Keeneland Library's BC Exhibit Takes Step Back in Time

Walking into the Keeneland Library Nov. 28 was like taking a step back through time.

Though this year's Breeders' Cup may be in the rearview, its memories can still be viewed in the "Breeders' Cup at Keeneland" exhibit which was set up during the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and will be taken down in a few weeks. 

The exhibit features mementos and photos, as well as two walls which feature artifacts such as champion Zenyatta 's halter and bridle as well as silks Victor Espinoza wore when he guided American Pharoah   to Triple Crown glory in 2015.

Research services librarian Kelly Coffman, who curated the items for the display, says the idea was handed down from Keeneland executives which the library embraced. Typically, the team bounces around ideas and come up with exhibits internally.  

"Everything that was pulled for the photographs is from the Keeneland archives or the Breeders' Cup archives," Coffman said. "It's (the years of) 2021 and 2015... It's the main fan-favorite horses that people know. That was done in-house, known collaborations with people."

On either side of the entryway are two large glass cases containing specialized arrangements.

"The stuff in the display cases, one is American Pharoah, who got the grand slam here for Thoroughbred racing. His halter was a gift to the library from Ashford/Coolmore. One of our patrons collaborated that," she said. 

The other side sits right across and is filled with Zenyatta memorabilia.

"Of course, we have to have her because she was the first filly to beat the boys. Her stuff on display, some of it is from the Breeders' Cup offices... the other stuff is from Lane's End and trainer John Shirreffs. They are on loan to us. Her bridle, halter, and the silks."

Coffman says that usually the library forms its own exhibits by utilizing their own in-house archives as well as the Keeneland archives. This exhibit marks the second time that they have reached for outside help. 

"This was the second time in the library's history that we've collaborated with other organizations and people to make an exhibit happen. The first time was last year for the Queen Elizabeth exhibit."

The library opened 83 years ago where it was housed in the Clubhouse until the collection grew too large for the space. In 2002, the current building was built.

"Most of our collection is from gifts or donations," Coffman said. "The library's nucleus collection that started in 1939 when the library was formed was about 2,000 books and they were given to us by Arnold Hanger, who was on the board of Keeneland and the library grew from there.

"Our earliest book is from 1599. But the periodicals (British racing charts) mainly start in the 1770s. The British (archive) will start first because (racing) started there."

Throughout those years, exhibits were not necessarily a normal tradition but have become more frequent recently. 

"This one is up for a short time... The really big major time when people were coming to look at the exhibit was during the Breeders' Cup; that's when it was popular," Coffman said. "It's probably the shortest exhibit we've ever done which is about 3-4 months. Most of the time, the exhibits will be 6-8 months."

Coffman mentioned that during the week of the Breeders' Cup, she could hardly sit down in her office due to the constant influx of visitors. During the winter months, she says she may only see three people in a day. 

"It was really fun doing this one... I've never seen the library have so much footfall as that week of Breeders' Cup. Just people from all over the world, they got into town early and on the grounds whether for morning workouts and stayed.

One of the reasons that Coffman says they are able to have more complex exhibits is due to connections which the team maintains both internationally and within the country. She says that they have a close relationship with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and enjoy collaborating on specialty projects.

As for what's next, Coffman says that after the current exhibit is taken down it will be several months until it has a replacement. Unable to give many details as the new exhibit is still in the planning stage, she thinks it may be one of their largest yet.

"It won't go up until next year, February to March timeframe. That one will be up for a while, maybe around eight months," she said.