Testimonials
I am very pleased to advise you that you have won the "Bill Whittaker Book Award" for 2020 for your splendidly researched book "Their Last Ride". One of the most important features of your prodigious research is that you were able to add so many fallen jockeys to the hitherto established list. You deserve the congratulations from both myself and the judging panel.
R L (Bob) Charley AO - 11th June 2020
Former AJC Chairman and former Chairman Australia's Racing Hall of Fame
"The book is Fantastic"
Ray Thomas - Racing Editor - The Telegraph newspaper, Sydney
“The book is outstanding - a most worthy winner"
Alan Jones OAM - TV Presenter, Sky News Television
"Their Last Ride is a welcome addition to the book collection of anyone with an appreciation of the glorious history of Australian racing"
John "Tappy" Tapp OAM - One of Australia's greatest race-callers
"Congratulations again on a superb job of researching and writing…."
Glenn McCullough - Sports Journalist "The Chronicle" Toowoomba
"…you have done a superb job, it will become a definitive and important reference work for racing researchers and historians alike."
John Holmes - Former Sydney trainer and now racing books collector in Victoria
“A monumental, meticulous work that honours the memory of the men and women who have died in Australian racing accidents in the past 100 years. John Payne records their last rides with simple, graphic accounts.
A winner! - I still can't get over all of the research!”
Ray Kerrison - Award Winning Turf Columnist - New York Post, New York, USA
“Congratulations to John Payne in compiling this magnificent historic register of 938 heroic sportsmen and women whose sporting lives ended in death, and now have been ‘brought back to life.’”
Bernard Kenny - Correspondent - "Just Racing" & former International Liaison Manager for the Australian Jockey Club
“I just had to keep reading your excellent book", "Your research is outstanding ", "I consider your book is a racing history masterpiece", "The book is brilliant and thoroughly deserves to win a prestigious award”
Ernie Manning - Racing Writer - WA Newspapers Ltd, Perth, WA
"I reckon it's going to be an invaluable racing reference book for many years to come"
Ken Linnett - author of the book "Tulloch"
“John has done a fantastic job with his book Their Last Ride. While it touches on a very difficult subject in the death of so many jockeys he has done it in a very respectful and interesting manner.”
Paul Richards, Journalist, “Winning Post”, Racing Victoria
"It's a monumental work", "I've already solved a problem using it", "You've done well to keep the price at $49.95 for such a big book"
Graham Caves - revered racing historian
"This will be something people will be looking at 100 years from now.", "Overall its brilliant. Take a bow."
Barry Collier - published racing author
“it is a very important book”
Kerry Woodlock - Queensland racing historian
“Horse racing forms part of the lives of many Australians - jockeys play an integral role in this sport and the dangers they face each work day is often underestimated. This book provides thoughtful recognition of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Mark Pratt, son-in-law and MRC Committee member
"What a mammoth task you took on. It seems to be well set out and comprehensively indexed. Your book deserves to do well"
Sue Ridgewell - Grand-daughter of Tulloch's owner, E A Haley
"You have done a such great job (and such a huge amount of work!) and I can see it becoming a useful reference tool for years to come"
Kate Webber - Senior Library Assistant, Wagga Wagga City Council
The book looks great, it is a real credit to you!", "I’m sure our patrons will enjoy it."
Scotia Tracey - Library Acquisitions Officer, Lithgow City Council
R L (Bob) Charley AO - 11th June 2020
Former AJC Chairman and former Chairman Australia's Racing Hall of Fame
"The book is Fantastic"
Ray Thomas - Racing Editor - The Telegraph newspaper, Sydney
“The book is outstanding - a most worthy winner"
Alan Jones OAM - TV Presenter, Sky News Television
"Their Last Ride is a welcome addition to the book collection of anyone with an appreciation of the glorious history of Australian racing"
John "Tappy" Tapp OAM - One of Australia's greatest race-callers
"Congratulations again on a superb job of researching and writing…."
Glenn McCullough - Sports Journalist "The Chronicle" Toowoomba
"…you have done a superb job, it will become a definitive and important reference work for racing researchers and historians alike."
John Holmes - Former Sydney trainer and now racing books collector in Victoria
“A monumental, meticulous work that honours the memory of the men and women who have died in Australian racing accidents in the past 100 years. John Payne records their last rides with simple, graphic accounts.
A winner! - I still can't get over all of the research!”
Ray Kerrison - Award Winning Turf Columnist - New York Post, New York, USA
“Congratulations to John Payne in compiling this magnificent historic register of 938 heroic sportsmen and women whose sporting lives ended in death, and now have been ‘brought back to life.’”
Bernard Kenny - Correspondent - "Just Racing" & former International Liaison Manager for the Australian Jockey Club
“I just had to keep reading your excellent book", "Your research is outstanding ", "I consider your book is a racing history masterpiece", "The book is brilliant and thoroughly deserves to win a prestigious award”
Ernie Manning - Racing Writer - WA Newspapers Ltd, Perth, WA
"I reckon it's going to be an invaluable racing reference book for many years to come"
Ken Linnett - author of the book "Tulloch"
“John has done a fantastic job with his book Their Last Ride. While it touches on a very difficult subject in the death of so many jockeys he has done it in a very respectful and interesting manner.”
Paul Richards, Journalist, “Winning Post”, Racing Victoria
"It's a monumental work", "I've already solved a problem using it", "You've done well to keep the price at $49.95 for such a big book"
Graham Caves - revered racing historian
"This will be something people will be looking at 100 years from now.", "Overall its brilliant. Take a bow."
Barry Collier - published racing author
“it is a very important book”
Kerry Woodlock - Queensland racing historian
“Horse racing forms part of the lives of many Australians - jockeys play an integral role in this sport and the dangers they face each work day is often underestimated. This book provides thoughtful recognition of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Mark Pratt, son-in-law and MRC Committee member
"What a mammoth task you took on. It seems to be well set out and comprehensively indexed. Your book deserves to do well"
Sue Ridgewell - Grand-daughter of Tulloch's owner, E A Haley
"You have done a such great job (and such a huge amount of work!) and I can see it becoming a useful reference tool for years to come"
Kate Webber - Senior Library Assistant, Wagga Wagga City Council
The book looks great, it is a real credit to you!", "I’m sure our patrons will enjoy it."
Scotia Tracey - Library Acquisitions Officer, Lithgow City Council