Horse racing may be famously known as the ‘sport of kings’ but, in the pursuit of prize money and getting one over the bookies, it also has attained a notoriety for some underhand, corrupt and downright illegal practices. Horse racing in Wales is not exempt from these dodgy dealings and on many occasions has led the way in its ingenuity to devise jaw-dropping cons and cunning deceptions.

In The Scams, Scandals and Gambles of Horse Racing in Wales, Brian Lee, the veteran and highly regarded Welsh racing correspondent has, for the first time, compiled a comprehensive collection of true stories that reveals Welsh racing’s most notorious crooks, loveable rogues and most infamous scams.

‘Brian’s fascinating book lays bare some of the biggest scandals, and the strangest of happenings, of Welsh horse racing.

‘It’s packed with punchy, informative and often hilarious stories and anyone remotely interested in horse racing will love it.’ - Robert King, from his foreword.

‘Horse racing’s popularity has been sustained through its astonishing ability to stumble from scams to corruptions and from bent jockeys to crooked bookies.

‘Brian Lee, through his enormous passion and dedication to detail, is a walking encyclopaedia of horse racing and this special book on the fascinating drama and mystery of racing’s ‘dark arts’ is one to truly enjoy.’ - Brian Radford, ex-racing editor of the Western Mail and assistant editor of The Sporting Life, from his preface.

• Published by St. David’s Press, of Cardiff, the book is priced £14.99.