Illustrator Lorin Chasar was surprised to know Black jockeys were involved in the inception of the Kentucky Derby. Writer Sultan Zeshan told her about a series of books he was working on about the history of Black equestrians. She was surprised to learn that many of the Black jockeys were whitewashed from records of the historical race, so much so that people are under the impression that Blacks haven’t been a part of the Derby festivities until recently. Chasar jumped at the opportunity to shine a light on the race’s authentic history and eagerly told Zeshan she would illustrate his series.
“I immediately wanted to be a part of it right away. My love for history, especially Black history, made it a passion project,” she says.
It was her first time illustrating a book, but Chasar says she welcomed the challenge.
“I did extensive research on old photographs and paintings of jockeys and their horses. I read as much as I could about jockeys and their horses. The first derby was in 1875, [and] things looked very different, so I [deeply studied] the style of clothing,” Chasar explains.
“Zeshan and I collaborated a lot because it was his vision. While writing, everyone envisions the story in their mind. I presented the initial sketches, and together, we would refine the ideas so that we were in alignment,” Chasar says.
The two worked nonstop on Legendary Equestrians and Jockey Young’Uns creating two beautiful books for children that illustrate the history African Americans contributed to the Kentucky Derby.
The projects afforded Chasar some amazing memories in Louisville, Kentucky, at Churchhill Downs, home of the Derby.
“My fondest memories of this project [are] going to Kentucky and seeing the place [where] these men lived and raced their horses. We went to the 2023 Kentucky Derby and even went to their gravesites. Some of the graves were still unmarked, which is heartbreaking. We visited the farms where they lived and trained their horses,” Chasar says.
The 2024 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
