Hancock, Perrotta, and Pons Named Tony Ryan Book Award Finalists

[Wandering Eyes]

Arthur B. Hancock III, John Perrotta, and Josh Pons have been named finalists for the 19th annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, which celebrates excellence in Thoroughbred sports literature.

Two of the titles, Hancock's “Dark Horses: A Memoir of Redemption” and Pons's “Letters From Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o' War, and the Founding of Maryland's Oldest

Thoroughbred Farm” are biographies steeped in the family Thoroughbred history of each author.

Perrotta, a lifelong horseman who has been a racetrack and stable manager, jockey agent and radio executive, joins the group with “A Beggar's Ride,” a mystery/thriller tale that spans racetracks from California to Ireland, the author's current home.

“These finalists have much in common: men who have devoted their lives to Thoroughbred racing, but also have nurtured their creative sides,” said Book Award judge Kay Coyte. “They did so, not only through these books, but also through journalism, songwriting or screenwriting. Oh, the stories they can tell.”

Semifinalists included: “The History of the Kentucky Derby in 75 Objects,” by Kentucky Derby Museum and Jessica K. Whitehead; “Jockey Queen: Lillian Jenkinson Holder, Horse Racing's Fearless Lady,” by Roger Peach; and “What Horses Do After Racing: The Story of Good Carma,” by Jay Privman.

The winner's ceremony will be held in the loft above the stallion barn at the Ryan family's Castleton Lyons farm near Lexington on Nov. 6.

In addition to the $10,000 winner's check, the Book Award will present $1,000 to the other two finalists. Each will receive Tipperary crystal trophies.

The 2024 judging team included Coyte, an Eclipse Award-winning former Washington Post editor; Caton Bredar, an Eclipse-winning television on-air host and handicapper; Kim Wickens, winner of the 2023 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for “Lexington,” and former Boston Globe columnist Diane White, a director of the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm.

The post Hancock, Perrotta, and Pons Named Tony Ryan Book Award Finalists appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article