The Fall and Rise of Bev Buckingham
By Murray Mottram &
Bev Buckingham

By Helen Moreland

Bev Buckingham has released a book about her recovery from both a broken back and a broken heart four years after a horrific fall. Co-written with respected journalist Murray Mottram, "Beating the Odds" tells Bev's remarkable life story.

Even before her tragic accident, Bev Buckingham had a reputation as one of racing's toughest. As the first woman in the world to win a jockeys premiership, and incredibly the only woman to have ridden in a Caulfield Cup, she had to have developed some mettle along the way.

Bev had migrated from England as a small child with her parents who originally settled in Perth before moving to Tasmania. Father Ted Buckingham joined the horse world as an adult, achieving tremendous success as a late starter, another fascinating aspect of this tale.

By the late 1990's Bev Buckingham was Australia's most successful female jockey. Largely due to a remarkable partnership with her father and support from her mother, Bev had become Tasmania's leading rider and the darling of the racing fraternity. On top of this she was madly in love and happily married.

Tragedy struck at Elwick racecourse in May 1998 when a dramatic fall left Bev with a broken neck. After months of hard work and anguish, and with her family constantly by her side, Bev defied the odds and walked again.

Further tragedy was to follow for Bev before triumph with the birth of her daughter Tara and her relocation with her family for a second attempt in Victorian racing – this time as a trainer.

This frank account of Bev's life, particularly regarding her injuries and recuperation following her accident will appeal to a broad range of readers, from anyone wanting to read a human interest story, to racing enthusiasts.

"Beating the Odds" tells her story of triumph and tragedy on and off the racetrack, and of how she overcame not
only a broken neck but a broken heart. It is the inspiring true story of one woman's fierce determination and remarkable recovery and the importance of family.