Kim Wickens has been named winner of the 2023 Dr. Tony Ryan Guide Award for excellence in Thoroughbred racing literature together with her meticulously researched and superbly written biography of the nice nineteenth century stallion, Lexington. The e book, Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Instances of America’s Legendary Racehorse, creates a vivid time capsule again to the pre and publish Civil Battle period through which he lived. This was the second straight yr a e book in regards to the peerless sire was honored, following Geraldine Brooks’ 2022 win for her novel, Horse. Lexington is the primary e book authored by Wickens, a former legal protection lawyer who at the moment resides in Kentucky.
“One of many largest challenges of nonfiction writing about early Thoroughbred racing is making the info present in 1800s racing publications, newspapers and different information come alive on the fashionable web page,” lead decide Kay Coyte noticed. “Wickens tells the factual story of Lexington and the characters surrounding him with heat, intelligence, typically humor, and all the time class. She clearly beloved her topic and she or he breathed her enthusiasm into each chapter.”
Different finalists included Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey, by Katherine C. Mooney, and The Turcottes: The Outstanding Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty, by Curtis Inventory. The three high books had been chosen from 22 entries, all printed throughout the 2023 calendar yr.Â
“The nominees for this yr’s Guide Award had been a unprecedented group,” famous Coyte. “We had entries from three former winners and a number of other finalists, but a few of the strongest titles had been by first-time authors.”
A panel of three literary and racing business judges, headed by Coyte, a former editor on the Washington Submit, labored collectively in figuring out this yr’s outcomes. Coyte was joined by award-winning tv broadcast journalist Caton Bredar, and former Boston Globe columnist Diane White of Outdated Pals Thoroughbred Retirement.
The finalists had been acknowledged at a cocktail reception on November 20, held within the loft above the historic stallion barn on the Ryan household’s Castleton Lyons, close to Lexington, Kentucky. As all the time, a $10,000 first prize was awarded, with $1,000 going to every of the runners-up.
All three acquired Tipperary crystal trophies within the type of Castleton Lyons’ iconic stone tower.
Now in its 18th yr, the award was based in 2006 by famous philanthropist and international businessman Dr. Tony Ryan. Its objective was to showcase the very best book-length writing with a horse racing backdrop. Since his 2007 passing, the competitors has been continued by Dr. Ryan’s son and present president of Castleton Lyons, Shane Ryan. Previous honorees have included a Pulitzer Prize winner, a recipient of the Nationwide Guide Award, and a number of other Eclipse Award-winners for writing.
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