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A Long Way from Wyandra: My story - from the bush to Black Caviar
The classic story of a boy from the bush who worked his way from outback Queensland all the way to Royal Ascot.
As a kid growing up in tiny Wyandra, Peter Moody learned to ride almost before he could walk. Horses were part of life, and as a teenager working for local trainers he learned many lessons - some painful - as he built his understanding of them. A mate's introduction got him a stablehand's job for legendary trainer Tommy Smith in Sydney, and his life changed forever.
His journey saw him learn from some of the greatest minds in racing, as he plied his trade in Sydney, Brisbane and finally Melbourne, establishing his own highly successful stable, Moody Racing. One of the biggest innovators and risk-takers in this country's turf history, Moody won four premierships in Melbourne, the Mecca of Australian racing. But to the wider public he's known as the man who gave us the phenomenal Black Caviar. His account of her career is unique. He was, quite simply, the man who knew her best.
From outback childhood, to strapper, foreman and then on to premiership-winning trainer and the guiding force behind the most famous horse of recent times, and finally to a clash with officaldom that prompted him to retire in the deepest frustration, Peter's autobiography gives a hugely entertaining, fascinating and authentic insight into one of the largest characters in Australian sport. While much has been written about Moody's career and legacy, it was a fellow trainer, Caulfield Cup-winner Jim Mason, who perhaps said it best: 'He's like a champion horse. Occasionally something comes along that's just better than everything else. That's Pete.'
As a kid growing up in tiny Wyandra, Peter Moody learned to ride almost before he could walk. Horses were part of life, and as a teenager working for local trainers he learned many lessons - some painful - as he built his understanding of them. A mate's introduction got him a stablehand's job for legendary trainer Tommy Smith in Sydney, and his life changed forever.
His journey saw him learn from some of the greatest minds in racing, as he plied his trade in Sydney, Brisbane and finally Melbourne, establishing his own highly successful stable, Moody Racing. One of the biggest innovators and risk-takers in this country's turf history, Moody won four premierships in Melbourne, the Mecca of Australian racing. But to the wider public he's known as the man who gave us the phenomenal Black Caviar. His account of her career is unique. He was, quite simply, the man who knew her best.
From outback childhood, to strapper, foreman and then on to premiership-winning trainer and the guiding force behind the most famous horse of recent times, and finally to a clash with officaldom that prompted him to retire in the deepest frustration, Peter's autobiography gives a hugely entertaining, fascinating and authentic insight into one of the largest characters in Australian sport. While much has been written about Moody's career and legacy, it was a fellow trainer, Caulfield Cup-winner Jim Mason, who perhaps said it best: 'He's like a champion horse. Occasionally something comes along that's just better than everything else. That's Pete.'
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 8, 2021
Full of horses and horse racing - what else would you expect? It's about horse trainer Peter Moody, written with ghost writer Trevor Marshallsea. Moody has had an interesting life, coming from the bush as a teen to begin working with Tommy Smith, a Sydney trainer of some renown, where he learns his trade. He then goes on to eventually train on of the most famous of Australian horses, Black Caviar, who won all 25 of her starts.
Moody was always outspoken, and had one of the biggest training businesses at Caulfield. He tells of his treatment at the hands of over-zealous stewards, and his subsequent six month suspension for unintentionally administering a prohibited substance.
I was not blown away by this autobiography; whilst I was interested, it was not compelling to read.
I would, however, recommend this to anyone with an interest in horse racing in Australia.
Moody was always outspoken, and had one of the biggest training businesses at Caulfield. He tells of his treatment at the hands of over-zealous stewards, and his subsequent six month suspension for unintentionally administering a prohibited substance.
I was not blown away by this autobiography; whilst I was interested, it was not compelling to read.
I would, however, recommend this to anyone with an interest in horse racing in Australia.
May 8, 2018
Such an interesting story - I never really knew the story of Peter Moody and a bit emotional because of what happened to him. I just can't understand why all this happened to him and ended such a brilliant career.
September 6, 2021
Couldn’t put it down
This book should be made into a movie. It is the quintessential ‘ Australian’ story. Boy from bush makes good, travels the world and battles systemic corruption of power. A great read and thoroughly enjoyable on many levels. Good on ya Peter.
This book should be made into a movie. It is the quintessential ‘ Australian’ story. Boy from bush makes good, travels the world and battles systemic corruption of power. A great read and thoroughly enjoyable on many levels. Good on ya Peter.
June 21, 2018
Great story about a great trainer, with a small incite into how he quit/ was pushed out of racing.
November 18, 2018
I was curious when I purchased this book to learn the 'secret' behind the winning mare, Black Caviar. This was the biography of the journey of trainer, Peter Moody from childhood to life after training. Unfortunately, we didn't really get to know and understand any training specifics, be it with Black Caviar or any of the other horse's Peter had in his stables. This book was more about the placings of his horse's in events, rather than the training methods that got the horse to place second or first. That was disappointing but the final chapters of the book, were very interesting and really quite disturbing how the racing industry governing body handles non-compliance issues. I can now vaguely recall the suspensions of Freedman and Kavanagh making news headlines in 2015-16, but don't recall any ill towards Peter Moody and the brilliant horse, Black Caviar. I am sure it was there as Peter explains in detail, but with time, as I hope bitterness has healed with Peter, Moody racing is forever intertwined with the publics warm memories with the amazing mare, Black Caviar, as we all watched in awe. Peter is now on a new journey and I hope the pressures of his life have eased to a point where he can look forward and back, and be happy and content.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews