Horseracing writer receives special award at media ‘oscars’
A prolific author of horseracing history from Sleaford has received a special award at the Derby Awards - the racing media's 'Oscars'.
The presentation was made to Michael Tanner at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association's annual lunch held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, in recognition of his contribution to Turf Literature that encompasses 19 books and countless features for Racing Post, Sporting Life, Pacemaker, Horse & Hound and European Racehorse during a 43-year career.
In the Awards Programme author, journalist and broadcaster Brough Scott paid tribute: “Michael Tanner is a phenomenon. Once met, once read, you should not - and usually cannot - forget him.”
Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott added: “What a legacy he leaves for the students of tomorrow.”
Of his HWPA Award Mr Tanner said: “It was very generous of the HWPA to create a special category in order to recognize my contribution to Turf Literature. It's the first time in the life of the Derby Awards, that stretch back to 1927, that an historian has been honoured which, given the quality of my predecessors, leaves me feeling both humbled and privileged.”
The author, a graduate of Oxford University, arrived in Sleaford in 1981 to take up the post of Head of the Geography Department at Carre's Grammar School and soon began writing on horseracing. He left the classroom in 1987 to write full time about one of his two favourite sports - the other being rugby at which he represented Oxford University, Oxfordshire and Leicestershire before ending his playing career with a brief stint at Sleaford RFC.
In addition to his racing books he has written a further 13 books on other subjects. These range from non fiction subjects such as rugby, boxing, crime and cinema to four novels.