Horseracing and the British, 1919–39

A detailed consideration of the history of racing in British culture and society and an exploration of the cultural world of racing during the inter-war years. It shows how racing's pleasures were enjoyed even by the supposedly respectable middle classes.

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This book provides a detailed consideration of the history of racing in British culture and society, and explores the cultural world of racing during the interwar years. The book shows how racing gave pleasure even to the supposedly respectable middle classes and gave some working-class groups hope and consolation during economically difficult times. Regular attendance and increased spending on betting were found across class and generation, and women too were keen participants. Enjoyed by the royal family and controlled by the Jockey Club and National Hunt Committee, racing's visible emphasis on rank and status helped defend hierarchy and gentlemanly amateurism, and provided support for more conservative British attitudes. The mass media provided a cumulative cultural validation of racing, helping define national and regional identity, and encouraging the affluent consumption of sporting experience and a frank enjoyment of betting. The broader cultural approach of the first half of the book is followed by an exploration if the internal culture of racing itself.

An electronic edition of this book is freely available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND) licence. -- .