Harness Racing PEI has announced that Retromedia Publishing will launch 'Behind the Gate' by Paul Murphy on December 4, 2008 at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre (CDPEC).
The book launch, which will get underway at 11:45 a.m., will be open to the public.
Retired school teacher Paul Murphy has written Behind the Gate, about the life stories and achievements of a cross section of harness racing heroes from PEI and the other Atlantic provinces. It includes a good selection of grassroots people who form the strong fabric of the harness racing culture with its drivers, trainers, grooms, owners, veterinarians, fans and wonderful horses.
Murphy's passion for harness racing shines through in every page of the book. The selection of pictures in the book includes shots from nationally-acclaimed horse photographer Monica Thors, along with local harness racing photographers Gail MacDonald, Ann MacNeil and Gordon Slaunwhite.
A few of those harness racing individuals who have the spotlight shining brightly on them in Behind the Gate include world class PEI native son Wally Hennessey, along with talented veteran Island horsemen Barney McGuigan and celebrated veterinarian Ian Moore. New Brunswick star reinsman Gilles Barrieau, and Canada's and Nova Scotia's most accomplished female driver, Clare MacDonald, are also showcased.
Behind the Gate is being published by Retromedia Publishing of Charlottetown. It is available online here and will be available on December 4 in local book stores.