Recently I read Horse by Geraldine Brooks, which is an historical fiction account of Lexington. (Review to come!), who says this book is “A vivid portrait of America’s greatest stallion, the larger-than-life men who raced and bred him, and the dramatic times in which they lived.” I’d have to agree.

I love watching the Triple Crown every year. Even when there’s no chance of a Triple Crown winner, you’ll find my husband and myself watching The Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes. If I remember, in the fall, I watch the Breeder’s Cup. I’m a casual fan, and have read about the history of the races and certain horses, but I had never heard of Lexington. It’s time that this and future generations learn about this extraordinary horse in racing history.

If you’re expecting another book with soaring prose like Seabiscuit, you’d be wrong. The book reads more like a story than a non-fiction book, like Seabiscuit, but that book was more memoir than historical record. Lexington is a history of the modern thoroughbred in America, not just about the horse but the people surrounding him: his owners, his trainers, his black jockeys, and his offspring.

You don’t have to love horse racing like I do to be interested in how the sport changed with the introduction of Darley, later named Lexington after the city he came from. He was an exceptionally strong and fast horse, who ran the fastest 4-mile race in history on a terrible track that chewed up his shoes and feet. He was at a disadvantage while racing, because improper care during an illness had left him completely blind in one eye and failing sight in the other. Somehow, Lexington still managed to run faster than any other horse.

The impact of Lexington as a sire is extraordinary: of the thirteen Triple Crown winners, 12 have lineage that leads back to Lexington. Of the first 20 of the major races held including the Triple Crown, the Saratoga Stakes, the Kentucky Oaks and Travers Stakes, his descendants won most of the races. His legacy lives on to this day in the most of the Horse of the Year selections, including 2022’s pick: Flightline.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lexington will be released July 2023.

I recently read Horse by Geraldine Brooks and so I was excited to read Lexington by Kim Wickens. The books are very different because one is a novel and Lexington is non-fiction. I was reading along and about a third of the way through the book Lexington's racing career is over. I thought now is the rest of the book going to be about which horses were sired by Lexington? That is definitely part of story but the book goes into a lot of the history around the Civil War.

I found Lexington a little dry in parts but overall it is an enjoyable read. People that are really into the horse industry or horse racing will enjoy this book. It was amazing how many winning horses trace their lineage back to this one horse.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Lexington. #Lexington #NetGalley #Kim Wickens

This book is a biography of a horse featured in 2022 novel by Geraldine Brooks. This book would offer much additional information on the history of race horses to the readers of the novel. KIm Wickens' book centers on the life of Lexington and two people most influential in Lexington's life: Richard Ten Broeck who turned Lexington into a successful race horse and Robert Aitcheson Alexander who made him a champion stud I enjoyed reading about these unknown to me people and learning equine terminology. It was quite unexpected to realize that horses while powerful animals are so fragile, and training a horse for a race requires a mixture of cold calculus, gamble, hard work and a skill of a good jockey. But of course the most touching part of the narrative is Lexington's tragic life story and his "bottom". The strength of his spirit is quite inspiring and Kim Wickens succeeds in relating to reader Lexington's significance as a horse "without a peer."
Another interesting aspect of the book is the description of historical background against which the story develops. Kim shows the brutality of Civil War era with considerable skill.
Kim Wickens' writing lends the book authenticity and liveliness and her obvious love for the subject makes reading captivating. The depth of her research is also impressive, The period quotes she is selecting offer an interesting social commentary on the times past. Thanks to these qualities the book's appeal goes well beyond strictly horse enthusiasts.

While I don't read a lot of nonfiction, I couldn't pass up the chance to read Lexington. As a horse person, I love reading accounts of the horses of our past. I don't know a lot about the horse racing industry, but really enjoyed learning about Lexington and how he is the root of many of the huge racehorses we know today. Wickens wrote a remarkable account of this grand stallion and his effect on the industry today.

