“YORKY” - By Shane Arden and Brian York.
THE BRIAN YORK STORY - NEW BOOK ACKNOWLEDGES THE CAREER OF ONE OF THE BEST JOCKEYS OF HIS GENERATION.
Shane Arden met many writers in his thirty six year career as a graphic designer with the Waikato Times in NZ. Friendships with two or three racing journalists led him to a casual interest in a sport he’s continued to follow since moving to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast nine years ago. Shane closely followed Brian York’s early career in NZ and continued to monitor his progress after the jockey moved to Queensland to link up with high profile trainer Bruce McLachlan.
By an amazing twist of fate about seven years ago he connected with Brian York on Facebook and that led to a face to face meeting at Caboolture where the former jockey retains a home. During the conversation Shane tested Brian’s reaction to the possibility of a book about his stellar riding career - a career which had brought him over 2000 winners including 35 Gr 1’s. The topic was discussed several times before the pair finally resolved to put the suggestion into practice. Maroochydore based “my blackbookpublishing” agreed to back the Brian York story, and it was time for Shane and Brian to get their heads together. The end result is a darn good book co-written by a former champion jockey and one of his most avid fans.
It’s an attractive hardcover presentation of 226 pages simply entitled “Yorky”. It embraces 34 chapters which entertainingly cover Brian ‘s journey from Scotland to NZ at age 10, his apprenticeship to Cliff Fenwick at Takanini and a dream run in his early years as a jockey at home. He touches on successful stints in Singapore and Hong Kong and the offer he couldn’t refuse from Queensland training icon Bruce McLachlan in the late 1980’s. The partnership would bring Brian 222 wins including some very high profile races. He won three Queensland jockeys premierships and got to ride some of Australia’s best racehorses. Then comes a revisit of his years in Sydney where he’d win another premiership and gain great support from leading stables. His memories of Might And Power will leave you spellbound.
You’ll relate to Yorky’s pain when he talks about his life changing fall at Rosehill in 2002 and the desperate effort he made to salvage his career. You’ll be moved by his reminiscences of early years in Scotland and his deep affection for his mother Agnes. There’s one touching account of a visit he made with Mum to a cemetery in Edinburgh. Brian pays tribute to Karen, his wonderful wife of 42 years. Recollections of their early years together make for great reading.
I picked up my copy of “Yorky” just recently and didn’t put it down until I’d finished. Foreword is provided by Brian’s great friend John Cornish. Some chapters were written by Shane Arden and some by Brian himself. The collaboration has produced a wonderful biographical story complemented by a huge collection of photos - some from Brian’s photo album, others supplied by well known providers of racing images. Copies of “Yorky” will soon find their way to permanent spots on the bookshelves of those thousands of racing fans who acknowledge the achievements of a champion jockey and a true gentleman of the turf.
Google “myblackbook.shop” and click the first icon. You’ll find all you need to know right there.
One of Brian's seven wins on champion Might And Power - the 1998 Chelmsford Stakes. This was the first day of Sky's new home racing service - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Shane Arden - one of Brian's greatest fans and co-author of "Yorky".