Unveiling Natchez's Horse Racing Legacy: A Journey Through History
The Natchez community will soon have the chance to explore a lesser-known aspect of the city's history - its significant role in early horse racing. The Historic Natchez Foundation will host two events focusing on books that shed light on Natchez's involvement in horse racing. The first event, scheduled for August 26, will feature author Mary Beth Gibson discussing her book "Pryor Knowledge: Horse Racing, Love and Slavery in the Antebellum South," which delves into the story of Benjamin Pryor, who trained the renowned horse Lexington in Natchez. The event is open to the public and will be led by Kathleen Bond, a horse-racing enthusiast.
Lexington, considered the greatest racehorse in American history, has left a lasting legacy in the horse racing world. All horses that participated in the 2025 Kentucky Derby were descendants of Lexington. Following his racing career, Lexington served as a stud for 16 years, and his skeleton remains are now housed at the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky. The Natchez community has come together to form Natchez Reads, a book club initiative that aims to explore books that resonate with the city's history.
Natchez Reads has selected "Horse" by Pulitzer-winning author Geraldine Brooks as its book for 2025. The novel is based on the true story of Lexington, who was trained on the plantation of Adam L. Bingaman. Trainer Benjamin Pryor, who was married to Bingaman's daughter Frances, played a crucial role in Lexington's training. Brooks will be visiting Natchez on September 12 to discuss her book at the Grand Hotel, followed by an appearance at the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on September 13. Both events are open to the public and free of charge.
The Natchez community is invited to join these engaging discussions and delve into the rich history of horse racing in the city. Through Natchez Reads and events like these, residents have the opportunity to learn more about their community's past and engage in meaningful conversations about its historical significance. Don't miss the chance to be a part of these enlightening events and explore the fascinating world of Natchez's horse racing history.