book than an intriguing example of narrative nonfiction. Devoted subjects of the sport of kings will adore the historical diversions; others may feel overwhelmed. Color and b&w illus. (Mar.)