DALLAS — A Texas-bred stallion is making a name for itself, and minorities in the sport of horse racing. A 1,200 pound horse named “Black Lives Matter” is gaining notoriety after a video showing the horse win his first race in Louisiana went viral.
“He’s one of the top horses not just in our life, but in this world right now,” said James Hatley Jr., of the Hatley Brothers Racing Team. “We want him to show it and bring awareness to who we are. We are Black Americans and want people to know that Black lives truly matter.”
The Hatley brothers originally purchased their horse named, “Return Ivory”, in 2020 during the height of the social justice movement. Instead of just watching the calls for change on television, they came up with an idea to bring awareness to racial issues. While growing up in the 1960s and 70s, the brothers recalled being unwelcome by many on horse tracks around Texas.
“We wanted to make sure he stood for something because we thought he was special when we picked him out at the sale, and saw the vision,” said Ke’Elronn Hatley.
The brothers said their speedy horse has become a focal point and common denominator on a track still suffering from a racist history. That’s why they changed their stallion’s name to “Black Lives Matter”, but they said they got quick pushback from the American Quarter Horse Association.
“It’s been a struggle naming him that,” said Ke’Elronn. “The American Quarter Horse Association told me when we were getting ready to change his name that we couldn’t name him that.”
The brothers continued pushing for the name change though, citing the names of other horses that have been approved by the AQHA which included racist remarks. After weeks of back and forth, the AQHA permitted the name change.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to the American Quarter Horse Association for comment regarding the name “Black Lives Matter” for the horse, but has yet to receive a response. The Hatley’s just want their horse to continue being a source of inspiration and education for those who think minorities are incapable of success.
“This horse belongs to all of us,” said James. “It belongs to every black in the world.”