Whether you are a horse person, a history buff, or simply just interested in the horse racing industry, Lexington is a wonderful historical account of one of the most legendary racehorses and stallions.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

I really wanted to love this book as I recently read Horse by Geraldine Brooks which I loved. This book is also about the racehorse Lexington, but it reads more like a nonfiction book and wasn't as easy to read as Horse. I wold recommend reading this first if you plan to also read Horse. I'm giving it a four star rating even though it wasn't for me because it was very well-researched and tells a fascinating story.

Lexington is a fun historical look at one of the most important athletic figures in American history: Lexington the racehorse.

Reading Lexington is not like reading Ron Chernow who is one of the best writers in historical books. Kim Wickens delivers a fun story looking at horse racing and American history.

This is a wonderful book about the US history of a very famous thoroughbred horse in the mid 1800’s that sired most of the future Triple Crown winners here in the US. The reader will learn all they want to know about how racing in this country evolved. I love horse racing and felt this read was very timely as we are still in the midst of the best that horse racing has to offer. The author took a tremendous about of history and told the story in a very readable style including Civil War events related to the story. I really enjoyed it and if you are a horse fan you will as well. It is not a fast read but one you will absolutely want to finish. Lexington was a one-of-a-kind horse and set the standards for thoroughbreds in this country

I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books or allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was given an advance reading copy (arc) of the book from the publisher and NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. I would have never picked this book to read on my own, but when the publisher asked if I would read it, I agreed. I am so glad I did. Lexington is a well-researched and well-written book about the famous racehorse that didn't let blindness or illness keep him from not only winning races, but siring hundreds and hundreds of offspring. Even today, many of the most successful racehorses can trace their bloodline back to Lexington. In addition, author Kim Wickens introduced us to Richard Ten Broeck who went from being expelled from West Point to one of the most successful racetrack owners in history. He not only bought Lexington but gave him that famous name. He then sold the horse to another breeder, Robert Aitcheson Alexander. Alexander was a physically frail man who saw the breeding potential in Lexington. He brought the horse to Kentucky where his horse farm, Woodburn, was located. In addition to Lexington's story, Wickens not only details the evolution of horseracing in America, but also the events of the Civil War when soldiers as well as outlaws were stealing horses from their breeders. Lexington, Ten Broeck, and Alexander were all underdogs at some point, but they rose up to any occasion presented. Put together, it all makes a fine tale that keeps the reader's interest.

An informative and interesting new book by Kim Wickens is called “Lexington: the Extraordinary and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse.” It was a book I didn’t know was missing in my life. I’ve read the books on Man o’ War, Seabiscuit and Secretariat and these are up there with those books.

We follow the life of Lexington, a horse born in the mid 1800s who would change the course of horse racing and thoroughbreds in America. However it doesn’t only trace the specific history of the horse; it also incorporates other things from the Civil War and other events. They are woven into the story in a way that is interesting and makes sense.

It is amazing what is in the history books and what isn’t. This book included details and information I had never thought of expecting like the corn incident! The distances the horses had to run were extreme and so different from what they do today. What they put these horses through is wild. In general I feel like I learned a lot and it kept my interest. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you #Netgalley and Balentine @Randomhouse for the e-ARC.

This is an interesting book, written by someone who is passionate about the racing world and 19th century history. Wickens spent the better part of a decade researching this book mostly from primary sources that, after decades of neglect, left her to page through masses of originals in various collections across the country.

I am not a fan of the horse racing world. Personally, I believe that breeding horses (or any animal) for a narrow use, especially a use that wears the animal out in its youth is irresponsible and often cruel. Both of my horses are rescues, and through the horse rescue world I’ve seen what can happen on the back end of this type of horse breeding and use. There is an acronym for ex-racehorses OTTB – Off the Track Thoroughbreds, at events you can usually call the OTTBs based on their general fear. To say I went in with a chip on my shoulder reading this would be light, but I also wanted to give this book a shot and I’m glad I did.

