3 minute read
Tabcorp Park Menangle is proud to host the launch of The Joe Ilsley Story – Trotting’s Mr ‘Nice Guy’ written by Peter Collier on Saturday night.
Collier has worked on the book for a number of years and has been increasingly busy over the past twelve months collating different stories and photographs.
Collier was only a young boy when he met Joe Ilsley for the first time and spent a lot of time with him and his family before Joe’s passing in 2007 at the age of 83.
“I spoke with the family last year and asked them if they had any information for the book and I was amazed at all of the stuff they provided me with,” Collier said.
“I’m a bit fussy and there was a lot of information that had to be researched into Joe’s family so that took me a while but I am very proud of the finished product.”
The feature race at Menangle on Saturday night is the Joe and Michael Ilsley Free For All and the official launch will take place after the race presentation.
“I spent a lot of time just talking and listening to Joe, if I had made a time and told him what I was doing he wouldn’t have said much but he was just a great talker and I could listen to his stories for hours at a time.
“I would go to Morriset and we would just chat, it really has been a labour of love putting this book together.”
The book will be available for purchase at the Information Office at Menangle and will also be for sale on eBay.
“People will be able to get a copy of the book on Saturday night at Menangle and it will go up for sale on eBay on Sunday. I will be having a chat with Garrards Horse & Hound to see if I can get the book into a few of their stores in Queensland and Newcastle as well because I think there would be a number of people in those areas interested in getting their hands on a copy.”
