As the racing writer for the Lexington Herald- Leader, I have won three Eclipse Awards in thoroughbred racing, three Hervey Awards in harness racing, and I have had a lifetime of working with horses, on the track and in the show ring. But most of all, I simply enjoy horses. The opportunity to write about them has been a true gift.
Alicia Wincze is a general assignment sportswriter, covering everything from the Kentucky Derby to girls' soccer. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
More about Maryjean
A small part of my youth was spent peering over the paddock fence at Woodbine Race Course near Toronto, wishing I could join the jockeys, trainers, and horse owners on the other side. The odds were long: at that time, few women worked in thoroughbred racing. Women were not permitted to become jockeys. And I had no connections in the sport.
I came to Kentucky to realize my dream and fell in love with this state. Eventually, I got the job as racing writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader.
I have reported on every Kentucky Derby since 1973 for this newspaper. I have freelanced horse stories for a variety of magazines, including Sports Illustrated. I have written about some truly great horses, among them Secretariat (pictured, in a photo by E. Martin Jessee), Forego, John Henry, Northern Dancer, and Spectacular Bid.
I have won three Eclipse Awards in thoroughbred racing, three Hervey Awards in harness racing, and I have had a lifetime of working with horses, on the track and in the show ring. But most of all, I simply enjoy horses. The opportunity to write about them has been a true gift.
Patricia Wonderley said
Dear Ms. Wall: Thank you for the updates on Teuflesberg and Dream of Angels. I was at Keeneland yesterday and had a table on the 2nd floor and saw Dream of Angels after he had gone down. I cried–I felt implicated in his tragedy by watching him-he tried to get up and could not. What a lovely lovely horse and no one there to comfort the owner. How is Teuflesberg now? I cannot find anything written about his condition anywhere except the Bloodhorse site, which I assume was taken from your write up. He is one of my favorite horses! I cannot believe he was injured . . . on the same track where he broke his maiden. Thank you, Trish Wonderley, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Carolyn Sanders said
Please keep updating Teuflesberg’s condition. This accident is one that every trainer and thoroughbred faces every day of training. A lot of the good ones never see their first stake race.
Most people don’t know what this horse and trainer, Jamie Sanders, have accomplished. Widely known as the “Iron Horse” because of his stamina, his racing against horses bought for millions infuriated seasoned trainers & owners and make a name for himself in record books. Jamie made history also as only a handful of other female trainers have done by having him in the Ky. Derby. In only her second year of training, she took her connections to the top of racing’s elite. (Watch for a book and perhaps a movie on this saga).
banamine said
Great job you have.To be so lucky to write about something you are so passionate about