Castleton Lyons has announced the three finalists for the 19th annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred sports literature.
Arthur B. Hancock III, John Perrotta, and Josh Pons have been selected as this year’s finalists, each bringing unique perspectives to racing literature.
Two of the nominated works delve deep into Thoroughbred family legacies. 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 both explore the rich family histories of their respective authors within the racing industry.
Perrotta rounds out the finalist group with A Beggar’s Ride, a mystery/thriller that traverses racetracks from California to Ireland, where the author currently resides. Perrotta brings extensive industry experience as a former racetrack and stable manager, jockey agent, and radio executive.
“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.”
The competition’s 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 will be announced during a ceremony on November 6 in the loft above the stallion barn at the Ryan family’s Castleton Lyons farm near Lexington.
The Book Award will present a $10,000 check to the winner, while the two remaining finalists will each receive $1,000. All three authors will be presented with Tipperary crystal trophies.
This year’s judging panel consists of 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, who serves as a director of the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm.
