A Romance of the Turf: Park Top. This item is unavailable.A Romance of the Turf: Park Top

Park Top, who raced between 1967 and 1970, was arguably the best English-bred race mare of the 20th century. When she retired she was the second highest stakes-winning mare in European racing history. Her victories included the Ribblesdale Stakes, the Coronation Cup, The George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Hardwicke Stakes. She finished second in the Championship Stakes, the Arc de Triomphe and Eclipse Stakes.;In this volume the Duke of Devonshire describes in detail Park Top's 24 races. He recalls her failures as well as her triumphs, his attempt to sell her in mid-career, and the tactics of her jockeys, Lestor Piggott and Geoff Lewis. He also pays tribute to her trainer Bernard van Cutsen and his staff at Stanley House.

The Duke of Devonshire has served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1960-2), Minister of State, Commonwealth Relations Office (1962-4) and Minister of State for Colonial Affairs (1963-4). He has also served as an executive Steward of the Jockey Club (1966-9) and as a member of the Horserace Totalisator Board (1977-86). He currently owns several racehorses, is involved with a wide variety of charitable organizations, and was Chancellor of Manchester University. He was created Knight of the Garter in 1996.