The Keeneland Library is set to continue its well-liked Lecture Series through the winter, featuring public events that spotlight recently released books about Thoroughbred racing. The upcoming talks are scheduled as follows:
- November 20: Remi Bellocq presents “Horses Are Funny: The Racing World Through the Eyes of Remi Bellocq”
- December 9: Barry Irwin discusses “A Knight Errant”
- January 21: David Chaffetz explores “Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires”
Library director Roda Ferraro noted, “Following a year where our education and outreach programs have reached over 135,000 people both onsite and nationwide in 2026, we are excited to continue offering these insightful events this winter. We invite everyone to experience the unique perspectives of three very different books by authors who illuminate the power and significance of horses in the racing world.”
These Lecture Series events remain the Library’s only ticketed programs, with all proceeds supporting the Keeneland Library Foundation’s mission to provide free year-round outreach and access services to patrons everywhere. Tickets cost $20 each and can be reserved online at Keeneland.com/library or by calling (859) 254-3412. Attendees may also pre-order the featured books and have them signed by the authors after their presentations.
Here’s a brief look at each book:
“Horses Are Funny: The Racing World Through the Eyes of Remi Bellocq”
This debut book by cartoonist and Thoroughbred industry veteran Remi Bellocq showcases two decades of his insightful and humorous cartoons about racing. The collection includes cartoons, cover art, and posters, introduced by a foreword from Bellocq’s father, Pierre “Peb” Bellocq, a legendary racing cartoonist whose extensive body of work the Keeneland Library preserves. Remi Bellocq recently retired from Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s Equine Studies Program and has held leadership roles at major racetracks and horsemen’s organizations. He expressed pride in being connected to the Library, saying it has deep personal significance for him and his family.
“A Knight Errant”
Barry Irwin’s debut novel tells the story of Knight Errant, a horse once dismissed due to health issues but discovered by racing writer Bill Richards to be extraordinarily fast. The book paints a vivid picture of the passion behind horse racing, the experience of handling a remarkable horse, and the ongoing debate over legitimate versus illegal treatments in the sport. Irwin, with over 60 years in the Thoroughbred world as a journalist, breeder, owner, and executive, is CEO of Team Valor International, renowned for breeding the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom.
“Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires”
David Chaffetz’s book presents an expansive history of how horses have influenced the formation of empires, arguing that horses blurred the roles of raiders, rulers, and traders. Offering a fresh take on the Silk Road—proposing it might better be dubbed the “Horse Road”—the book draws on cutting-edge genetic and archaeological research to explore the horse’s role in shaping civilizations across cultures. Chaffetz, a Harvard-educated independent scholar, focuses on Asian history and international relations.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on October 6, 2026.
Fan Take:
This lineup offers horse racing fans a rare opportunity to deepen their understanding of the sport’s cultural, historical, and artistic dimensions directly from experts and insiders. By fostering greater appreciation of Thoroughbred racing’s rich legacy and ongoing challenges, the Keeneland Library Lecture Series could inspire a new generation of enthusiasts and advocates, helping to preserve and grow the sport’s future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