Lexington is a foundational American sire in the US horse racing world, and his genetics may have made stronger horses that could endure lives of racing better than most. Wickens does a really admeriable job of defining just why Lexington was such a standalone horse, not only for his speed, but for his accomplishments while blinded, the neglect/incompetence that led to his blinding, and his long and successful run as a stud. She also follows his skeleton, donated to the Smithsonian and the fight to have it released back to the public. This is an expansive and interesting story for anyone who knows horses.

Wickens follows the lives of his owners and touches on his sire and dam. The history of Kentucky during the Civil War was interesting as it related to the stud farm Lexington was on at the time. There are a few chapters that I’m not sure they were necessary, maybe just to make the story more exciting. We have an indepth look at the guerilla gangs that stole a number of Lexington’s offspring during the Civil War and a long passage on Custer. Really don’t think this needed Custer.

I do think that there were opportunities for Wickens to push back even more than she does on the history and the current world of horse racing. When it comes to enslaved and freed black grooms, trainers and jockeys Wickens focuses heavily on what is listed in the original records, and through end notes does give additional details or conflicting details as they are available, but this could have been a richer source of information for this book. The use and abuse of Black men and boys in the horse industry along with glory grabbing needs to be fleshed out in text. The training methods are explained well, but when dangerous methods are employed, the Wickens pulls back, states it dangerous and then moves on. Some of these practices are still employed, this could be a time to call out those practices for current race fans. This year alone, seven horses died in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, that was an abnormally large number, but still points to issues that need to be addressed.

Overall, I do recommend this book to people who are interested in the Civil War, horse racing or the development of horse breeds in America.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

What a fascinating book! Lexington was, truly, the horse that began the modern American Thoroughbred. Wickens's incredible effort gives life to the horse that awed thousands upon thousands of people in his races. He was a horse with "bottom," as they said in the 19th century, one with an enduring spirit who lost none of his confidence even as he lost much of his sight. The historical context around him is intriguing, too. The book discusses the changing American racing industry, New Orleans, the British racing industry, and also spends quite a bit of time on the Civil War and the perils that Lexington and his farm endured due to Confederate guerilla raiders. This is really a great example of modern narrative nonfiction.

You don't have to bet on horses to know that life isn't fair, but it's as good a way to learn as any. In a perfectly fair world, Kim Wickens's LEXINGTON: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND TURBULENT TIMES OF AMERICA'S LEGENDARY RACEHORSE would be judged entirely on its own merits. And those merits are very good indeed. Wickens has taken the story of a half-remembered racehorse from the antebellum era and infused it with new life, and glory to her.

But--heh heh heh--this ain't a fair world, now is it, and my best guess here is that many of you (most of you?) will react the same way that I did, which is to say that I enjoyed this book the first time I read it, when it was called SEABISCUIT. Which was a genuine hit at the time, a tour de force, a relentless bolt of lightning of a book,. Not to mention the affecting story of author Laura Hillenbrand and her personal travails with illness.

Now, I think that it is, you know, perfectly normal to think that, well, you've read one long book about a historical racehorse, and you don't have to read another. Which you don't. I mean, nobody is making you read anything here. You don't have to read at all! You can go into the kitchen and make oatmeal raisin cookies, and then eat a hot oatmeal raisin cookie out of the oven, and burn your tongue, and drink some milk to make your hurt tongue feel better, and then when your family gets back from dance lessons they will gripe because you didn't make chocolate chip cookies instead. So maybe reading was a good idea after all.

So, to get back on track for a second here, it is not only unfair to compare the Lexington book to the Seabiscuit book, it's reductionist and lazy. This is not just because these are two different books about two different horses in two different eras. This is because (deep breath here) they are entirely two different animals. So to speak. (Yes, I know they're both horses, shut up). The two books are different genres altogether.

SEABISCUIT is a memoir. It is written in incredibly skillful prose, with larger-than-life characters and tells the story that's only unfamiliar because we've forgotten about it, despite it being incredibly well-documented. And that's fine! Nothing wrong with that. But LEXINGTON is not that.

