Keeneland Library's popular lecture series will continue over the winter with public events that celebrate recently published works about Thoroughbred racing. They are:
Nov. 20: Remi Bellocq on Horses Are Funny: The Racing World Through the Eyes of Remi Bellocq
Dec. 9: Barry Irwin on A Knight Errant
Jan. 21: David Chaffetz on Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires
"I am happy to share that on the heels of the library reaching more than 135,000 people onsite and in communities across the country through our education and outreach programming in 2026 to date, the Keeneland Library Lecture Series winter lineup will continue to deliver," said library director Roda Ferraro. "Please join us for the insights of three vastly different books crafted by authors who offer unique perspectives on the industry and the power of horses."
The Library Lecture Series programs remain the library's only ticketed events, with proceeds benefiting the Keeneland Library Foundation's work to provide free year-round outreach and access services to patrons near and far. Tickets for all Library Lecture Series events are $20 each and may be reserved at Keeneland.com/library or by calling 859 254-3412.
Copies of featured books also may be purchased in advance and signed by the authors during the reception following their presentations.
Here is a look at each book:
Horses Are Funny: The Racing World Through the Eyes of Remi Bellocq
Cartoonist and longtime Thoroughbred industry executive Remi Bellocq's first book, Horses Are Funny: The Racing World Through the Eyes of Remi Bellocq, highlights two decades of his insightful look at racing. Horses Are Funny is a compilation of cartoons, cover drawings and posters with a foreword by Bellocq's father, legendary racing cartoonist Pierre "Peb" Bellocq. Keeneland Library is home to approximately 3,000 drawings, comics and caricatures by Peb that were published in The Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form from 1955 through 2009.
Recently retired from the Equine Studies Program at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Remi Bellocq held executive management positions at several race tracks, including Garden State Park, Longacres, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita Park. In addition, he served for 10 years as the head of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
"Ever since my father's collection of original cartoons was brought to the Keeneland Library for safekeeping, the library has always held special meaning for him and for me," Bellocq said. "And now, having been selected to be part of the Library Lecture Series for the release of my first book, I feel even more connected to this wonderful place. What an honor."
A Knight Errant
Plagued by an undiagnosed ailment and written off by his famous owner, Knight Errant had become a trail horse when Turf writer Bill Richards saw him at a farm near Santa Anita. Richards immediately recognized Knight Errant as one of the fastest animals he had ever witnessed in a morning workout.
Through compelling characters and a fast-paced storyline, A Knight Errant explores the passion that draws people to racing; the experience of campaigning a once-in-a-lifetime horse; the distinction between legitimate therapeutic treatments and illegal performance-enhancing drugs; and the cultural forces that shape horse racing policy.
After more than 60 years immersed in the Thoroughbred industry—as a journalist, bloodstock agent, owner, breeder, syndicator, and racing executive—author Barry Irwin has accomplished a lifelong goal with the release of his debut novel. He is CEO of Team Valor International, which bred and raced champion and 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Animal Kingdom.
Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires
Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires presents a sweeping history of human civilization with the horse. The book explores how horses made rulers, raiders and traders interchangeable and offers a fresh perspective on the "Silk Road," suggesting it might be more aptly named the "Horse Road."
From ancient epics to the games of polo and Buzkashi, horses have symbolized authority, woven into the fabric of diverse cultures. Author David Chaffetz, an astute observer of history, economics, and international relations, draws on fresh research in genetics and forensic archaeology to present a lively history of the great horse empires that shaped civilization. A graduate of Harvard University, Chaffetz is an independent scholar specializing in Asian history.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
