Description
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.
Paperback
Publication: 28 May 2026, Penguin
ISBN: 9781804996966
Extent: 240 pages