LEXINGTON (dropping the long subtitle here) is a history, which is different. It is not in any way lyrical, and certainly isn't romantic. Wickens doesn't have the advantages that Hillenbrand had--no one is alive who remembers seeing Lexington run, and the historical record is much thinner. To counterbalance things, LEXINGTON has a much broader scope, embracing the topics of enslaved jockeys and Quantrill's Raiders and nineteenth-century taxidermy. Hillenbrand is telling the story of a horse; Wickens is tracing the (surprisingly broad) impact of a horse on history.

Lexington raced in a racing era that isn't recognizable today, not least because his bloodline changed so much of it; Seabiscuit (among most other racehorses whose name you may know) is a descendant, so was the first Kentucky Derby winner. In the pre-war, pre-PETA era, Lexington ran not only four miles but multiple back-to-back four-mile heats. Lexington was hired by one of the great promoters of the era, and dominated the New Orleans tracks that were then the center of the racing world.

Lexington's career doesn't have quite the elan of Seabiscuit's--there aren't any celebrities or hundred-grand races, but it was a different era and in many ways more colorful. Where Hillenbrand gives short shrift to Seabiscuit's career as a stallion, Wickens extends her story far beyond Lexington's racing career to his impact as a sire--not only of racehorses but of warhorses. And Lexington has an issue to deal with that Seabiscuit never had--he loses his sight due to a heroic bout of overeating, of all things.

It was Twain who said that "It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races." You can't help the comparison, unfair though it might be. I take the view that LEXINGTON does not, and need not, stand in the shadow of SEABISCUIT. Wickens has taken a single thread out of the nineteenth-century tapestry and embellished upon it, making it sparkle against the harsh background of slavery and war. If you only want to read one book about bygone racehorses, maybe you should consider reading two. Or making chocolate chip cookies this time.

Be still my horse-crazy girl's heart. I grew up with horses filling my days and mind and this book by Kim Wickens took me right back to those days. You could almost feel her excitement for her topic vibrating in the air. Although Wickens, who does dressage, did extensive research, which can often result in dry reading, this one captures the feel of an exciting, turbulent time, not a simple recitation of facts. In other words, a good read.

I won't attempt to summarize Lexington's entire story here. Instead, some personal reactions and things you may or may not know about horse racing "back in the day". For instance, think about what we recognize as the typical horse race nowadays. One race, then, win or lose, back to the barn. Lexington's time was different. Horses ran in heats, usually a mile. Yes, some races today are of that length. But, in Lexington's time the horses ran repeated heats with only a 45 minute rest between until one horse was successful in winning two of them. That meant some races went on for many heats. Lexington won his early fame in just that environment. Speed and endurance. Nor did they travel in leisurely style when it was time to move on to the next location, often traveling by steamboat or train or, for that matter, afoot. Lexington was definitely not the pampered race horse we might imagine. He was also going blind.

Horse racing in the mod-1800's, Lexington's time, was both a sporting and social event in the South. Then the Civil War broke out. Not to be crude, but the military was desperate for horses during that time and race horses were not excluded. The story of how Lexington's owner, Ten Broeck, struggled amidst the turbulent times to keep him safe is fascinating. Yet, at the time the book was written, 12 of 13 of the Triple Crown winners could trace their lineage back to Lexington. He was truly a remarkable horse and his story is equally remarkable.

Bottom line, whether you're drawn to this because of a love or horses, history, or just plain ol' curiosity, it's well worth a read. Seriously, I've only touched the surface. Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHousePublishingGroup - #BallantineBooks for allowing me to revisit my horse-crazy girl days.

