Waterhouse and Smith: The Power of Two Racing Dynasties

Description

An update to the extraordinary story of this powerful family and their exploits. Never far from controversy, Gai Waterhouse was again in the headlines after her front-page falling out with "Singo" and now her son, Tom Waterhouse, who has inadvertently become the face of online-gambling and has attracted his own notoriety at Channel 9 with his on-air commentary on NRL, this new edition covers all the new details. Waterhouse and Smith, the major biography by leading racing writer, John Ellicott, updates the adventures and misadventures and the intriguing histories of Australia's two great racing dynasties - the betting plunges, the runs of winners, the battles with authorities, the family rifts and the larger-than-life identities in both families, their extensive networks and relationships (both professional and personal); and their place and legacy in Australia's cultural/sporting annals The Waterhouses rose to incredible power and notoriety in the country's racing landscape before the infamous Fine Cotton ring-in. It would be a long fight to regain not only their bookmaking licences but also their reputations. From dirt-poor origins, TJ Smith became the world's leading trainer. In his heyday, he prepared more Group One race winners than either Bart Cummings or Colin Hayes. Following in her father's footsteps, Gai rose through the male-dominated ranks of racing, overcoming all the odds. From eyewitness accounts of those who were there - the jockeys, owners, bookies, friends, enemies, racing experts, officials and lawyers - John Ellicott draws an eloquent portrayal of these two legendary families and how they came together. Lively, entertaining, rich in anecdote and written in a style to appeal to broad demographic, Waterhouse and Smith is the only major, in-depth study of these two extraordinary dynasties.

John Ellicott is a sports journalist who has contributed to the major Australian newspapers. He has written three books, A year on the punt, Waterhouse & Smith and Uncommon Heroes of Rugby League.