Cross Gate Gallery to Present Racing Memorabilia Auction Speaker Series
Weekly series brings racing legends and their connections together to share the stories behind extraordinary pieces of Thoroughbred racing history
LEXINGTON, KY (September 30, 2026) - In anticipation of the inaugural Racing Memorabilia Auction coming December 3 , Cross Gate Gallery will launch the Racing Memorabilia Auction Speaker Series, bringing together some of Thoroughbred racing’s most recognizable connections to share the stories behind remarkable pieces of horse racing history.
Beginning Oct. 8, the weekly series will give racing fans and collectors a unique opportunity to preview the auction’s collection of extraordinary rare horse racing memorabilia and hear firsthand accounts of legendary horses, jockeys, trainers and racing stables represented in the auction collection. Each Thursday evening the Speaker Series will spotlight select pieces while revealing the personal stories and connections that make them significant artifacts of the sport’s history.
The series will welcome the following speakers to Cross Gate’s Lexington Gallery - Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends, to discuss 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm and the auction’s featured Derby-winning silks; Hall of Fame jockey Steve Cauthen, who will reflect on his historic Triple Crown campaign aboard Affirmed and associated artifacts from the Harbor View Farm collection; and Janice Blake-Baeza, wife of Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza, who will share stories surrounding the extraordinary collection of trophies and photographs documenting Baeza’s celebrated riding career that included Buckpasser, Damascus, Dr. Fager, and Arts and Letters.
The series will conclude with a special change of venue, joining the Breeders’ Cup Festival in downtown Lexington for an evening devoted to “The Queen,” Zenyatta. Dottie Shirreffs, wife of Zenyatta’s late Hall of Fame trainer, John Shirreffs, will offer a deeply personal look at the beloved champion, sharing memories and the stories behind an amazing collection of Zenyatta racing treasures from her husband’s personal collection. Featured memorabilia will include Zenyatta’s racing bridle, browband, Breeders’ Cup saddlecloth and blanket, and other unique artifacts from one of racing’s most celebrated champions.
Select items in The Racing Memorabilia Auction will benefit equine welfare-related causes and organizations, including Breeders’ Cup Charities, Old Friends, and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.
Speaker Series Schedule
October 8 — Silver Charm, the Kentucky Derby’s Old Friend
Special Guest Speaker: Michael Blowen
October 15 — Affirmed and “The Kid”
Special Guest Speaker: Steve Cauthen
October 22 — The Super Sixties: The Braulio Baeza Collection
Special Guest Speaker: Janice Blake-Baeza, with Braulio Baeza special appearance
October 29 — Zenyatta: The Treasures of a Queen
Special Guest Speaker: Dottie Shirreffs
The first three Speaker Series events will take place at Cross Gate Gallery located at 431 Old Vine Street in Lexington. The October 29 event will take place at nearby 325 W. Main. St. as part of the Breeders’ Cup week downtown festivities.
Each speaker event is free with limited seating available, advance RSVP is requested. For more information, visit https://theracingmemorabiliaauction.com/speaker-series
In addition, the public is invited to preview The Racing Memorabilia Auction items at Cross Gate Gallery throughout the fall and experience these remarkable pieces of racing history in advance of the December 3 auction.
Gallery Preview Hours:
Monday–Friday | 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Breeders’ Cup Week | 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
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For more information, contact Jacqueline LeMastus at 502.554.6403 , theracingmemorabiliaauction.com