Walk in the footsteps of legendary Black jockeys at ‘Isaac to Oliver Family Stroll’
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2022) — The University of Kentucky will help kick off Breeder’s Cup week with a special event taking place this Sunday, offering members of the community an opportunity to learn about the early days of horse racing and walk in the footsteps of legendary Black jockeys.
Co-sponsored by UK’s Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS), the “Isaac to Oliver Family Stroll” will take place 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, starting at the Isaac Murphy Art Garden at 577 East Third St.
"The history of Thoroughbred racing is inextricable from the history of African Americans in the Bluegrass," said Anastasia Curwood, director of CIBS and professor of history. "We at CIBS hope that this event helps spark curiosity about Black genius in the equine industry."
Participants are invited to journey from Isaac Murphy Art Garden to the Oliver Lewis Way bridge. An easily walkable path on Town Branch Commons can be enjoyed as a short walk, or participants may take the full three-mile stroll through the heart of downtown Lexington. The first 300 walkers will receive a free commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt.
All afternoon at Isaac Murphy Art Garden, starting at 2 p.m., there will be food trucks, kids’ activities courtesy of Keeneland and live music.
The event is sponsored by CIBS, Ed Brown Society, Commerce Lexington, WKYT and 107.9 The Beat WBTF-FM.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.