Sacrifice : A Year in the Life of a Champion Jockey (Paperback)

<p> Born prematurely--weighing less than a bag of sugar--Oisín Murphy's life has always been one of struggle. From a young age, he found communion with horses. Mesmerized by their power and spirit, he discovered a natural gift for the saddle. </p><p> Oisín quickly established himself as one of horse racing's most prodigious talents. But reaching the pinnacle of the sport required a high-wire act that pushed his body and mind to their limits. Despite winning three consecutive champion jockey titles, alcohol addiction lurked beneath the surface, and a string of misdemeanors eventually led to a year-long ban. </p><p> "I dealt with success and failure the same. Drink was the rock I perished on. The day I picked up the championship trophy, there was no element of joy in it for me." </p><p> Fast-paced and searingly honest, <i>Sacrifice</i> follows Oisín's extraordinary journey back from the brink to rediscover his love for the sport and reclaim his champion jockey crown in 2024. It lays bare the realities of life as a professional jockey--and the personal cost of success in a sport that demands total obsession. </p>

Born prematurely—weighing less than a bag of sugar—Oisín Murphy’s life has always been one of struggle. From a young age, he found communion with horses. Mesmerized by their power and spirit, he discovered a natural gift for the saddle.

Oisín quickly established himself as one of horse racing’s most prodigious talents. But reaching the pinnacle of the sport required a high-wire act that pushed his body and mind to their limits. Despite winning three consecutive champion jockey titles, alcohol addiction lurked beneath the surface, and a string of misdemeanors eventually led to a year-long ban.

“I dealt with success and failure the same. Drink was the rock I perished on. The day I picked up the championship trophy, there was no element of joy in it for me.”

Fast-paced and searingly honest, Sacrifice follows Oisín’s extraordinary journey back from the brink to rediscover his love for the sport and reclaim his champion jockey crown in 2024. It lays bare the realities of life as a professional jockey—and the personal cost of success in a sport that demands total obsession.