The Bottom Line
Although the climate for women jockeys has defintely improved in the 30 years since they were first allowed to ride, it is still more difficult for them to get the big horses or rides in the big races. While the stories these ladies tell are different, all share the common themes of their love of horses and determination to succeed in their chosen career.
Pros
- A great look at some of the top female jockeys
Cons
- A bit out of date now but still interesting
Description
- Originally focused on women still riding, but several have retired since it was published.
- Not written by writers who normally cover racing
- Nice to get a look behind the scenes at how the ladies are treated.
Guide Review - Review - Great Women in the Sport of Kings
This interesting little book gives an in depth look at the lives of the current top female jockeys from childhood and how they became interesting in racing through the present. Included are such well known ladies as Julie Krone, Donna Barton, Rosemary Homeisterm Jr., and Diane Nelson. Although the main focus is on women currently riding, a excellent historical introduction by by women's sport historian Mary Jo Festle details the difficult start women had when they first started riding and a nice chronology of America's first female jockeys is also included. There is a chapter for each of the ladies included with a biographical sketch followed by their life story in their own words. This along with lots of pictures from childhood with their first horse to current racing photos give the book a really personal feel.Although the editors are journalists who really don't have much of a connection to the racing industry, they still manage to give the subject an excellent treatment and obviously have a great admiration for these women who have persevered in a male dominated sport. Any racing fan should find this book very interesting and will enjoy the inside look into the lives of these ladies of the turf.
