Prizewinning journalist Maryjean Wall will discuss her new book on the post-Civil War world of Thoroughbred racing, How Kentucky Became Southern: A Tale of Outlaws, Horse Thieves, Gamblers, and Breeders. With her insider knowledge of horse racing, Wall constructs a unique history on the building of a Thoroughbred industry in late-nineteenth-century Kentucky, the period immediately after the Civil War. Key events include a challenge between Asteroid, the best horse in Kentucky, and Kentucky, the best horse in New York; a mysterious and deadly disease that threatened to wipe out the foal crops for several years; and the disappearance of African American jockeys such as Isaac Murphy. Wall demonstrates how Kentucky came close to slipping from its dominant position in the horse-racing industry, and how it recovered to become the center of horse racing and breeding.

Wall served as the turf writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader for thirty-five years.

This lecture will begin at 12 p.m. at The Filson Historical Society. There is no cost for this event, though reservations are suggested. You may reserve your seat by visiting www.filsonhistorical.org or by calling The Filson at (502) 635-5083.