Lexington, Kentucky, November 8, 2025
Josh Pons has received the prestigious Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for his acclaimed book, ‘Letters from Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o’ War, and the Founding of Maryland’s Oldest Thoroughbred Farm.’ The award, celebrating excellence in thoroughbred racing literature, was presented by Castleton Lyons in Lexington, Kentucky, along with a $10,000 prize. Pons’s book provides a nostalgic glimpse into the Golden Age of racing through historical correspondence. Other finalists included Arthur B. Hancock III and John Perrotta, each recognized for their exceptional contributions to the genre.
Lexington, Kentucky
Josh Pons Receives 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award
Josh Pons has been awarded the 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for his book, “Letters from Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o’ War, and the Founding of Maryland’s Oldest Thoroughbred Farm.” The award, granted by the Ryan family’s Castleton Lyons, celebrates exceptional thoroughbred racing literature published in 2024. Pons accepted a $10,000 prize at a ceremony held at Castleton Lyons in Lexington, Kentucky.
About the Award
Founded in 2006, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award honors outstanding works within the genre of thoroughbred racing literature. This award is inclusive of various genres such as fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, handicapping, breeding, training, and photography. In addition to the $10,000 prize for the winner, finalists receive $1,000 each along with a trophy.
About the Book
“Letters from Country Life” provides a detailed look back at the Golden Age of racing through a series of letters sent to Pons’s grandfather, Adolphe Pons. In the early 1900s, Adolphe Pons was the private secretary to Racing Hall of Fame breeder August Belmont and was instrumental in the breeding and sale of the famous racehorse, Man o’ War.
Finalists for the Award
Alongside Pons, two other authors were recognized as finalists for the 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award:
- Arthur B. Hancock III for his autobiography, “Dark Horses: A Memoir of Redemption”
- John Perrotta for his international mystery thriller, “A Beggar’s Ride”
Background on the Award
The Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award was established to recognize literary excellence in writing about thoroughbreds. Named after Dr. Tony Ryan, a significant figure in the thoroughbred industry, the award is presented annually by Castleton Lyons, which is the thoroughbred operation owned by the Ryan family.
FAQ
- What is the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award?
- The Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award is an annual award presented by Castleton Lyons to honor excellence in thoroughbred racing literature published in the previous year. The winning author receives a $10,000 prize and a trophy, while finalists are awarded $1,000 each and a trophy.
- Who is Josh Pons?
- Josh Pons is a noted racing journalist and horseman who authored “Letters from Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o’ War, and the Founding of Maryland’s Oldest Thoroughbred Farm.” He was awarded the 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for this work.
- What is the significance of “Letters from Country Life”?
- “Letters from Country Life” provides a retrospective of the Golden Age of racing through a collection of correspondence to Pons’s grandfather, Adolphe Pons, who played a pivotal role in the breeding and sale of Man o’ War.
- Who were the other finalists for the 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award?
- The other finalists were Arthur B. Hancock III for his autobiography, “Dark Horses: A Memoir of Redemption,” and John Perrotta for his international mystery thriller, “A Beggar’s Ride.”
- When was the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award established?
- The Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award was established in 2006 to celebrate literary excellence in writing about thoroughbreds.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Name | Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award |
| Year Established | 2006 |
| Presented By | Castleton Lyons |
| Purpose | To honor excellence in thoroughbred racing literature published in the previous year |
| Prize for Winner | $10,000 and a trophy |
| Prize for Finalists | $1,000 each and a trophy |
| 2024 Winner | Josh Pons for “Letters from Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o’ War, and the Founding of Maryland’s Oldest Thoroughbred Farm” |
| Other Finalists | Arthur B. Hancock III for “Dark Horses: A Memoir of Redemption” and John Perrotta for “A Beggar’s Ride” |
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