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Sacrifice: A Year in the Life of a Champion Jockey
'A GRIPPING AND INCREDIBLY HONEST INSIGHT INTO OUR SPORT, FROM ONE OF RACING’S MOST EXCITING TALENTS' FRANKIE DETTORI
‘AN ASTONISHINGLY HONEST ACCOUNT OF WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING A PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY.' DAILY TELEGRAPH
THE THRILLING AND SEARINGLY HONEST MEMOIR FROM FIVE-TIME CHAMPION JOCKEY OISIN MURPHY.
Born prematurely, weighing less than a bag of sugar, Oisin Murphy’s life has always been one of struggle.
From a young age he found communion with horses. Mesmerised by their power, their spirit, he discovered a gift for the saddle. Oisin quickly established himself as one of horseracing’s most prodigious talents.
But reaching the pinnacle of the sport has required a high-wire dance that continues to push his body and mind to their breaking point. Despite four champion jockey crowns, alcohol addiction lurked beneath the surface, and a string of misdemeanours have overshadowed his racing.
Fast paced and searingly honest, Sacrifice lays bare Oisin’s personal struggles and immerses readers in the daily life of a jockey throughout an entire season.
From the countless unseen hours of horse work to the psychological turmoil of racing, the private agony of wasting, and the vital community of the weighing room, it pulls back the curtain and examines the fine line between elite performance and personal destruction in a sport that demands nothing less than total obsession.
Part-autobiography, part-diary written in real-time, this incredible and immersive memoir charts Oisin Murphy's year in the saddle, laying bare the pressures of life at the pinnacle of horse-racing.
'ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ALL YEAR. UTTERLY COMPELLING.' BRENDAN O'CONNOR
‘AN ASTONISHINGLY HONEST ACCOUNT OF WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING A PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY.' DAILY TELEGRAPH
THE THRILLING AND SEARINGLY HONEST MEMOIR FROM FIVE-TIME CHAMPION JOCKEY OISIN MURPHY.
Born prematurely, weighing less than a bag of sugar, Oisin Murphy’s life has always been one of struggle.
From a young age he found communion with horses. Mesmerised by their power, their spirit, he discovered a gift for the saddle. Oisin quickly established himself as one of horseracing’s most prodigious talents.
But reaching the pinnacle of the sport has required a high-wire dance that continues to push his body and mind to their breaking point. Despite four champion jockey crowns, alcohol addiction lurked beneath the surface, and a string of misdemeanours have overshadowed his racing.
Fast paced and searingly honest, Sacrifice lays bare Oisin’s personal struggles and immerses readers in the daily life of a jockey throughout an entire season.
From the countless unseen hours of horse work to the psychological turmoil of racing, the private agony of wasting, and the vital community of the weighing room, it pulls back the curtain and examines the fine line between elite performance and personal destruction in a sport that demands nothing less than total obsession.
Part-autobiography, part-diary written in real-time, this incredible and immersive memoir charts Oisin Murphy's year in the saddle, laying bare the pressures of life at the pinnacle of horse-racing.
'ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ALL YEAR. UTTERLY COMPELLING.' BRENDAN O'CONNOR
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
18 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 3, 2026
“I often wonder what people think of me while I’m chatting to them… In public I will always give off the air of being confident and in good humour… But there are days when being that character is a confection baked for the cameras.”
This is a brutally raw self reflection from an elite sportsman who is still competing at the very top level of his sport.
The parts of his dissection of his personal struggles are the strongest, and at times both moving and painful.
I listened on Audible and his reading the book himself makes that even more so.
Only quibble is that some of the racing analysis might lose people not familiar with the sport, and some repetition of phrasing like in my opinion could have benefitted from tighter editing.
Not a spoiler as such, it’s an autobiography of a public figure, but the fact of his success continuing into 2025, after the books conclusion that suggested it would be different shows that his complex struggle to get the balance between personal wellbeing and professional acclaim continue.
This is a brutally raw self reflection from an elite sportsman who is still competing at the very top level of his sport.
The parts of his dissection of his personal struggles are the strongest, and at times both moving and painful.
I listened on Audible and his reading the book himself makes that even more so.
Only quibble is that some of the racing analysis might lose people not familiar with the sport, and some repetition of phrasing like in my opinion could have benefitted from tighter editing.
Not a spoiler as such, it’s an autobiography of a public figure, but the fact of his success continuing into 2025, after the books conclusion that suggested it would be different shows that his complex struggle to get the balance between personal wellbeing and professional acclaim continue.
January 13, 2026
I know nothing about horse racing but fancied something different. I can say I wasn’t disappointed. Despite not having any knowledge on the subject, I found it interesting and informative and really liked Oisin’s honesty. He spoke from the heart about professional and personal matters and I appreciated that aspect
Would recommend highly.
Would recommend highly.
November 4, 2025
Audiobook review- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must read/listen for a racing fans. It’s a real eye opening account of what jockeys put themselves through day after day. Oisin is very open about his mental health and addiction struggles and these conversations are so important
A must read/listen for a racing fans. It’s a real eye opening account of what jockeys put themselves through day after day. Oisin is very open about his mental health and addiction struggles and these conversations are so important
November 22, 2025
Fascinating behind the scenes look at what it takes to be a champion jockey, the sacrifices , the obsession , the work ethic , the wasting , incredible what these elite sportsmen put themselves through to achieve things.Very honestly written book , really enjoyed it, highly recommended.
December 4, 2025
Felt like a diary in a good way
January 12, 2026
Great behind the scenes look at the commitment and dedication that goes into sporting success at this level. Murphy is a likeable character and his honesty about his struggles does him credit.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews