Harry - The Ride of My Life

Book excerpt: He may 'smoke like a chimney, drink like a fish and eat like a sparrow' but Noel Harris rides like a true champion. And he has outlasted many of his competitors, still leading them home in his late fifties after having notched up over 2000 wins. Along the way he has gained the loyalty of owners and trainers, the respect of fellow jockeys and the admiration of race-goers. He has also had a few beers, a bit of fun and lots of laughs, enjoying life and loving racing. Colourful - including green hair on occasions - and sometimes outlandish, Noel has stood out for his singular riding style, his optimism, commitment, sense of humour and straight-shooting sincerity. Racing is a game of wins and losses, highs and lows, and in this book, Noel takes us on the rollercoaster, from growing up in a racing family and apprenticeship days in a wild and scary Singapore, the rides and races of the NZ and Australian racing calendars, and the trials, tribulations and triumphs of staying at the top. Noel gives us the goods on the horses, owners, trainers, jockeys, races and officials, friends and family - the emotions, experiences, anecdotes and accolades of a long and successful career.