You may remember John Payne from our magazine two years ago when he self- published his first book; Their Last Ride: The Fallen Jockeys of Australia.

Rightfully so, ‘Their Last Ride’ has recently won the Bill Whittaker Book Award for 2020. This award is given biennially for the best new book on Australian horse racing. There were a total of 33 books published on horse racing in Australia/New Zealand in the two years of 2018 and 2019, with the criteria for the winning book is that it adds to the knowledge of the Australian racing history, it is well written and it is well produced.

Bob Charley OA, former AJC Chairman and former Chairman Australia’s Racing Hall of Fame said, “Their Last Ride is splendidly researched. One of the most important features of John’s prodigious research is that he was able to add so many fallen jockeys to the hitherto established list. John deserves the congratulations from both myself and the judging panel.”

Their Last Ride is a monumental book of 630 pages that tells the story of every jockey that has lost their life riding in a race, riding in barrier trials or riding track work in Australia. John has written a piece on each individual jockey, a true honour to their memory. There are 938 jockeys recorded in this book covering 1847 to 2017.

John, an incredibly humble man, is a prolific researcher of horse racing and spent the last eight years compiling this book. “I spent a lot of time, nearly all day every day at the State and National libraries, they were like my second home. As an old geezer who has written his only book, I’m more than happy to see these jockeys in this book finally honoured and respected for what they did. This has never been done before and that amazes me.

The purpose of the book is not to reflect grief or sorrow on the part of those who have given their lives to riding race-horses, but rather reflect on them as individuals and to honour them for their sacrifice. There are very few occupations where an ambulance follows you about whilst you are working, highlighting the dangers of the profession.”

The book has sparked the interest of many with Condobolin taking the reins in erecting a monument in honour. “This monument will have all of the fallen jockeys from my book (ones that fell in races) and they have asked me to come and be there for the opening,” said John.

A hearty congratulations from all of us here at Orange City Life, John.

Whether or not you are a historian, book-collector, racing enthusiast, a descendant of one of the deceased, a racing official, jockey or strapper, you’ll absolutely enjoy this contribution of the history of racing in Australia.

Their Last Ride: The Fallen Jockeys of Australia can be purchases online at www.theirlastride.com.au or contact John by email jypayne@bigpond.net.au

“A monumental, meticulous work, that honours the memory of the men and women who have died in Australian accidents in the past 200 years. John Payne records their last rides with simple, graphic accounts.”

Ray Kerrison
Award Winning Turf Columnist
New York Post, New York USA

“I just had to keep reading your excellent book- your research is outstanding. I consider your book a racing history masterpiece. The book is brilliant and thoroughly deserves to win a prestigious award.”
Ernie Manning
Racing Writer- Sport – WA Newspapers Ltd, Perth, WA