Best Australian Racing Stories ― From Archer to Makybe Diva

Did you know that Jorrocks raced till the grand old age of 19? Or that Melbourne Cup-winner Grand Flaneur never lost a race? Or that Sunline was the top stakes-winning mare in the world in her day?

The Best Australian Racing Stories is chock-a-block with the victories and tragedies of these amazing champions and many more. Insiders reveal fascinating stories of the rags-to-riches lives of Tony Santic, Bart Cummings, and T.J. Smith. Some of Australia's finest writers, such as Banjo Paterson, C.J. Dennis, and Les Carlyon, tell tall tales and true of the racing life from Australia's earliest colonial times to the present day. Nat Gould, Jim Haynes, Bruce Montgomerie, Crackers Keenan, and many others share moving memories, engaging yarns, and laughs galore, ensuring that the coat-tuggers, touts, and urgers are never far from view and that the great characters of the track live on.

Whether you are a racing tragic, a lover of horses, or a two-bob, once-a-year punter, you will love this horse racing celebration that ripples with all the laughter, romance, heartbreak, and humanity of the sport of kings.

Jim Haynes has traveled far and wide to meet and interview the people whose stories make up this book. From his days as part of the Slim Dusty touring show, Jim has been aware of the special nature of the trucking industry in both rural and urban Australia. Before becoming a professional entertainer, songwriter, verse writer, and singer in 1988, Jim Haynes taught writing, literature, history, and drama in schools and universities from outback NSW to Britain. While teaching he gained two masters' degrees in literature, from New England University and the University of Wales. Jim Haynes is the author of many Great Australian titles including books on Railways, Aviation, and Horse Racing. He is one of Australia's most successful and prolific Australiana authors.