The Grey Horse: The True Story of Desert Orchid. Richard Burridge. Hardback 1992

THE GREY HORSE: THE TRUE STORY DESERT ORCHID by Ricahrd Burridge.

Every so often, a racehorse becomes a legend. Desert Orchid has dominated the racing scene in the Eighties with his style, his magnificent jumping, his enthusiasm and, above all, his courage. Over the nine years of his remarkable career he has touched many lives, and the British public have taken him to their herats. He has become a household name, the subject of reams of newsprint, with his own fan club and a loyal following.

The story of Desert Orchid is a modern fairy tale, from the lowly origins of his birth through a brilliant hurdling career up to his winning an unprecedented four consecutive awards as National Hunt Horse of the Year. This is the dramatic inside story, compellingly told by his principal owner, Richard Burridge, a professional scriptwriter, and charts the highs, and occasional lows, of this wonderful horse. The book also details the extraordinary impact Desert Orchid has had on the Burridge family and on the lives of all who have come into contact with him.

There are many surprises - Desert Orchid has many secrets. Whenever something happened it was thought better not to advertise at the time, David Elsworth, the horse's trainer, said 'put it in the book'. This is that book. This is the true story of Desert Orchid.

A hardback published in 1992 by Pelham Books