Aborigines and the ‘Sport of Kings’: Aboriginal jockeys in Australian racing history

Aboriginal jockeys have played a small but vital part in the Australian racing industry. As stockmen, their talent in the saddle and their intimate knowledge of their country, made them invaluable. Over time, some graduated from the stock route to the racecourse despite the quite rigid racial barriers in place. Maynard explores the history and evolution of Aboriginal involvement in racing. The Aboriginal jockeys highlighted in the book include 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.