Families Can Meet and Read to Old Friends Retirees

This Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, Old Friends will host a Family Day: Meet & Read to Old Friends Retirees event from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., so that young children of all ages can meet some of the Thoroughbred retirees at the farm and read to them from the book, The Jockey & Her Horse by Cheryl White, the first black woman jockey to ride and win a professional race in the United States.

The Family Day is part of The Heart of the Turf: Racing's Black Pioneers, a traveling exhibit sponsored by the Keeneland Association and developed and shared by the Keeneland Library, which is open to the public in the Josephine Abercrombie Center at Old Friends' Dream Chase Farm through Oct. 31, 2024.

"Old Friends is excited to host this unique gathering offering an innovative way to learn about the life of the trail-blazing black woman jockey, Cheryl White," said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. "We hope Bluegrass families and children will join us on Saturday to celebrate a key part of the horse industry's history, while at the same time meeting and interacting with some of our legendary retirees. We are so grateful to Keeneland and honored to be hosting this important event."

About the event, Roda Ferraro, Keeneland Library Director and Exhibit Curator, said, "Old Friends hosting The Heart of the Turf provides a perfect backdrop to bring the stories of the exhibit to life with children in our joint Meet & Read -- a unique opportunity for a child to meet horses while promoting literacy, industry awareness, and appreciation of past and present pioneers. It will be a special morning at Old Friends, and Keeneland Library is grateful to be a part."

Family Day: Meet & Read to Old Friends Retiree

• When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Where: Old Friends Farm
• Keeneland Library is donating one copy of Cheryl White's book per family during the event while supplies last.
• The event is free and open to the general public.
• RSVP is required. Phone: 502-863-1775 or Email: alyssa@oldfriendsequine.org

Details:

Old Friends and the Keeneland Library are partnering to bring the story of Cheryl White, the first black woman jockey to ride and win a professional race in the United States, to Family Day at Old Friends. Keeneland Library will donate one copy, per family, while supplies last, of the acclaimed children's book The Jockey & Her Horse by Cheryl White to young readers of all ages, who will meet Old Friends retirees and read this important story to Old Friends horses.

Main Heart of the Turf: Racing's Black Pioneers Exhibit Days and Hours

About the main exhibit: The exhibit comprises interpretive panels with one-of-a-kind photographs from Keeneland Library collections, as well as biographical vignettes spanning nearly two centuries, which include four future Racing Hall of Famers that once lived in Lexington's East End: jockeys Issaac Burns and Jimmy Winkfield, trainer Ansel Williamson, and trainer/owner Edward Dudley Brown.

• Exhibit Dates: Seven days a week through Oct. 31, 2024.
• Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Daily
• Stop in the Old Friends office for information and viewing details.