LEXINGTON, KY (June 23, 2017) – Keeneland is proud to support the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden (IMMAG) in downtown Lexington on Third Street near Midland Avenue and Winchester Road. The garden is a community collaboration designed to commemorate African-Americans from Lexington’s East End neighborhood who were involved in the racing industry, including legendary jockey Isaac Murphy.

Located on the site of Murphy’s home, the IMMAG on June 19 dedicated its first permanent sculpture, “My Home is a Horse and Track,” which stands 16 feet tall and weighs two tons. Representing Keeneland at the dedication was Keeneland Library Director Becky Ryder, who also is president of Phoenix Rising, a group working to recognize, preserve and promote Lexington’s early racing industry.

The IMMAG is near the site of the old Kentucky Association track, which operated from 1828-1933 and is Keeneland’s predecessor. Several Keeneland stakes were inaugurated at the Kentucky Association track, where the William Wells Brown Elementary and Equestrian View neighborhood now are located. Among those races is the Fall Meet’s Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2), which first was run in 1831 and is the oldest stakes race in the U.S.

“My Home is a Horse and Track” was designed by Tiffany and Neal Bociek of California and fabricated in Lexington by sculptor Andrew Light of Material Alchemy Studios.