Sacrifice

A Year in the Life of a Champion Jockey

By: Oisin Murphy

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Paperback | 28 May 2026

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Paperback

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19.6 x 12.8 x 1.7

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A gripping and searingly honest account of the turbulent life of a professional jockey and the personal cost of success in the high-stakes world of horseracing., from five-time champion Oisin Murphy.

'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

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