Dick Francis Reading Group discussion

Edward wrote: "I vaguely recall one of the Dick Francis books wherein the main character challenged the jockeys to a lap or two around the course. He didn't win, but he also wasn't hailing the cab. He thus gained..."

This is Wild Horses. It's about Thomas Lyon, an ex-amateur jockey turned film director, who is making a film and ends up investigating the story he's filming. One of the scenes in the film is a race, and he rides in the rehearsal race to gain the respect of the jockeys, so they'll make the race look real for the film.