“We are excited to embark upon this critical work with The Jockey Club. Because The Jockey Club's operations touch virtually every aspect of our industry, this partnership opens up many more professional opportunities for our scholars and fellows to explore. So, we salute The Jockey Club for demonstrating this commitment to our mission. Undoubtedly, this partnership will lead to a more inclusive future for our industry,” said EBS Chairman Greg Harbut.

Named in honor of Edward Dudley Brown, who was born into slavery in Lexington, KY, and went on to become one of the most accomplished horsemen in the history of Thoroughbred racing and founded by Living The Dream Racing & Stables, the Ed Brown Society (EBS) celebrates the rich history of African-Americans in the equine industry, while creating opportunities for young people of color to gain industry exposure, training, and experience, through internships and scholarships. EBS focuses on identifying and qualifying students of color, with demonstrated interest, skills and commitment, to become successful professionals in all aspects of the Thoroughbred industry.

“The Ed Brown Society shares The Jockey Club's commitment to bringing talented young people into the Thoroughbred industry,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO of The Jockey Club. “This partnership is an excellent example of how collaboration among industry groups can help grow the sport.”

For more information about EBS visit www.EdBrownSociety.org .

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Founded by Living The Dream Racing & Stables, a group of racing syndicates managed by Greg Harbut and Ray Daniels, the Ed Brown Society celebrates the rich history of African-Americans in the equine industry by identifying and supporting college students of color who have demonstrated the skills necessary to become successful professionals in a variety of different roles within the sport.

“Horse racing is a powerful economic engine that creates jobs and opportunities in every corner of New York State,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “The Ed Brown Society is focused on ensuring those opportunities are shared equitably to increase diversity for the betterment of the sport. NYRA applauds the Ed Brown Society for what they have accomplished, and we look forward to anchoring this important work here in New York.”

NYRA will work with the Ed Brown Society to develop Ed Brown Scholars and Fellows who will qualify for paid internships at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. To support these opportunities, NYRA has made a significant  financial contribution to the Ed Brown Society.

“As a third-generation horseman, and one of the few African American professionals in the industry, I am very excited to begin this important work in New York,” said Ed Brown Society Chairman Greg Harbut. “NYRA is committed to our mission of expanding diversity, equity and inclusion in horse racing, which is exactly what this partnership will accomplish.”

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Available to Kentucky non-profits providing equine educational programs, events, and initiatives, the Seattle Slew Grant Program is part of the Foundation's efforts to support education and promote the importance of the equine industry to Kentucky's economy and culture.

“The KEEP Foundation is honored to support these exceptional organizations that are tirelessly working towards showcasing our industry to future equine enthusiasts,” said Katie LaMonica, KEEP Foundation Board Chair. “The KEEP Foundation congratulates the grant recipients and commends their exceptional dedication and passion for Kentucky's equine community.”

The KEEP Foundation is committed to helping support educational programs, projects and other endeavors that help advance the future of the equine industry in Kentucky. Grants of up to $5,000 are available, with new submissions reviewed quarterly. For more information, please visit KEEP's grants page.

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Alee is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Equine Science and Management and Elder is on schedule to graduate with honors, from Kentucky State University in May of 2023, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Campbell is a December 2022 graduate of the University of Kentucky, with a Master of Arts in History.

Plans and preparations are also underway for the inaugural Ed Brown Race Day at Keeneland, scheduled for Apr. 23.

The Ed Brown Society celebrates the rich history of African-Americans in the equine industry while creating opportunities for young people of color to gain industry exposure, training and experience, through academic scholarships, development programming and professional internships.

“We are very happy about the strides we are making in year one of our partnership with Keeneland,” said EBS President Ray Daniels. “Facilitating these opportunities for Jaida, Jordyn and Timothy will undoubtedly further their journeys toward successful career placements within their respective disciplines. We are also looking forward to an exciting Ed Brown Race Day that will allow our supporters to enjoy an incredible day at Keeneland–one of the most charming venues in all of Thoroughbred racing.”

Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin added, “We are excited to welcome Jordyn, Jaida and Timothy to the Keeneland team this spring. Keeneland and Ed Brown Society share a commitment to create diversity among our industry leaders, and we look forward to providing more opportunities for people from all backgrounds.”

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Ed Brown Fellow Selman graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia last year with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.

Ed Brown Scholar Davis will graduate this summer from Kentucky State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications.

“We are very excited to embark upon year two of our groundbreaking partnership with 1/ST and to facilitate this tremendous opportunity for Zaharia and Shaska, as they undoubtedly gain professional experience that will place them on the pathway to successful careers in the Thoroughbred industry,” said Ed Brown Society Chairman Greg Harbut.

The Ed Brown Society, founded in 2020, celebrates the rich history of African-Americans in the Thoroughbred industry and creates opportunities for young people of color that will qualify them for professional careers in the industry. 1/ST became the first member of the Ed Brown Partnership in January 2022.

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The Ed Brown Society announced six new Ed Brown Scholars on Tuesday evening at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center during opening night of an art exhibit celebrating African American equestrians. The event was co-sponsored by the Ed Brown Society, Breeders' Cup Festival Week and Commerce Lexington.

Jaida Alee, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky majoring in Equine Science and Management; Chanler Robinson, a junior at Ohio State University majoring in Animal Science; Sophia Vega, a freshman at the University of Kentucky majoring in Animal Science; Harrison Goode, a junior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Equine Science and Management; Jeffrey Mitchell, Jr., a doctoral student at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Deanira Smith, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine were all recognized as Ed Brown Scholars for the remainder of the 2022-2023 academic year. Each Ed Brown Scholar was awarded a $3,000 scholarship and will gain industry exposure, training and experience, through the EBS career development program.

Chairman Greg Harbut said, “At the Breeders' Cup, many will place their wagers on who they believe will be the winners of world championship races. In that same spirit, the Ed Brown Society is making this investment in young people of color who are running strong academic races in pursuit of their equine careers, and we believe they will finish strong.”

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Participants have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of legends as they stroll from the Isaac Murphy Art Garden to Oliver Lewis Way along the newly-completed Town Branch Commons, a public-private trail system that follows Town Branch Creek through downtown Lexington.

Event sponsors include WKYT, LM Communications and the Ed Brown Society.

“The organizers of the festival really wanted to make sure that we used the Breeders' Cup Festival Week as an opportunity to bring the community together,” said Daryl Love, the Executive Director of the Ed Brown Society. “We have a lot of people coming in across the U.S. and around the world, but sometimes when it comes down to the actual event it may be unattainable for some people to get a ticket. We want them to be able to celebrate the rich tradition that we have within the Bluegrass State and also feel like they're a part of the activities.”

Whether participants walk, jog or run through the stroll, they can all return to the Isaac Murphy Art Garden, which is the first park in the U.S. to honor the earliest African American professional athletes, afterwards to enjoy food trucks, live music, kids activities and more.

“People will have the opportunity to learn about the early days of racing in Lexington,” Love said. “We'll have some of the famous Black jockey silks that kids can dress up in. It really is an opportunity for individuals from all across the community to come out and have fun.”

The free event begins at 2 p.m. and will go on until 6 p.m. The first 300 walkers will receive a commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt.

Love said that a celebration honoring the early African American jockeys is the perfect way to kick off Breeders' Cup week.

“One of the things that we always talk about is making sure that history is put in its proper context,” he explained. “As people are seeking to diversify in various industries, it's important to come back and understand the rich contributions that African Americans have made from the beginning as trainers, jockeys and owners. It's also important as we try to inspire the next generation.”

The Ed Brown Society will also be hosting an art exhibit at the Lyric Theatre from Nov. 2-6 that will feature local and national artists showcasing their equine-inspired art.

Breeders' Cup festivities will carry on all throughout the week in Lexington. Tandy Park will be the center of the Breeders' Cup celebration action downtown with live music, food and refreshments every evening from Monday through Saturday. Large video boards throughout the park will feature live racing coverage on Friday and Saturday.

