In the latest episode of The Boundless Podcast, Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with author Kim Wickens to discuss her acclaimed book Lexington and the decade-long journey behind bringing one of racing's most influential Thoroughbreds back into focus. The episode was taped at Airdrie Stud, Lexington's original home.
Wickens, a former criminal defense attorney turned author, shares how a passing curiosity about a horse she had never heard of evolved into a 10-year research pursuit spanning archives, libraries, historic racetracks, and hundreds of primary sources. That work ultimately became the national bestseller Lexington, a deeply researched account of the legendary stallion and the broader historical landscape surrounding him which garnered Wickens a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
The conversation explores not only Lexington's impact on American Thoroughbred history, but also the forgotten figures and stories tied to his era, including Civil War-era Kentucky, horsemen of the 19th century, and overlooked pioneers such as Abe Hawkins and Richard Ten Broeck. Wickens reflects on the parallels between legal practice and historical writing, emphasizing discipline, persistence, and investigative rigor.
Across the discussion, themes of grit, curiosity, and historical preservation emerge, as Wickens and Peterson examine why so many foundational racing stories have faded from public memory and what it takes to recover them.
The episode underscores how a single question, pursued relentlessly, can reshape our understanding of racing history and the people who shaped it.
To watch the episode on YouTube, click here.
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