Horse

Historically, the significant contributions made by Black horsemen to Thoroughbred turf racing have been omitted from literature about the sport. This is a symptom of the general absence of Black representation and failure to honor Black stories in the collective history of the United States. In Horse, these stories are unveiled through the emblematic character of Jarret, who stands as a testament to the passion, dedication, and sacrifices of Black horsemen. Throughout the novel, Jess and Theo begin to uncover evidence of these contributions. However, the majority of Jarret’s story—and the stories of the other Black people who cared for Lexington and his kin—remains known only to the reader, who alone is privy to the full details of Lexington’s life.

The true origins and eventual destinations of the Lexington skeleton and paintings remain unknown to many who had them in their possession. The reader is the only participant in the story who can truly appreciate the journey these objects have taken and understand the indignity of where they ended up: dumped in a trash heap and abandoned in an attic. Only the reader learns that the last Thomas J. Scott painting not accounted for, considered “missing” by the art world, found its way to Jarret, Lexington’s rightful owner.