Join EA Festival for a lunch-time talk with Jamie Reid, author of Monsieur X—nominated for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. This gripping true story follows Patrice des Moutis, the French aristocrat who manipulated the nation’s state-run horse racing system for years. By exploiting loopholes, orchestrating syndicates, and applying advanced probability, he forced the government to repeatedly rewrite the rules—while continuing to win millions. The book blends thriller-style narrative with insider insights, ideal for general readers, racing fans, punters, and bettors seeking the story behind the odds.

About Jamie Reid:
Jamie Reid is a journalist and lifelong racing enthusiast, a regular contributor to the Financial Times’ How To Spend It, and has written for The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, and various magazines. His previous books include A Licence to Print Money, Blown, and Doped: The Real Life Story of the 1960s Racehorse Doping Gang—winner of the 2013 William Hill Sports Book of the Year. Reid is an authority on gambling, horse racing history, and the cultural mythology surrounding sport.

The one-hour talk  will take place at 12 noon, followed by a glass of sparkling wine during the book signing and a two-course set lunch in The Dining Room.  

Tickets are £75 for Talk plus Lunch and £20 for the Talk Only.