Disclaimer: ARV via the publisher and Netgalley

If the horse Lexington sounds familiar too you and you aren’t much of an American history or horse history fan, there is a good chance that you’ve read or heard of Geraldine Brooks’ Horse which came out last year. Kim Wickens’ Lexington is a history of the horse that dominates that story. Considering the publication time between the two books and the amount of research involved in both, it is highly unlikely that either woman was inspired by the other’s book, though I like to imagine the two of them crossing paths while researching and chatting. (Brooks’ blurb for Lexington does appear on the author’s website, so anything is possible right?)
Lexington, the book, is about the horse of the same name. He was famous in his time for his success on the race track. Wickens chronicles the lives of those who bred and owned the horses as well as those who struggle to make sure that the horse is not forgotten and is eventually, in the form of his bones, returned to the state of his birth.
It would be fair to say that I have read better descriptions of races; however, Wickens does a good job in capturing what it most have been like to view the race. Her most vivid writing actually comes in the middle section of the book and involves the saga of Lexington’s offspring and the American Civil War. It involves cross dressing and horse napping among other things. I do wish in discussing Lexington’s breeder there had more discussion about the man’s marriage. There are a few sentences that hint at issues but they are not fully discussed or mentioned.
The groom that is a part of Brooks’ book does not get much focus here, but that really isn’t the point of the book. It should be noted that while Wickens is more focused on the horse in history and on the men who moved the horse though that history via training, racing, and breeding, she does present the complexities of black jockeys in the pre-Civil War South in more detail than one would except or hope for in a book focusing on horse.
What also comes across quite clearly and carries the book through some of the repetitive places, is how much Wickens loves her subject and how fascinating she finds it. She is able to make paperwork shuffles between museums sound exciting because of how much she loves this horse.
Well worth the read if you are interested in American history or the history of horses.

This book is a fictionalized account of the life of the famous racehorse, Lexington. The novel follows the famous Thoroughbred from his birth in 1835 to his death in 1875, and it tells the story of not only the horse, but also of the people who were involved in his life, including his owners, trainers, and jockeys.
The author does an excellent job of bringing Lexington to life. She describes his physical appearance in great detail, from his powerful muscles to his sleek coat. She also captures his personality, which was both gentle and fierce. Lexington was a loyal and loving horse, but he was also a fierce competitor who always gave his all in a race.
The novel also provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of horse racing in the 19th century. Wicken describes the training methods that were used, the different types of races that were held, and the gambling that was often associated with horse racing. She also explores the role of slavery in the sport, as many of the horses that raced were owned by slave owners.
The relationship between Lexington and his groom, Jarret, is quite captivating. Jarret was a slave who was given the responsibility of caring for Lexington. He quickly developed a deep bond with the horse, and he was fiercely protective of him. Jarret's loyalty to Lexington is one of the most moving aspects of the novel.
One of the things that I found to be engaging about the novel is the way that Wicken explores the relationship between humans and animals. Lexington is clearly a very intelligent and sensitive creature, and Wicken does a good job of showing how he interacts with the humans in his life. Jarret is particularly important to Lexington, and the two of them form a deep bond. Wicken also explores the relationship between Lexington and his owners, who are both fond of the horse but also see him as a valuable commodity.
Another interesting aspect of the novel is the way that Wicken deals with the issue of slavery. Lexington is a slave, and his owner is a wealthy plantation owner. The author does not shy away from the harsh realities of slavery, and she shows how it affects both Lexington and the people around him. Jarret, for example, is a slave who is given the responsibility of caring for Lexington. He quickly develops a deep bond with the horse, and he is fiercely protective of him. Jarret's loyalty to Lexington is one of the most moving aspects of the novel.
This book is 416 pages and can seem slow paced at times. Some of the characters could be better developed, and the ending felt abrupt to me. Despite these caveats, I did enjoy the time I spent reading LEXINGTON. I am a horse lover and will note that the descriptions of Lexington’s medical issues made me cringe – my animal lover’s heart went out to the stallion again and again as his struggles were documented.
Overall, this novel is well-written and engaging. I was fascinated to learn the story of one of the most important horses in American history. Wicken does an excellent job of bringing Lexington to life, and she also provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of horse racing in the 19th century. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in horses, history, or simply a good story.

