HOME OF THE RACING POET

"...it is one thing to hold the attention of an audience while reciting poetry, quite another to write poetry that keeps that audience enthralled. Henry Birtles captures the essential excitement which is generated by the champions of the turf about whom he writes."Bob Charley - Former Chairman Australian Jockey Club

"Henry Birtles has created a great niche for writing and delivering bespoke racing poems. His "Best Mate" has become an essential part of Gold Cup Day when he recites this beside the horse's statue. The Derby poem is terrific and was well used by BBC during their coverage last year and he delivered a wonderful tribute to Sir Peter O'Sullevan on the day we celebrated his 90th Birthday at Cheltenham."Edward Gillespie - Managing Director, Cheltenham Racecourse

Through his passion for racing, Henry Birtles has found a style to capture the heartbeat and humour of the sport with no-nonsense poems in the way they used to be written; to evoke without confusion, to reach and to remind, to resonate and to paint in words some of those moments and characters that have defined the sport of racing for many.

Compliment the moment, or the portrait, or the trophy, or the photo with something a little different. Relive your racing memories or the exploits of your horse through verse, whatever they were - good, bad, happy or sad.