The Keeneland Library launched The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers in the Library from February 23 to December 8, 2023, before traveling the exhibit. Since its launch, more than 200,000 youth and adults from nearly every state and 35 countries have freely engaged with the exhibit and its educational programs.

The groundbreaking exhibit that follows the lives and contributions of Black horsemen and women from enslavement to today engaged visitors with exhibited interpretive panels and never-before-displayed photographs, artwork, artifacts, and video interviews. More than 100 photographs from Keeneland Library collections captured moments across their varied careers, while commissioned artwork by LaVon Williams and loaned artwork from the Kentucky Derby Museum, the International Museum of the Horse, and private collections honored their lasting legacies.

Lexington’s East End, home to the Kentucky Association track from the late 1820s through 1933, also was home to many Black horsemen and their families. By the late 1800s, four future Racing Hall of Famers lived in Lexington’s East End: jockeys Isaac Burns Murphy and Jimmy Winkfield, trainer Ansel Williamson, and trainer/owner Edward Dudley Brown. Hundreds of others bought their homes, built their businesses, and raised their families in surrounding neighborhoods.    

That many of the city’s leading horsemen were African American and living near the Kentucky Association track shaped the East End’s heritage as a historic industry hub for pioneering Black horsemen. The economy of the Bluegrass and viability of the Thoroughbred industry as a whole are rooted in their skill, hard work, knowledge, and tenacity. 

From race track superstars to behind-the-scenes caretakers, The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers showcases select stories of the countless African Americans who forged their way in Kentucky and beyond from the era of slavery to the present, making the racing industry what it is today.  

In September 2023, the Library launched The Heart of the Turf: Racing's Black Pioneers traveling exhibit as an extension of our education and outreach initiatives in the community. To host The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers traveling exhibit in your schools, community centers, or gallery space, contact Roda Ferraro at [email protected]. 

The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers is sponsored by the Keeneland Association and supported with funding from the Kentucky Historical Society. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society, see history.ky.gov.

Community Youth and Adult Educational Programs

Want to learn more about the contributions of African Americans in the horse industry or dig deeper into the East End’s heritage as a historic hub for racing’s Black pioneers? To book an in-classroom educational program for students or an onsite educational program for community and corporate groups, contact the Keeneland Library at 859-288-4223.

Arabian Roots: The Pedigree Of Kentucky Thoroughbreds

“Arabian Roots: The Pedigree of Kentucky Thoroughbreds” was a multimedia exhibit hosted by William T. Young Library at the University of Kentucky comprising photographs, print collections, artifacts, and interpretive panels that spoke to the centrality of Arabian horses to the history of the Thoroughbred breeding industry. The exhibit spotlighted the three foundational sires: the Darley Arabian, the Byerley Turk, and the Godolphin Arabian; five early Thoroughbred sires: Eclipse, Camel, Diomed, Boston, and Lexington; and six select celebrated Kentucky Thoroughbreds: Man o’ War, Nashua, Graustark, Alydar, Storm Cat, and Silver Charm. 

The exhibit was co-developed by UK Libraries and the Keeneland Library in collaboration with the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, The Pyramid Society, and the International Museum of the Horse.

Digitized content from the exhibit is available on the University of Kentucky’s digital repository, UK Knowledge.

Into The Light: The Art And Inspiration Of Katey Barrett

“Into the Light: The Art and Inspiration of Katey Barrett” showcased more than 40 works by the prominent Southern California equine photographer known for her individual artistry and documentation style. The exhibit, the library’s first major curated art display, emphasized Barrett’s use of light, film, and pioneering photographic techniques.

The Keeneland Library acquired its Katey Barrett collection in December 2014. The collection, spanning the 1970s through the 2010s, was the library’s first collection of color photography and the first to comprehensively document West Coast racing. Barrett’s unusual capture of the movement, power, and beauty of the horse has been the subject of photo essays in varied publications, including Spur, Equine Images, Western Styles, theDaily Racing Form, and the Thoroughbred Record. She is the author of The Light Touch(Pump Publications, 1988) and The Hill: 30 Years of Photographing Santa Anita’s Unique Downhill Turf Course (Global Media Network, 2012).

Visit Katey Barrett’s website for online galleries and more information about the artist.

Man O’ War: Images From The Keeneland Library Collections

“Man o’ War: Images from the Keeneland Library Collections” showcased photographs of Man o’ War from the library’s various historic photographic collections, with an emphasis on photographs not widely seen by the public. The online exhibit companion, “Man o’ War: In Others’ Words,” tells the story of Man o’ War’s life, accomplishments, and influence through more than 30 images and accompanying descriptions of the horse from his varied connections, including owner Samuel D. Riddle and trainer Louis Feustel, along with historic and contemporary sports writers and biographers.  

