This is a comprehensive and enjoyable look at the life and racing history of Desert Orchid, the British horse-racing phenomenon, who drew unprecedented crowds and media attention over a nine-year career, as success followed success, and whose failures, if anything, added to his popularity.

I enjoyed Des’s story a great deal - I knew very little about racing going in, and was glad to find it accessible and therefore interesting... there is a distinct colt-of-personality (I slay me) feel to the author's writing, but pride-of-ownership aside, it was true to the reaction that Desert Orchid inspired at the time. Hell, even I'd heard of the grey horse, because he regularly jumped from the back third of British newspapers to the front page.

Despite being a scriptwriter, author/owner Burridge isn’t the sleekest story-teller in the world, but he has a truly engaging story to tell, and enough writing chops to get it across entertainingly and informatively. He gives the reader a nose-to-tail insight into the breeding, training, racing, care, decision-making and public face of this undeniably magnificent horse. ( )