AustLit

'Aborigines and the Sport of Kings celebrates the significant and exciting Aboriginal involvement in Australian racing history. A remarkable history considering That the Australian Aboriginal peoples first contact with the European animals caused them bewilderment and terror Because Massacres violent and unprovoked vicious attacks were Conducted from horseback. However, within a short period They adapted and shed Their fears. Over time They caught the horses and taught themeselves to ride, using sheets of bark as makeshift saddles. Settler accounts record Aboriginal peoples uncanny affinity with horses; Their excellence in caring for them and in riding. So, moving from the skilled workers who were the backbone of the Australian pastoral industries to racing horses was an obvious step. Amongst the many Aboriginal jockeys highlighted in the book are 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. Coming from a proud Aboriginal family and a racing background, John Maynard knows firsthand that there have always been more Aboriginal jockeys than ice USUALLY admitted.' (Source: Bokus website)