Like autumn leaves, our new books will be hitting the ground in the next few weeks. There are three of them – and as different a trio of racing books as you could find.

First up is Sam Morshead’s vivid memoir RACING THROUGH LIFE.  It spins along through his days as jump jockey with uninhibited flair and enjoymentand closes with his successes as manager of Perth racecourse and his current battle with cancer. You will find it an engagingly funny, exciting and at the end, very poignant read.

Second is the latest of our Legends Series – this one on SPRINTER SACRE. As with earlier volumes on SEA THE STARS, KAUTO STAR, MCCOY and FRANKEL this is a scrap-book of Racing Post articles and photographs detailing the career of the most spectacular jumper of recent years and the most popular horse currently in training.

I have done the editing which means selecting and introducing the articles through which we tell the story. It’s an interesting way of painting a portrait because there is no option for hindsight. Because of our daily commitment the Racing Post has logged every one of Sprinter Sacre’s races these past seven years as well as taking countless pictures and many thousands of words. It is – to risk a pompous phrase I have used before – history in the present tense. 

The third book is an even greater contrast. HOW’S YOUR DAD? originally set out to be no more and no less than an on the spot diary of a year at a racing stable. The stable being Mick Channon’s and the writer being Mick Channon Jnr. But, as the title suggests, it has evolved into something much deeper and even more challenging, enjoyable and at times both shocking and deeply moving. In any field there is something wonderful in discovering a fresh and brilliant talent. Believe me Mick Channon Jnr – mind you he’s nearly 40 – can really write.