Andrew Lemon wins Bill Whittaker Book Award with Sale O Sale O: The Auctioneer’s Tale

Andrew Lemon has claimed the 2024-2025 Bill Whittaker Book Award for his book Sale O Sale O: The Auctioneer’s Tale, published by William Inglis and Son Ltd.

Sale O Sale O: The Auctioneer’s Tale traces the history of the renowned Australian bloodstock auctioneers William Inglis & Son in a professionally produced 216-page hardcover.

Judges described the book as “splendidly written and illustrated”, adding: “Splendidly written and profusely illustrated with many rare and unseen family photographs, it’s a book long-awaited by racing folk and hard to put down once you commence reading.”

They also praised it as “A most excellent record of the history of this iconic Australian company, Sale O Sale O is the perfect example of Andrew Lemon’s thoroughness, detail and sense of subject.”

Lemon is a respected historian and prolific author whose horse racing publications are widely regarded for their depth and storytelling. His best-known work is the three-volume The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing, a landmark series documenting the sport’s development in Australia.

He is also a familiar voice across television, podcasts and radio, where he is regularly called upon for his extensive knowledge of Australian racing history.

The runner-up award went to They Once Raced Here; The Lost Racecourses of Victoria, Vol III by C. A. Ganly.

The Bill Whittaker Book Award is presented every two years to recognise the best new book on Australian thoroughbred horse racing that enhances the understanding of the sport’s history.

A total of 23 horse racing books were published across Australia and New Zealand during 2024 and 2025, with judging based on the quality of the writing and overall production.

Bill Whittaker (1929–2009) was one of Australia’s most respected racing journalists and historians. Beginning his career covering harness racing, he worked for The Newsletter and later The Daily Telegraph before joining The Sydney Morning Herald in 1959.

Although he initially covered both harness and thoroughbred racing, his focus eventually shifted entirely to the gallopers, chronicling many of Australia’s greatest racehorses throughout a distinguished career.

A passionate racing historian, Whittaker wrote extensively about champions such as Bernborough, Tulloch and Kingston Town, with Tulloch regarded by him as the finest of them all. He also became one of Australia’s foremost authorities on Phar Lap.

Known for his generosity and willingness to mentor young writers and racing enthusiasts, Whittaker left a lasting legacy on Australian racing journalism.

Previous winners of the Bill Whittaker Book Award include:

2008-2009 – Keith Paterson for The Master’s Touch. Runner-up: Graeme Putt and Pat McCord for Phar Lap: The Untold Story.

2010-2011 – Jessica Owers for Peter Pan.

2012-2013 – John Adams for Over the Hurdles (joint winner with Jessica Owers for Shannon).

2014-2015 – Bob Charley for Heroes & Champions. Runner-up: Peter Harris for Mosstrooper.

2016-2017 – Ken Linnett for Tulloch.

2018-2019 – John Payne for Their Last Ride.

2020-2021 – Bob Charley for Pioneers & Racecourses. Runner-up: William Rutledge for A Passion for Thoroughbreds.

2022-2023 – Rod and Rob Nicholson for Heroes of the Heath. Runner-up: Wayne Peake for Sydney Racing in the 1970s.