Peach captures the remarkable life of Lillian Jenkinson Holder (1909–92), a trailblazing woman jockey. With more than 10,000 rides and more than 3,000 wins, Holder’s remarkable skills made her legendary in the rugged bush track racing circuit. Drawing from interviews with Holder’s surviving relatives and fellow jockeys who competed against her, Peach provides insight into Holder’s life. He captures her spirit as a fearless and determined rider who was unafraid to stand up to her counterparts, who were men. Her persistent efforts to challenge the status quo, compete at elite pari-mutuel racetracks, and endure repeated failures of these attempts, all highlight the systemic hurdles women riders faced. In a similar vein to Mark Shrager’s Diane Crump: A Horse-Racing Pioneer’s Life in the Saddle, Peach’s book exposes the absurd excuses and obstacles that the world of horse racing conjured to keep women out of the spotlight. An amazing story of a woman jockey’s unwavering passion and talent, coupled with a refusal to be limited by societal constraints. Will appeal to readers interested in horse racing, women’s history, and stories of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Before female jockeys like Julie Krone and Diane Crump, there were unheralded pioneers like Nebraska native Lillian Jenkinson Holder, who helped break down gender and age barriers in the sport. Jockey Queen chronicles Holder's extraordinary passion for horses, from her first pony to one of her last rides that ended in a horrifying crash when the horse had a heart attack. Longevity is an understatement when it comes to her career, lasting from 1924 to 1971, and a resume that included more than 10,000 races with 3,000 wins—all while being denied the opportunity to ride in major races due to her gender. Holder may be the subject of this memoir, but the book's scope actually encompasses a broader story about the close-knit Jenkinson farming family and the growth of their horse racing business, financial struggles, and a tightly knit, formidable team that bolstered Lillian whether at home, the stable, county fairs, or the bush circuit. This book is a welcome contribution to U.S. horse racing and women’s sports history. Includes chronology, photos, correspondence, and index.

Jockey Queen tells the story of Lillian Jenkinson Holder, a tireless champion of women’s rights and opportunities. Her fearless leadership paved the way for other women to follow her and know everything is possible. I’m grateful to her and a fan!

You do not have to be a die-hard horse racing fan to love the pure grit of jockey Lillian Jenkinson. She is one tough cookie. Author Roger Peach paints a realistic portrayal of this “King”-size jockey. Peach sets you right in the saddle for a great literary ride with Lillian Jenkinson and her family in their hard-fought wins and losses. Jockey Queen is a must read.

In Jockey Queen: Lillian Jenkinson Holder, Horse Racing’s Fearless Lady, Roger Peach’s vivid writing takes you into every facet of the complicated world of a woman decades ahead of her time. He makes you feel the adrenaline pumping sensation of a 1,000-pound horse hurtling down the backstretch. You can smell the musty barns that jockeys and trainers called home during the county fair racing season. And, he opens the door to family drama and the frustration of being cast as an outsider because of your gender. The read is as gripping as Jenkinson’s grasp on the reins.

Jockey Queen is an absolute must read. From the time I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. The story of Lillian’s fight to ride is gripping whether you’re a fan of horse racing or not. She deserves a hero’s place in American racing.

The amount of research which has gone into the writing of Jockey Queen is breathtaking. Through his account of the career of Lillian Jenkinson Holder, Roger Peach takes the reader on a racing journey marked not by million-dollar purses and glamour venues but by Ferris wheels and half-mile bullrings. By documenting the barriers in the Thoroughbred industry which prevented Lillian from becoming a rider at the parimutuel level, Peach reveals how grassroots racing became the backdrop for the grit and determination which carried her to thousands of victories. No one has told Lillian's story until now, and few books have ever recognized the contribution of the American fair circuit to racing's history. Peach is owed a debt of gratitude on both counts.

The first-ever biography of trailblazing horse racer Lillian Jenkinson Holder, who broke the unwritten rule that women could not be jockeys.