Reviews

Gai Waterhouse is an Australian horse-racing trailblazer, widely regarded as the most successful female trainer in the world. Gai's diary of her life on and off the track since a catastrophic outbreak of equine influenza threatened racing in Australia three years ago is, in many ways, an autobiography of a high achiever named as a 'National Living Treasure' by the National Trust. Her stories from the stables and early mornings at the track and afternoons at the races provide inside information about her horses. Her reports about her jockeys, stable staff and owners, combined with tales of her family, friends, travels, and likes and dislikes, make compelling reading. Gai does not hold back - often praising, occasionally criticising - premier jockey Nash Rawiller, promising apprentice riders Daniel Ganderton and Blake Spriggs, and thoroughbred racing administrators. She talks of the horses who have provided Group 1 glory. She tells of the good times with family and friends at home and abroad. Her stages include: racetracks from Randwick to Flemington to Ascot (England) to Aqueduct (New York) to St Moritz (Switzerland); studs from the Hunter Valley (NSW) to Makybe (near Geelong, Victoria) to Ireland; horse sales from the Gold Coast to Melbourne to Karaka (Auckland, New Zealand); theatres and restaurants around the world; and holiday destinations from beach resorts in Italy and ski slopes at Aspen, Colorado. -- Waterhouse and Howell