The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers Exhibit

The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers traveling exhibit developed and shared by Keeneland
Library in Lexington, Kentucky, highlights the lives and careers of 100 African American horsemen and women from the mid-1800s to the present. One-of-a-kind photographs from Keeneland Library collections capture moments across their varied careers, while biographical vignettes honor their lasting
legacies.

From racetrack 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, shaping the racing industry into what it is today.

TRAVELING EXHIBIT CURATORIAL TEAM
Curator: Roda Ferraro
Historical Consultant: Yvonne Giles
Exhibit Panel Designer: Jessica Downey

TRAVELING EXHIBIT SPONSOR
Keeneland Association