Interview with Thomas P. Embry, October 5, 2007

Interview Summary

Thomas "Tom" Embry, born in 1930, was raised on Briar Hill Farm where his grandparents and mother worked. He began working on the racetrack as a teenager and describes his lifelong career with horses as an exercise rider, groom, and assistant trainer. Embry shares stories of his childhood, of breaking yearlings for farms such as Forest Retreat, and working for Hamburg and Overbrook Farms after leaving the track in the 1980s. Embry also talks of the Plug Horse Derby held on Labor Day at the Red Mile in Lexington and shares stories of life on the racetrack. He reflects on life during segregation and the opportunities for African Americans in the horse industry. A Korean War veteran, Embry describes his war experiences.

Interview Keyword

African American horsemen and horsewomen Churchill Downs (Louisville, Ky. : Racetrack) Farm management Horse breeders Horse buyers Horse farms. Horse farms--Kentucky Horse industry Horse owners Horse racing Horsemanship. Horsemen and horsewomen Keeneland (Lexington, Ky.) Race horses. Racetracks (Horse racing)

Interview LC Subject

Briar Hill Farm (Ky.) Embry, Thomas P., 1930- --Interviews Forest Retreat Farm and Tavern (Ky.) Hamburg Farm (Ky.) Horse grooms--Interviews Horse trainers--Interviews Horses--Training Korean War, 1950-1953 Overbrook Farm (Ky.) Plug Horse Derby Racetracks (Horse racing) Segregation

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections and Digital Programs, University of Kentucky Libraries.