Sacrifice - Oisin Murphy

^{Format: Hardback (221 Pages).} 

^{Author: Oisin Murphy.}  

^{Publisher: Transworld Digital}

^{Publication Date: October 2025.}

^{ISBN - 139780857587}

 ^{Reviewed: January 2026.} 

"A Year in the Life of a Champion Jockey"

"A GRIPPING AND SEARINGLY HONEST ACCOUNT OF A YEAR IN THE TURBULENT LIFE OF A PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY, FROM FOUR-TIME CHAMPION OISIN MURPHY."

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 lurks beneath the surface, and a string of misdemeanours has 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.

We found this a decent read, but nowhere near as compelling as we had hoped, and an interesting and insightful read for horse racing fans, nevertheless.

Racecourse Advisor Overall Rating: 7/10.