Racing To Glory: Introduction

The Black Horsemen That Shaped American Racing

The rise of Thoroughbred racing is a story nearly forgotten, along with it’s unsung heroes: Black horsemen. These superstars dominated the winner’s circle in racing’s first three decades and won 15 of the first 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. From Oliver Lewis, the 19-year-old who won the very first Kentucky Derby, to Isaac Murphy, a former slave who became the first jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. Black Jockeys soon became the most celebrated sports heroes of the late 19th century. What follows is an incredible true story of the Black horsemen that broke all of the rules and social norms to rise to greatness.

The story of the Black experience in the stables of the South and on the country’s tracks goes far beyond sport, offering a microcosm of the country itself and the difficult issues it faced. Human slavery, reconstruction and the repressive Jim Crow legislation still haunt this country today. Our story tells the tale of the African American experience in the stables and on the tracks here in Kentucky. Racing To Glory will begin to pull the curtain back on these amazing stories.

Why Now?

Great strides have been made to unmask this history in the last 25 years with well-researched publications by authors such as Pellom McDaniels, Katherine Mooney, Joe Drape, Ed Hotaling, Mary Jean Wall and others. Their works have sparked public interest and a growing number of exhibits across the country, celebrating the great Black jockeys and trainers of the past particularly.

While this has been a great step forward – Racing To Glory will begin to pull the curtain back to examine the experiences of these men on a national scale and to celebrate the names and rich stories of those other forgotten Black horsemen who, with their unique skills, toiled in America’s stables and on its tracks. With each passing year, access to these stories is disappearing, and that is why Racing To Glory needs document the incredible legacy before it’s too late.

“Black jockeys, so often unremembered for their role in the sport of kings, deserve a place of honor in our chronicles of African American sports history. The Kentucky Derby and the other Triple Crown races should never forget that the men who laid the groundwork for these great events were largely men of color.”

Arthur Ashe

World Renowned Tennis Champion & Civil Rights Activist

Style & Tone

Envisioning a captivating, cinematic journey, we’ll immerse audiences in the world of trailblazing athletes through stunning visuals and intense competition. Painstakingly restored photographs and innovative animations will breathe life into the past, while diverse, eloquent interviewees—from historians to horse racing insiders—offer invaluable insights into the lives and legacies of these pioneering jockeys.

In ‘Racing To Glory,’ we celebrate the groundbreaking African American jockeys who revolutionized horse racing. With a respectful and reverential tone, the film explores their remarkable achievements and resilience against adversity. Combining meticulous research and insightful interviews, our documentary delves into their lives, challenges, and triumphs, highlighting the historical significance of these trailblazers while addressing representation and diversity in modern horse racing. ‘Racing To Glory’ serves as an inspiring educational resource and a testament to the indomitable human spirit, empowering a new generation of athletes and advocates for equality in sports.

Visual Approach

Financials

In the production of ‘Racing To Glory,’ we anticipate a total budget of approximately $250,000, which includes pre-production, filming, post-production, marketing, and distribution. We will initiate a comprehensive fundraising campaign that leverages a mix of sources, including grants, sponsorships, crowdfunding, and private investors. Our goal is to secure the necessary funds while maintaining creative control and ensuring the highest quality production values.

We are confident that ‘Racing To Glory’ will appeal to a wide audience, making it an attractive acquisition for streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. In recent years, these platforms have shown a growing interest in documentaries that explore underrepresented stories and themes. By aligning with this trend, we position ‘Racing To Glory’ for potential licensing or purchase deals.

Additionally, we aim to explore opportunities with public broadcasting services, such as PBS and local networks, to further expand the reach of our documentary. Partnering with these outlets will not only increase the visibility of ‘Racing To Glory’ but also provide an alternative avenue for audiences who may not have access to popular streaming services.

Lastly, we will pursue distribution deals with brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart to make ‘Racing To Glory’ available on physical media. This strategy will cater to a broader audience and enable us to tap into the market of consumers who prefer owning physical copies of films or have limited access to high-speed internet for streaming.

With these diverse distribution channels in mind, we are optimistic that ‘Racing To Glory’ will achieve widespread recognition, making a lasting impact on audiences and securing a strong return on investment for our backers.

Considering similar documentary productions, we anticipate a licensing fee in the range of $500,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the specific streaming service and the scope of the agreement. Should the film garner critical acclaim and a strong audience response, this figure could increase, generating an attractive return on investment for our financial backers. Moreover, partnering with a major streaming platform will significantly boost the film’s visibility, potentially leading to further opportunities, such as international distribution deals, film festival exposure, and awards recognition. Ultimately, by creating a high-quality, compelling documentary and securing the support of a top streaming service, we believe ‘Racing To Glory’ has the potential to achieve both financial success and a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Comparables

Oculus Studios, an acclaimed Lexington-based marketing and advertising agency, specializes in crafting meaningful stories that resonate with contemporary audiences. With a remarkable track record of over 100 AAF Awards, 20+ Emmys, and 50+ Telly Awards, we pride ourselves on employing cutting-edge production equipment and techniques to create compelling narratives.

Pinnacle Productions, an award-winning film company, boasts over two decades of experience in development, fundraising, and fostering connections with donors and supporters. As storytellers for nonprofit agencies worldwide, we understand the unique requirements of modern nonprofit development professionals. Our state-of-the-art film and media services empower organizations dedicated to making a difference.

Pooling our collective expertise, which spans more than 30 years of professional cinematography and storytelling prowess, we are confident that ‘Racing To Glory’ will be an outstanding documentary that does justice to the incredible stories waiting to be shared.