I want to thank Random House -Ballantine Books for allowing me to read and review an ARC of Lexington, a non-fiction book, by author Kim Wickens.
Part 1 was mainly about Lexington, a very special horse in the mid 1800’s. About how he won many records in spite of becoming blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. When he raced nothing else mattered!
I learned a lot about the early years of racing and how the horses were trained. Learned that the jockeys had to come out with their saddles for weighing to avoid cheating and that only a few pounds extra weight on the jockey cost valuable seconds.
Also transporting the horses on, trains, steamships or even on foot wasn’t easy.
Lexington had real personality!
I began part 2 and felt the book became tedious to me.
I stopped reading then.
Lexington publishes 07/11/2023.

Lexington by Kim Wickens
Wonderful book! I’ve been a horse lover since a child, so this book was one I had been interested in reading. I had really never heard of Lexington, or didn’t pay attention to any references I had come across before. This is quite a fantastic story about a horse who raced and won, despite some early health issues. I didn’t realize that horses raced four miles in that time period. He even set beat the record for the fastest four miles. It’s hard to believe that he accomplished so much with eyesight problems. It makes you wonder what more he could have accomplished. The author delves into a lot of history in this book. Some of it was a little hard to grind through, but she definitely did a ton of research! It was very well written. At the end of the book, she has researched how Lexington is in the pedigrees of so many racehorses. That was very interesting. If you love horses and have even a small interest in racehorses and racing, you will definitely enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I was excited to find this because I had just finished reading Horse by Geraldine Brooks, and this was the perfect addition to learn more about the history of Lexington. It was beautifully written, like a story more than dry historical facts, which I think is the best way to learn something!

Kim Wickens' meticulous and exciting story of 19th century horse racing is told through the experience of the remarkable Lexington, who may already be familiar to you. The Thoroughbred is one of the heroes of Geraldine Brooks' "Horse"--a terrific book, but "Lexington" is even more un-put-downable as Wickens dives into the world of antebellum gambling and entertainment. What a treat!

Horse racing was hugely popular in early America, and betting on horses racing down a dirt road or around a track was the main form of entertainment. It was different from modern racing in that horses ran four mile heats, rested 45 minutes and ran another four miles. In this format, no horse was faster than Lexington. Racing tracks began to pop up all over the south with some fine tracks in the north as well. We meet the characters who built the tracks and owned the horses, learn how horses were transported on riverboats and trains, and see Lexington lose his sight and continue to race until he is retired to stud.

That should be the end of the story, right? Not at all. The horse's post retirement life, (as he becomes a great-great granddaddy of great racers) troubles during the Civil War, and postmortem story are all completely gripping.. Chaos swirls around him, but Lexington remains a firm center, joyfully running like the wind, covering mares and rolling in the Kentucky bluegrass. This book is a model of great non-fiction.

So many thinks to Ballantine and Netgalley for reaching out to me to review this book. I loved every page.

Gambling was both pastime and a way of life for the American southerner in the 1800's, before the Civil War racked the nation. The northern states had become more puritanical about gambling, but the South made up for any perceived shortcomings, betting on anything and everything. Horse racing was very popular, and there was great competition to breed the finest, fastest, soundest horses to prove themselves on the track.

Races were run in heats, until one horse won two heats, a process that could take a goodly part of the day. The first heat would be run, a distance varying from one to four miles. The horses would get a recovery period, their jockeys needing the rest as much as their mounts. The heats would be repeated until there was a double winner.

Lexington arrived on the scene and demonstrated his ability to win these races, taking a world record for a four-mile heat before blindness ended his career on the track. His progeny were the top money winners into the future. Now he was in great demand as a sire. The Civil War brought chaos to the region, and Confederate soldiers raided the Thoroughbred farms, with Lexington as a prime target.

His bloodline survived the war, and makes a noticeable imprint in the stud books today when you look at the Triple Crown winners.. There have been 13 Triple Crown winners, and 12 go back to Lexington. This book tells the story of fast horses, fast times, and the people and horses who made it happen.