A Passion for Thoroughbreds

 A vivid memoir of Australian racing and three families that shaped its destiny

William Rutledge grew up in a family that was steeped in racing history and affairs of the Australian turf. His great grandfather Thomas Rutledge owned Yattendon which won the first Sydney Cup in 1866. His maternal grandfather Colin Stephen succeeded his great uncle Adrian Knox as
AJC chairman.

This book relates the careers of these forebears, the horses they raced and their contribution to the administration of horse racing in Australia.
There is a chapter about the author’s father TLF Rutledge who owns some notable horses and served on the AJC committee for several years and there is valuable information about picnic racing, which in the late 19th and early 20th centuries occupied a more important place in the racing world than it does today. The work concludes with William Rutledge’s own personal involvement with the great sport
of racing.
Superbly illustrated throughout, this work features many rare, never seen before photos, paintings and charts which bring the story to life.
Bob Charley, former AJC chairman has written the foreword in which he commends this book as an important chapter in racing’s history.