Price: $46.20
Immerse yourself in the riveting true saga of the legendary Thoroughbred racehorse, a beacon of hope in the tumultuous Civil War-era South, who rose to international acclaim and etched his name as the most successful sire in American racing history. This NATIONAL BESTSELLER paints a vivid tapestry of America’s greatest stallion, the larger-than-life men who raced and bred him, and the remarkable era they inhabited, as acclaimed by Geraldine Brooks, the author of ‘Horse’.
Discover the compelling tale of the champion Thoroughbred, a symbol of resilience and strength during the turbulent times of the Civil War-era South, who ascended to global fame and became the most fruitful sire in the annals of American racing history. The nascent days of American horse racing were demanding, characterized by exhausting four-mile races, run two or three times back-to-back, rewarding horses that embodied the perfect balance of endurance and velocity.
Born and named after the city of Lexington in Kentucky, the stallion Lexington was a paragon of these sought-after attributes, revered by the pioneering Americans. He broke the world speed record for a four-mile race, inspiring a war-ravaged nation that extraordinary feats were achievable even amidst the direst of circumstances. Despite a triumphant racing career, Lexington was forced into retirement in 1855 due to deteriorating eyesight. However, his retirement marked the beginning of his illustrious legacy as a sire.
His bloodline produced horses that won more money than any other Thoroughbred’s progeny, an unparalleled feat that earned Lexington the title of America’s leading sire a record sixteen times. Yet, his time at a Kentucky stud farm during the Civil War was far from tranquil. Confederate soldiers wreaked havoc, looted without restraint, and seized horses from the premier stables, with their sights set on the prized Lexington and his valuable lineage.
Kim Wickens, a lawyer and dressage rider, was captivated by this legendary horse