Peb donates work to Keeneland Library

Celebrated artist Peb signed his work for fans at Keeneland (Photos by Z/Keeneland Association)

Pierre Bellocq, the internationally celebrated artist better known as

"Peb," was joined by officials from Keeneland and Daily Racing Form

on Thursday to announce the donation of nearly a half-century of his

humorous caricatures and equine cartoons to the Keeneland Library.

The collection of Peb's works, which have graced the front covers and

pages of the Form since 1955, will be housed at the Keeneland

Library, where they will ultimately be available for public view. The

collection includes approximately 4,000 original works of art, including

caricatures of racing luminaries, both human and equine, as well as

cartoons celebrating major racing events.

"Peb has been called 'the turf world's Michelangelo,' and Keeneland

is truly honored to become the caretaker of these distinctive works of

art," said Keeneland President Nick Nicholson. "For more than 50 years,

Peb has masterfully entertained racing fans worldwide with his wonderful

spirit and unique talent. His work has been a very special gift to

Thoroughbred racing."

Peb's relationship with Keeneland, which saluted the artist on

Thursday with Peb Day at the track, dates back more than 25 years, to

when he first sketched notable personalities at the 1983 Keeneland July

Selected Yearling Sale.

"Keeneland is like heaven for me," Peb said. "It's a place where I was always

sketching caricatures and visiting very dear friends. To know that my work will

be protected at the Keeneland Library is one of the highlights of my life."

"Peb's keen eye, sharp wit, and artistry have told the stories of the

Thoroughbred for over half a century, and Daily Racing Form readers

continue to enjoy Peb's front-page sketches during racing's biggest days," said

John Hartig, Daily Racing Form CEO. "We could think of no better partner

to preserve and house this priceless collection in perpetuity than Keeneland."

Peb, joined by family and friends, was honored by Keeneland (Photos by Z/Keeneland Association)

Peb came to America aboard a cargo plane in 1952, accompanying a

French filly who was to run in the Washington D.C. International at

Laurel Park. He was invited by organizer John D. Schapiro to create a

logo, program cover and posters to promote the race.

He remained in the United States and in 1955, J. Samuel Perlman,

publisher of the two Walter Annenberg-owned newspapers, The Morning

Telegraph and Daily Racing Form, hired Peb to do a weekly

racing sketch. On April 1 of that year, Peb's first sketch appeared in

The Morning Telegraph, coinciding with the opening of Jamaica

Racetrack in New York. His cartoons and caricatures quickly become

popular with readers, and Perlman signed him to a full-time contract.

Peb continues to do sketches for the Form and Paris-Turf,

one of his first employers.

Proceeds from marketing and merchandising efforts related to Peb's art will

be used to maintain and preserve the collection and further the work of other

equine artists and related scholarship.