A Champion Named ‘Black Lives Matter’
A maverick Texas family brings new meaning to the term racehorse
“Say their names” is a standard request at rallies and protests against injustice. Catapulting from the mouths and megaphones of group leaders and their collectives, the equal parts demand and instructional chant aims to ensure that anyone within earshot holds the victims and their untimely deaths in memory. It’s why Dallas brothers and owners of The Hatley Bros. Racing Stable, Ke’Elronn and James Jr. Hatley, named their newest horse “Black Lives Matter.”
The Hatley’s rationale behind their new stallion’s tag was to continue raising awareness of police brutality towards African-Americans. The siblings figured, at the very least, whenever BLM raced, the announcer would be forced to say his name repeatedly. Then on January 20th, the unexpected happened: The colt made a name for himself. In his fourth race ever at the Louisiana Downs in Shreveport, Louisiana — despite starting from last place — Black Lives Matter claimed his first championship trophy. Audio of the master of ceremony repeatedly screaming “Black Lives Matter” until confirming his victory went viral after Ke’Elronn’s daughter Keeundra Hatley-Smith uploaded it to TikTok. The video has since amassed nearly 1.5 million views. The fact that the win took place the week of MLK Day made the win for both the Hatley’s and Black culture that much sweeter. “Though we faced many obstacles trying to name him ‘Black Lives Matter’ legally, we knew he would overcome and make history,” said Keeundra.
The Louisiana Downs was not the Hatley’s first rodeo. The equestrian family’s roots run decades-deep. They are the very first Black family in Texas to race quarter horses, recognized as the fastest breed for short distance competition. Their legacy began in the1960s, when the family patriarch James Hatley began owning, breaking and steeds until the ’90s. In fact, on March 6, 1983, James Sr. broke the record for quarter horse racing.
Considering the history of the sport and region, naming a horse ‘Black Lives Matter’ is quite the revolutionary move.
Considering the history of the sport and region, naming a horse Black Lives Matter is…
