REVIEWER MEETS REVIEWED
SEMINAR SERIES AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM’S CENTRE FOR ANTHROPOLOGY
Horse People
“The world of Thoroughbred racing is glamorous, secretive, dangerous, and seductive – the sport of kings and the poor man’s obsession. While the spectacle of racing stirs the imagination, it belies the ruthless business that lies beneath.”
When: Thursday, December 10th 2009 at 10am (tea and coffee from 9:30)
Where: Centre for Anthropology, British Museum
The British Museum’s Centre for Anthropology, in collaboration with the Royal Anthropological Institute, will be continuing its series of encounters between authors and their reviewers with a seminar discussion between Dr. Rebecca Cassidy, author of Horse People: Thoroughbred Culture in Lexington and Newmarket, and Dr. Margaret Taylor, who reviewed the work for JRAI.
Drawing from intensive field work in Suffolk’s Newmarket and Kentucky’s Lexington, Rebecca Cassidy gives us the inside track on all players in the industry – from the elite breeders and owners to the stable boys, racetrack workers, and veterinarians. She leads us through horse farms, breeding barns, and yearling sales; explains rigorous training regimens; and brings us trackside on race day.
But the history of thoroughbred racing culture is more than a collection of fascinating characters and exciting events. Cassidy’s investigation reveals the factors – ethical, cultural, political, and economic – that have shaped the racing tradition.
Please email Stefan Marianski for bookings and enquiries.
