Coming from an Aboriginal family involved in racing, John Maynard has always know there have been more Aboriginal jockeys contributing to Australian racing than is generally known. In Aborigines and the Sport of Kings he combines his skills as a researcher and historian with his deep knowledge of Australian racing. In this revised edition he celebrates the significant and exciting Aboriginal involvement in Australian racing history. For Aboriginal pastoral workers to move from being the backbone of the pastoral industry to being superb jockeys was an obvious step. Amongst the many Aboriginal jockeys highlighted in the book are 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. Published formerly as Aboriginal stars of the turf.
Professor John Maynard is one of the most prolific and respected voices writing about Aboriginal history. He has won awards, is in demand as a speaker and as an advisor for television programs. He is Professor of Aboriginal Studies, Newcastle University, and currently an ARC research fellow. His most recent publication is The Aboriginal soccer tribe (Magabala) while his previous publications with Aboriginal Studies Press include popular Fight for liberty and freedom and he was also a contributor to Uncommon ground.
Some of the stories are splendid. And every time a horse was ridden by M Maynard, my Dad would back it. We never knew that he was an Aboriginal jockey. Or perhaps he did and Dad being a fierce nationalist most probably felt he should support him. Alan Jones, first edition of Stars of the Turf
At the heart of this study was a passion and desire to play some small part in the process of revealing another important missing chapter of Australian Aboriginal history
[O]ur stories recognis[e] that over the past two hundred years the historical tapestry of this country was one in which both black and white were deeply interwoven. Preface
