The University Press of Kentucky is proud to announce the launch of a new book series, Racing Royalty, dedicated to honoring the equine stars of Thoroughbred racing. From Hall of Fame legends like A.P. Indy and Cigar to modern champions such as Zenyatta, American Pharoah, and Rachel Alexandra, this series will spotlight the horses whose brilliance has defined \u201cThe Sport of Kings.\u201d<\/p>\n
While fans fill the grandstands, it\u2019s the athletes on the track\u2014the horses and their jockeys\u2014who reign supreme. Their speed, spirit, and skill create electrifying drama that makes racing a timeless spectacle.<\/p>\n
Edited by author, journalist, and horse racing historian Jennifer S. Kelly, Racing Royalty will feature accessibly written volumes that appeal to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.<\/p>\n
\u201cRacing Royalty represents an opportunity to connect the kings and queens of horse racing with the generations who cheered them on and the ones who want to know more about these icons,\u201d said Kelly. \u201cThe University Press of Kentucky leads the way in preserving the sport’s history to understand our past, appreciate our present, and plan for the future of this great game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Press plans to publish two to four titles annually, with the first releases arriving in May 2026, just in time for the Kentucky Derby and Keeneland Spring Meets.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
Spring 2026 Racing Royalty Titles<\/p>\n
\u201cHoly Bull: An Unconventional Path to Racing Glory\u201d This compelling biography captures the spirit of 1994\u2019s Horse of the Year, tracing Holy Bull\u2019s journey from humble beginnings to Hall of Fame greatness. Hunter\u2019s vivid storytelling immerses readers in the grit of the stables and the thrill of the racetrack, offering a heartfelt tribute to a horse whose determination inspired a generation.<\/p>\n \u201cBrilliant. Avalyn Hunter has done excellent research, and the prose wings along like Holy Bull himself.\u201d \u2014Katherine C. Mooney, author of \u201cIsaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn exceptional story about both an outstanding Thoroughbred and an exemplary owner\/trainer who prioritized the horse above all.\u201d \u2014Mark Shrager, author of \u201cThe Greatest Racehorse? Man o’ War and the Judgment of History.\u201d<\/p>\n “A.P. Indy: Champion Racehorse and Breed-Shaping Sire” In this vivid portrait, Shulman explores the life and legacy of A.P. Indy, one of the most influential Thoroughbreds in racing history. Through first-hand accounts and interviews with trainers, owners, breeders, and jockeys, Shulman reveals the heart and heritage of a horse whose impact continues to shape the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cA fresh addition to the narrative of one of the most significant horses in Thoroughbred history.\u201d \u2014Josh Pons, Eclipse Award\u2013winning author of \u201cLetters from Country Life: Adolphe Pons, Man o’ War, and the Founding of Maryland’s Oldest Thoroughbred Farm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a special book\u2014like reading an authorized biography. Shulman\u2019s writing brings A.P. Indy\u2019s story to life.\u201d \u2014Eliza McGraw, Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award\u2013winning author of \u201cHere Comes Exterminator! The Longshot Horse, the Great War, and the Making of an American Hero,\u201d and \u201cAstride: Horses, Women, and a Partnership That Shaped America.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Paulick Report<\/a> on Sep 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The University Press of Kentucky is proud to announce the launch of a new book series, Racing Royalty,…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":203756,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[112428,1022,171,23125,112432,23124,112429,112425,112430,112431,112426,67,132,112427,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-203755","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-books","8":"tag-a-p-indy","9":"tag-books","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-horse-racing","12":"tag-jennifer-s-kelly","13":"tag-kentucky-derby","14":"tag-lenny-shulman","15":"tag-racing-royalty","16":"tag-royalty-titles","17":"tag-thoroughbred-history","18":"tag-thoroughbred-racing","19":"tag-united-states","20":"tag-unitedstates","21":"tag-university-press-of-kentucky","22":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115154784548346053","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203755"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203755\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/203756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/strong>By Avalyn Hunter<\/p>\n
<\/strong>By Lenny Shulman<\/p>\n