In addition to curating its own physical and virtual exhibits to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Man o’ War’s birth, the library provided resources to several industry magazines as well as the International Museum of the Horse, the Derby Museum, and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame during 2017 efforts to honor Man o’ War, considered by many to be the greatest racehorse of all time.  

The Artistry Of Peb: Fifty Years Of Features

“The Artistry of Peb: Fifty Years of Features” showcases 18 of Pierre Bellocq’s features from The Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form spanning the mid-1950s to the mid-2000s. The online exhibit companion highlights more than 120 of Peb’s digitized works dating from 1953. 

For over sixty years, the internationally celebrated artist Pierre Bellocq, better known as “Peb,” has melded his subject matter – the horse and the racing industry – with humorous caricature and satirical commentary. He is rarely seen at tracks without sketch pad in hand, closely observing humans and horses alike to capture personality and character through an expression, trait, or posture. He skillfully posits his observations of the industry within broader cultural contexts. A survey of the artist’s corpus of work reveals his grasp of evolving mainstream trends of the last half of the 20^thcentury. 

Peb placed his collection of approximately 2,500 original works of art of the equine industry at the Keeneland Library in 2009.

From The Vault: Historic Tracks

The Keeneland Library’s newest exhibit, the first in a series featuring the repository’s historic photographs, will open to the public on October 1, 2018, and will run through the spring. 

The Library is home to a million photographic prints and negatives dating from the late 1800s. From the Vault: Historic Tracks taps into a sample of 26 of these rich documentary resources, with a focus on racing fans’ engagement with U.S. tracks over time. From tracks that operated for less than a decade to tracks still running today, the exhibit’s early 20^thcentury emphasis highlights New York, Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois and California courses, providing glimpses into the experience of U.S. racegoers at various moments in history.  

The exhibit showcases the work of the pioneering turf photographers John C. Hemment and Charles Christian Cook, with additional representation from Joel Clyne Meadors and Robert Lee McClure. The online exhibit, "Photo Treasures from the Keeneland Library,"  provides access to nearly 100 other historic images of U.S. racing facilities in its “Tracks Gallery.” 

Click here for the online exhibit, "From the Vault: Historic Tracks"

From the Vault: Jockeys

The Keeneland Library’s newest exhibit, the second in a series featuring the repository’s historic photographs, will open to the public on March 25, 2019, and will run through the fall. 

From the Vault: Jockeys draws from the library’s rich documentary resources, with a focus on U.S. jockeys from the late 1800s to the 1950s. The exhibit showcases the work of early Turf photographers John C. Hemment and Charles Christian Cook, with additional representation from Bert Stanley Morgan and Joel Clyne Meadors. The library’s online exhibit, “Photo Treasures from the Keeneland Library,” provides access to more than 50 other historic images of jockeys in its “People Gallery.” 

Several images were reproduced from one-of-a-kind prints, and many were developed from glass plate negatives that are more than a century old. The featured prints from the Hemment Photograph Collection are among the earliest photographs taken of jockeys in the country.

Click here for the online exhibit,“From the Vault: Jockeys"

The Keeneland Library is home to the largest known surviving body of work of late 19^th/early 20^thcentury photographer John C. Hemment. An avid athlete and photographer, Hemment was an early pioneer in the use of cameras to capture the finishes of close races, both human and horse. 

Although Hemment’s work predates actual photo finish technology by decades, his experimentation with different lenses and shutter speeds led to some of the earliest discussions of “photo finish.” As early as 1890, Hemment was the official track photographer for the Coney Island Jockey Club in New York City. He soon covered other tracks in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and at Saratoga. Although his early emphasis was the finish line, Hemment’s work spanned every aspect of the track – from the backside to winner’s circles, and from posed shots of industry greats to candid reflections of daily life in and around the sport.

In addition to his work as a track photographer, Hemment was the photographer of record on several polar and African expeditions. He was a war photojournalist, recording the wreckage of the USS Maine in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War as well as American Red Cross efforts during World War I. 

Hemment’s work bears a signature rawness. His eye for reflecting an unfiltered reality through his lens drove the curation process of what will be a two-part exhibit series. Each exhibited photograph conveys a single moment in the day of grooms, exercise riders, farriers, bookies, jockeys, track officials, trainers, and stable boys at the turn of the 20^thcentury. Many of the people featured in these photographs have been lost to history, but their often unsung efforts comprised the backbone of the industry then just as they do today.

For access to the virtual exhibit, visit “A Day in the Life: Volume I” in the library’s online exhibit gallery.

Can I check out the books?

The Keeneland Library is a non-circulating collection.  The Library Staff can help you find libraries which do circulate their equine industry materials.

Do you offer tours?

The Library Staff are always delighted to provide tours.  Call the Library Director, Roda Ferraro, at 859-288-4223 to make arrangements in advance. Each tour is customized to the group.  We are also available to give orientation tours of the Research Room to first-time Library users.

How do I schedule a research appointment with the Library Staff?