For a full list of the events that make up the 2022 Breeders' Cup Festival Week, click here.

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As a cornerstone of the partnership, Ed Brown Society (EBS) will identify, recruit and place qualified minority students for paid professional internships within the Keeneland team. Upon the completion of their internships, EBS will provide ongoing direction to these interns as they progress toward permanent professional placements in the Thoroughbred Industry. Ed Brown Society and Keeneland will also collaborate on existing initiatives such as Keeneland's Fifth Grade Field Trips, College Scholarship Day and Keeneland's College Ambassador Program with an effort to promote diversity and inclusion.

The Ed Brown Society (edbrownsociety.org) is named for the noted African American horseman, Edward Dudley Brown from Lexington who achieved great success as a Thoroughbred jockey, trainer and owner from the latter 19th century through the time of his retirement in 1903. Brown, who trained Baden-Baden to win the 1877 Kentucky Derby and developed future Derby winners Ben Brush and Plaudit, was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1984.

“Ed Brown Society and Keeneland have a collective commitment to expose the sport to new and diverse audiences and create more opportunities for people from all backgrounds,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are proud to expand our relationship with Ed Brown Society at the Partner level and excited to invest in a more diverse next generation of industry leaders with the EBS internship program.”

“Like so many African Americans, who have accomplished great things in horse racing, Ed Brown was a native of Lexington, KY. So, it is a fitting milestone to embark upon this crucial endeavor with Keeneland. We gladly welcome Keeneland to the Ed Brown Partnership, which should open doors in the Horse Capital of the World for more students of color to pursue professional careers in the industry that I love,” said Greg Harbut, Chairman of the Ed Brown Society.

Details are also in the works for a Keeneland sponsored Ed Brown Race Day during the 2023 Spring Meet.

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The Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative (LBPI) and the Blue Grass Community Foundation (BGCF) have announced an award of $50,000 to further the mission of the Ed Brown Society. The award consists of pooled funding from LBPI, BGCF and the Walton Family Foundation, through the Better Together Grants program. The Ed Brown Society (EBS) will use these funds to provide scholarships and professional development opportunities to students of color pursuing professional careers within the equine industry.

EBS Chairman Greg Harbut said, “We're excited about what this award will mean to the development of the next group of Ed Brown Scholars that we will be announcing soon. The highest level of commitment an entity can show to the work of the Ed Brown Society is demonstrated by becoming an Ed Brown Partner. 1/ST and Churchill Downs have each made that commitment. Yet, today is a milestone moment because, with this tremendous gift, the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative and the Blue Grass Community Foundation have earned the distinction of the Ed Brown Partnership designation. We are delighted to now have an Ed Brown Partner at home, in Lexington–The Horse Capital of the World.”

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Wednesday's press conference marked the one-year anniversary of Beshear's declaration of Derby Week 2021 as “Ed Brown Society Week.”

“The Ed Brown Society has an incredibly important mission: Providing mentorship to the next generation of African-Americans in the multi-billion-dollar horse racing industry,” Beshear said. “Thank you and congratulations to both of these institutions for moving our commonwealth forward with this innovative partnership.”

“Churchill Downs is committed to strengthening diversity both within our own organization and across the entire industry,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Community Relations. “We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Ed Brown Society to further their work to create inclusive opportunities for young people of color in the horse racing industry. This company hopes to be one of the many launch pads to the success of future Ed Brown Scholars.”

Ed Brown Society Chairman Greg Harbut, whose great-grandfather was the world-renowned groom of Man O' War, said, “As a third-generation horseman, and one of the few African American professionals in the industry, I am extremely excited about the work of the Ed Brown Society and I am delighted that Churchill Downs has joined us to advance our mission.”

Also Wednesday, the Ed Brown Society announced the hiring of Executive Director Daryl Love. Love most recently served as the Executive Director of Career Services at Kentucky State University, a role that will be utilized greatly in the placement of Ed Brown Scholars within partner organizations like Churchill Downs.

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