LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2014) — The Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award was presented Wednesday night to David Owen, author of “Foinavon: The Story of the Grand National’s Biggest Upset.”
The $10,000 award recognizes the best racing-related books published in a given year. It was created by the late Dr. Tony Ryan, who had a vision for supporting those who promote Thoroughbreds through literature. He partnered with Thoroughbred Times to promote and coordinate what would be the inaugural Castleton Lyons-Thoroughbred Times Book Award in 2007.
A retired sports editor for Financial Times, Owen witnessed this greatest of Grand National upsets on black-and-white television in 1967, when he was 7 years old.
His book recalls the tale of the ultimate underdog.
Dr. Tony Ryan’s son, Shane Ryan, presented the award.
The other 2013 finalists were Dorothy Ours, author of “Battleship: A Daring Heiress, A Teenage Jockey, and America’s Horse” and Shelley Lee Riley, author of “Casual Lies: A Triple Crown Adventure.”
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