Aborigines and the 'Sport of Kings'

Aboriginal Jockeys in Australian Racing History

Aborigines and the ‘Sport of Kings’ is a celebration of the significant involvement and impact of Aboriginals in Australian horse racing history. Beginning with the remarkable history of Australian Aboriginal people’s first contact with horses and how the European animals caused them bewilderment and terror, this book then discusses how, over time, they caught horses and taught themselves to ride and showed an uncanny affinity with horses. The work then goes on to share numerous stories of some of Australia’s most successful and famous Aboriginal jockeys, including Merv Maynard, Norm Rose, Frank Reys, Richard Lawrence ‘Darby’ McCarthy, and Leigh-Anne Goodwin, Australia’s first female Aboriginal jockey to ride a winner at a metropolitan track. A complete guide to Indigenous jockeys across all forms of racing, including jump racing, this book stands as an important contribution to the history of Australian sport.