Kim Wickens has been named winner of the 2023 Dr. Tony Ryan Ebook Award for excellence in Thoroughbred racing literature along with her meticulously researched and superbly written biography of the good 19th 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 post- Civil Struggle period through which he lived. This was the second straight yr a e book concerning the peerless sire was honored, following Geraldine Brooks’ 2022 win for her novel, “Horse.”
Study Extra About Creator Kim Wickens
“Lexington” is the primary e book authored by Wickens, a former legal protection lawyer who at present 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 trendy web page,” lead choose Kay Coyte mentioned. “Wickens tells the factual story of Lexington and the characters surrounding him with heat, intelligence, typically humor, and at all times class. She clearly cherished her topic and he or she 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 Exceptional Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty,” by Curtis Inventory. The three high books have been chosen from 22 entries, all printed in the course of the 2023 calendar yr. (Jennifer Kelly reviewed for America’s Greatest Racing each Mooney’s e book on Isaac Murphy and Inventory’s e book on the Turcotte household.)
“The nominees for this yr’s Ebook Award have been a rare group,” Coyte mentioned. “We had entries from three former winners and a number of other finalists, but a few of the strongest titles have been by first-time authors.”
A panel of three literary and racing trade judges, headed by Coyte, a former editor on the Washington Put up, 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Coyte was joined by award-winning tv broadcast journalist Caton Bredar and former Boston Globe columnist Diane White of Outdated Buddies Thoroughbred Retirement.
The finalists have been acknowledged at a cocktail reception on Nov. 20, held within the loft above the historic stallion barn on the Ryan household’s Castleton Lyons, close to Lexington. As at all times, a $10,000 first prize was awarded, with $1,000 going to every of the runners-up. All three obtained 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 world businessman Dr. Tony Ryan. The aim was to showcase the most effective 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 Ebook Award, and a number of other Eclipse Award-winners for writing.