Call the Library Director, Roda Ferraro, at 859-288-4223 or contact her by email ([email protected]) to set up a research consultation.

Can I photocopy or scan materials in the Library?

The Library offers photocopy services for research-related purposes. We restrict the photocopying of personal documents.  You may use cameras to make reference copy images for your research purposes only and not for subsequent distribution.

Can I print duplex copies?

The public photocopier offers duplex copying.  It also permits copying to letter, legal and ledger-sized paper.

Can I connect to a free wireless network in the Library?

Keeneland Library offers access to a public wireless network.  The Library Staff can provide assistance in accessing the network.

Can I access historical information about people, horses and places?

We provide research services to locate information and/or photos about people, horses andplaces in the equine industry. We check our indexes, journals, books, photos, and historical archives to locate sources.  The more specific your question, the more likely we can find relevant results.  Be ready to supply names, dates, alternate locations, and any other information that may prove useful.

How do I donate gifts to the Library?

Contact the Library Director, Roda Ferraro at [email protected], to discuss in-kind donations of books, journals, photographs, art and/or artifacts.  All gifts are documented by a Deed of Gift signed by the donor and the Library representative. The Library does not provide appraisals.

Can I bring my own scanner or camera to the Library?

Please consult the Library Staff before your visit to discuss your scanning needs.  The permission to use personal scanning or photographic equipment depends on the purpose of the reproduction, the copyright parameters, and the condition of the collection.  It is permissible to used cell phone cameras to make images for reference purposes only and not for subsequent distribution.

Is Library parking available during the race meet?

Free parking is available year-round at the Keeneland Library. Handicap parking spaces are available too.

How do I recommend a book for the Library to acquire?

Please feel free to make a suggestion to any of the Library Staff.  You may also email our Research Services Librarian, Kelly Coffman, at [email protected].

Can I access historic newspapers in the Keeneland Library?

Yes, we hold the largest collection of Daily Racing Form in hard copy from 1896 to the present. Additionally some of the Form is online at https://drf.uky.edu

We maintain a subscription to Newspapers.com which can be used onsite. A Librarian will log you into the resource.

Does the Library have statistical information about owners, trainers, jockeys, and horses?

Yes, the Library has the American Racing Manual from 1904 to the present. In addition we have the Daily Racing Form Monthly Charts which provides race results.  The free online resource Equibase provides information about recent ownership, race results, and pedigree.  The Library maintains a subscription to Equineline’s American Produce Records which can be used onsite after a Librarian logs you into the resource.  

Is there an index to the Lexington Herald-Leader?

The Lexington Public Library created an index to the Lexington Herald and the Lexington Leader.  The index provides the full headline, first sentence, and a citation for the articles. The articles can be found on the newspaper microfilm at the Lexington Public Library and the University of Kentucky’s Young Library.  

Can you recommend a conservator?

We recommend that you use the American Institute for Conservation’s “Find A Conservator” website. Conservators work with a variety of media such as books, paper, textiles, photographs, artifacts and more. 

Can I get copies of photographs or other still images in the Library collection?

Access to view and requests to reproduce and/or license photographs and still images in the Library’s collections are mediated by Library staff. The Library respects the rights of photographers, artists, and other still image content creators who have participated in the creation of the materials in the Library’s collections. If the materials you wish to copy or use are protected by copyright, we are often able to grant requests for digital or print copies if the Library owns the copyright or manages it on behalf of its owner. Fees and restrictions may apply (see fee structure below). 

Some materials in the Library’s collections may have copyrights that are held by unknown or unreachable owners, and the Library generally does not grant requests for copies of such materials. If you wish to use these materials for an educational or research purpose, please contact us and we will review whether the Library can accommodate your request.

View Fee Structures

How do I contact the Library Staff?

Contact the Library by using the contact the library form.

Can I request remote research services from the Library?

As a service to the industry and community on behalf of Keeneland Association, our research librarians can conduct research for distance patrons at no cost for up to 8 hours within a 30-day period. After the initial 8 gratis hours, the following rates apply:*

Standard research rates after 8 hours of gratis research services: $25 per hour

Expedited/rush (same or next day) research rates after 8 hours of gratis research services: $50 per hour

*Research services are tracked in 15-minute increments.

Time restrictions may be placed on a project.

In addition to the time spent researching, tracked services include retrieving and preparing materials for distribution.

Patron will receive an invoice for billable services rendered, even if 1) the requested information is not found and/or 2) the requested information is found but not used by the requesting patron.

 

The Keeneland Library collections feature a wide array of information, ranging from photographs, newspaper clippings, historic and current periodicals, and nearly every significant book written about the Thoroughbred and racing and breeding. The Library’s book collections span a broad range of topics, including sales and racing, equine science and art, biographies, the history of the horse in culture, racing history, memoirs, equine law and economics, theories about handicapping and breeding, and even fiction, photography and poetry.