Racing through a year

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 20

Racing through a year

The DB Racing Annual. Fourteenth edition, Moa Publications, 1985, Edited by John Costello. 160 pp. $24.95 The “DB Annual” has made its customary and welcome appearance, and as in previous years it will no doubt solve the problem of providing a Christmas gift for many a Dad — and more that a few Mums. This well-designed and skilfully edited volume provides a record of the 1984-85 racing season, and virtually everything of note that happened in the year receives a mention. As well as contributing chapters of his own, John Costello has enlisted the aid of racing journalists from round New Zealand to

sum up the season in their own areas. Additionally, there are sections on the juveniles; the three-year-olds, on the big cup races, the jumping scene, the season overseas, and on some of the-better-known human personalities, jockeys, trainers, and owners, who made the racing headlines. ? The exploits of the book’s equine heroes and heroines are brought to life by an abundance of photographs, some in colour. The annual is made all the more acceptable to any racing fan by the inclusion of historical records, detailed results of the season’s main races, and statistics and details from the National Yearling sale. — John-Hickey. I .