Here you will find the most significant events of half a millennium set out on the very date on which they occurred, along with a veritable treasure trove of births, deaths, achievements, records, feats, unusual happenings, comic capers, worthwhile words and notable turf topics. As racing is a sport in which the participants seem always to be looking towards tomorrow and the next race, this book put events into perspective and will act as an aide memoire so that when you read or dip into it and spot an entry which interests or intrigues you, you will firstly enjoy recalling what it was and, secondly, express surprise that it was either so recent or, and this is more likely, so long ago. Don't cheat and look it up - when was Shergar kidnapped? When did Arkle last race? When did Lester Piggott retire for the first time? When did Frankie Dettori ride all seven winners at Ascot? When did Ascot racecourse first open for business? You'll find all the answers inside, along with thousands more.