Lexington

The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse

By: Kim Wickens

Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “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.”—Geraldine Brooks, author of Horse

The powerful true story of the champion Thoroughbred racehorse who gained international fame in the tumultuous Civil War–era South, and became the most successful sire in American racing history

The early days of American horse racing were grueling. Four-mile races, run two or three times in succession, were the norm, rewarding horses who brandished the ideal combination of stamina and speed. The stallion Lexington, named after the city in Kentucky where he was born, possessed these winning qualities, which pioneering Americans prized.

Lexington shattered the world speed record for a four-mile race, showing a war-torn nation that the extraordinary was possible even in those perilous times. He would continue his winning career until deteriorating eyesight forced his retirement in 1855. But once his groundbreaking achievements as a racehorse ended, his role as a sire began. Horses from his bloodline won more money than the offspring of any other Thoroughbred—an annual success that led Lexington to be named America’s leading sire an unprecedented sixteen times.

Yet with the Civil War raging, Lexington’s years at a Kentucky stud farm were far from idyllic. Confederate soldiers ran amok, looting freely and kidnapping horses from the top stables. They soon focused on the prized Lexington and his valuable progeny.

Kim Wickens, a lawyer and dressage rider, became fascinated by this legendary horse when she learned that twelve of Thoroughbred racing's thirteen Triple Crown winners descended from Lexington. Wickens spent years meticulously researching the horse and his legacy—and with Lexington, she presents an absorbing, exciting account that transports listeners back to the raucous beginning of American horse racing and introduces them to the stallion at its heart.

©2023 Kim Wickens (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This incredible-but-true story barrels along at a Thoroughbred’s gallop. Wickens brings to life the courageous stallion Lexington and the indelible imprint he left on the American Thoroughbred breed.”—Elizabeth Letts, author of The Perfect Horse

“In this meticulously researched and skillfully drawn telling, Kim Wickens brings to vivid life the ‘forgotten horse’: Lexington. It defies belief that no book has ever been written on this near-blind Thoroughbred who left such an indelible mark on nineteenth-century horse racing.”—Lawrence Scanlan, author of The Horse God Built

“Wickens, a former attorney and current trainer, explores the life of the steed at the center of Geraldine Brooks’s superb novel Horse [in this] spirited biography of a famed Thoroughbred. Fans of horse racing and American history alike will enjoy this lively story.”—Kirkus Reviews

absolutely fabulous

well written and researched. very good narration and extremely riveting story with much historical background. highly recommend reading

The epilogue I Worth the read

Being a horse lover reading this novel about what a great horse made me smile. Today he would be bored being a sprint runner for his love was to run, run, His two owners knew he was special. Thank for a glimpse into bottom.

loved this historical story

well read and she made it interesting to listen to. Very captivating for horse lovers

A wonderfully detailed history

This story highlights american horse racing and a marvelous horse - lexington. nicely researched written and told by the narrator.

Exceptional, True Story

Absolutely loved this book! I’m a horse fanatic and I’ve never really heard of Lexington’s story until now. I loved the history of 19th century horse racing and its impact on today’s racehorses. It was also a surprise to hear some extensive civil war history sprinkled into the story of Lexington. This is a story more interesting than fiction! I also enjoyed Wickens’s writing style. It pulled me in, was extensive, but also simple at the same time.

The greatest race horse ever !

A very interesting insight into the early days of the Thoroughbred horse and the men who produced them.

Lexington a strong story of American horse history

Very entertaining and historic events that affect the history of horses, horse breeding and horse racing in the United States of America.

True story of the legendary horse Lexington.

Unlike the fictional book, entitled Horse, this is the true account of Lexington. It appears to be well researched and is very interesting. It is a better book than the fictional story.

Interesting Documentary

I enjoyed the history of the great horse and the impact he made on the horse racing and breeding industry. The story telling was somewhat marred by the mispronounciation of Louisville and a few inaccuracies related to geography. Cynthiana is not 90 miles from midway for example. Having grown up in Central Kentucky it is hard to hear the narrator say Louisville wrong over and over again.

Lexington!

This was beautifully researched and narrated. Between the wonderful book "Horse" and this one, I am so glad that Lexington is being made known to younger generations.