'The Racetracks of America' Wins Tony Ryan Book Award

"The Racetracks of America: From the Pre-Civil War Days to the 21st Century," a 440-page history of Thoroughbred racing venues nationwide, won the 20th Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award Nov. 4 during an evening ceremony in Lexington. Brien Bouyea of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Roda Ferraro of Keeneland Library accepted the award, which includes a $10,000 first prize and a Tipperary crystal trophy, during a reception at Castleton Lyons' stallion barn. Presented by the Ryan family, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award recognizes excellence in Thoroughbred racing literature. The award-winning book contains more than 70 essays and 600 photographs, paintings, programs, officials' badges, and memorabilia. Numerous BloodHorse writers contributed as authors in detailing the rich history of Thoroughbred racing's most iconic venues. The book's writers include Michael Blowen, Brien Bouyea, Edward L. Bowen, Caton Bredar, Andrew Champagne, Bill Christine, Sean Clancy, Don Clippinger, Steven Crist, Mary Eddy, Bob Ehalt, Roda Ferraro, Tracy Gantz, Teresa Genaro, David Grening, Bill Heller, Jay Hovdey, Dick Jerardi, Jennifer Kelly, Byron King, Jody Lamp, Ed McNamara, Jim Melia, Joe Nevills, Dorothy Ours, Josh Pons, Jay Privman, Nicole Russo, Mark Shrager, Lynne Snierson, Michael Veitch, Natalie Voss, Gary West, Jon White, and Kim Wickens. The other finalists for the Dr. Tony Ryan Award were "Death of a Racehorse: An American Story," by Katie Bo Lillis, and "Reinventing the American Thoroughbred: The Arabian Adventures of Alexander Keene Richards," by Gary O'Dell.