New Tampa Exhibit Shines Light on Black Pioneers in Horse Racing

The 'Heart of the Turf' exhibit highlights African Americans' foundational role in the sport, from star jockeys to trainers.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A new traveling exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center is shining a light on the long-overlooked contributions of Black pioneers in horse racing. The exhibit, titled 'The Heart of the Turf: Racing's Black Pioneers,' was brought to Tampa by the Keeneland Library in Lexington, Kentucky. It showcases the stories of African American jockeys, trainers, grooms, and other horsemen who were instrumental in building the sport, before their heritage and accomplishments were largely forgotten or erased over time.

Why it matters

Horse racing has deep roots in the African American community, with Black horsemen once dominating the sport as jockeys, trainers, and other key roles. However, their vital contributions have been marginalized and overshadowed throughout history. This exhibit aims to reclaim that lost legacy and celebrate the pioneering Black figures who laid the foundation for modern horse racing.

The details

The exhibit features portraits and biographies of influential Black horsemen, including jockeys who won 16 of the first 28 Kentucky Derbies since 1875. It also highlights the stories of grooms, exercise riders, and other support staff whose labor and expertise were essential to the sport. Despite facing discrimination and segregation, these African American horsemen were the 'heart of the turf' in the early days of American horse racing.

  • The exhibit opened at the Tampa Bay History Center on February 12, 2026.
  • It will be on display at the museum until May 2026.

The players

Roda Ferraro

The library director of Keeneland, an equine sports facility in Lexington, Kentucky, who brought the 'Heart of the Turf' exhibit to Tampa.

Greg Harbut

An African American horse owner who made history by bringing his horse to the 2020 Kentucky Derby, facing pushback due to racial tensions that year.

Ray Daniels

An African American who co-owned the horse Necker Island, which ran in the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

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What they’re saying

“Chances are that if you were at a racetrack in New York, in Florida, in Kentucky, you were going to see a dominance of Black riders, and you were going to know there was a strong contingent of Black horsemen on the scenes.”

— Roda Ferraro, Library Director, Keeneland (fox13news.com)

“If you talk to Greg and Ray Daniels and others that brought Necker Island to the 2020 Derby, they will recount stories of getting a lot of pushback about running a horse in that race in that town as African Americans. Their response was, 'Yeah, we're going to run that horse and we may never get there again and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reach an international audience with our stories and the stories of people that came before us.'”

— Roda Ferraro, Library Director, Keeneland (fox13news.com)

What’s next

The 'Heart of the Turf' exhibit will continue its tour to other cities after its run at the Tampa Bay History Center ends in May 2026.

The takeaway

This exhibit serves as an important reminder of the vital, yet often overlooked, contributions that African Americans have made to the sport of horse racing. By shining a light on these pioneering Black horsemen, it helps to reclaim their rightful place in the history and legacy of this beloved American pastime.