The Legend of Istabraq by Michael Glower

Hardback with dust cover, 168 pages illustrated with colour photographs. Irish hurdler Istabraq became only the fifth horse in horse racing history to win three consecutive Champion hurdles and one of only three horses to win at four Cheltenham festivals in a row. This is more than the story of a famous racehorse. Beneath the big race glory is the tragedy of the man who first recognised Istabraq's phenomenal potential. John Durkan persuaded the legendary gambler J. P. McManus to buy the horse, who he believed would launch his own training career. Tragically, Durkan was struck down by leukaemia and was forced to follow the horse's early jumping career from his hospital bed as he fought the disease which eventually claimed his life. The book is dedicated to his memory. Published in 2000 by Cassell & Co. The book is in excellent condition.