Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., is pleased to host this year's finalists for the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for a book signing.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Where: At the Joseph Abercrombie Center at Old Friends
Location: Old Friends Dream Chase Farm, 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, Ky.
Note: Books will be available for purchase.
"Old Friends is especially honored to host these outstanding authors who represent the highest standard of Thoroughbred journalism and storytelling at our Josephine Abercrombie Center," said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. "The prestigious Dr. Tony Ryan Book Awards are an expression of the rich history and colorful tapestry of our sport and Old Friends and all the champions who reside with us are proud to be a part of it."
The three finalists for this year's award who will be on hand to sign their books are:
- Katherine C. Mooney: Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey
- Kim Wickens: Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse
- Curtis Stock: The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty.
In addition to the finalists, one semifinalist will also be on hand to sign his book:
- John Paul Miller: False Riches
The winner of this year's award will be announced at a reception later that night at Castleton Lyons farm.
Originated in 2007 by Dr. Tony Ryan, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award is the first literary award to honor the best books about Thoroughbreds and Thoroughbred racing, with the winning author receiving $10,000. Today, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award is run by Shane Ryan, the late Dr. Ryan's son and President of Castleton Lyons farm.
More Information about the Finalists (Information provided by the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award press release)
Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey
Author: Katherine C. Mooney
An accomplished racing historian herein tells the story of a legendary Black jockey born during slavery, who enroute to glory as a rider, dealt with virulent racism and ever-worsening health issues. Isaac Murphy won three Kentucky Derbys and compiled an unmatchable 44% win-rate before his untimely passing at 35. Nearly sixty years later, in 1955, he became the first jockey inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. Despite his diminutive size, Murphy was a larger-than-life character, known for integrity and scrupulous honesty - at a time when corruption flourished in racing - as well as an almost surreal skill in the saddle. Arguably racing's first superstar, he remains revered even today as one of the best jockeys of all time.
Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse
Author: Kim Wickens
This skillfully researched work tells the story of one of America's most influential Thoroughbreds. In portraying the life of mid-19th century champion Lexington, Kim Wickens underscores what racing meant to America during the pre-Civil War era ... how epic races and heroic racehorses dominated the scene, drawing massive crowds to tracks. In the 1850s, Lexington was the biggest crowd pleaser of all, a charismatic colt of record-breaking speed and untold stamina, whose Hall of Fame career Wickens traces, along with the colorful cast of human characters around him. After encroaching blindness took him off the track, Lexington entered stud in Kentucky, where he endured the dangers of the Civil War before becoming a 16-time leading American sire. Even 160 years later, he can still be found in the far reaches of the pedigrees of top racehorses.
The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty
Author: Curtis Stock
Those who have followed racing for a while will likely recall Ron Turcotte as the jockey who guided Secretariat to his electrifying 1973 Triple Crown sweep, and who later was permanently paralyzed in a racing accident. What they may not know is that Turcotte led a family of accomplished jockeys, all with stories to tell, and that the five race-riding brothers together won more than 8,200 races. Curtis Stock - an 11-time Sovereign Award winner for writing - penned and researched this tale of one of the sport's biggest dynasties. It is a biography and oral history, largely based on decades of interviews, and it illustrates how often triumph and tragedy go hand-in-hand in the world of racing.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
