Great Australian Racing Stories

Jim Haynes

Dec 2012 · Bolinda · Narrated by Jim Haynes, Hugh Wade, and Anna Steen

Audiobook

2 hr 25 min

Unabridged

Eligible

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About this audiobook

The stories and verses in this collection are not just anecdotes, racing history pieces or rehashed feature articles from sports journalists; first and foremost they are good literature. The common thread running through the wonderful Australian short stories featured in this volume is the real Aussie character and passion for life that racing seems to bring out in our culture. There are tales of childhood dreams, great achievements, victory in adversity and also tales of tragedy and heartbreak. There are stories of crazy schemes and hilarious events that could only happen on an Australian racetrack. There are colourful, larger-than-life characters immediately recognisable to us all. There is also a fine collection of stirring ballads, hilarious verses and poignant and moving poetry. Racing is the sport of kings and deadbeats. No Australian activity better reflects our national character and its weaknesses and strengths. This volume captures all the colour and passion, tragedy and emotion that thoroughbred racing brings to the lives of the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, punters, battlers and dreamers who live with horses every day, or just love a bet on the Melbourne Cup.

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About the author

Jim Haynes is the bestselling author of more than 30 books as well as an entertainer, historian, songwriter and verse-writer. His wildly popular books include Great Australian Rascals, Rogues and Ratbags; Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia; Great Australian Scams, Cons and Rorts and The Big Book of Australian Yarns among many others. He currently presents three Australian history segments a week on Sydney Radio Station 2GB. Haynes was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2016 'for service to the performing arts as an entertainer, author, broadcaster and historian'. His most recent book is Great Australian Odysseys (2025).

Hugh Wade is an accomplished voiceover artist and narrator. His TV Credits include A Country Practice and Home and Away, and he is the voice of Tourism NSW.

Anna Steen is a Theatre graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Anna has worked with various theatre companies across Australia, working nationally and internationally. Anna works as a regular voice over artist and has performed in a number of radio dramas and poeticas for Radio National. She has both produced and narrated over 20 novels and anthologies for Audio Books.

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