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The Village Idiot to Host Man o’ War Mural Unveiling Party June 29

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 26, 2017) – An unveiling party to celebrate a commemorative mural of the legendary racehorse Man o’ War will take place at the local pub The Village Idiot on Thursday, June 29 at 4 p.m.

Commissioned by LexArts and sponsored by Mt. Brilliant Farm, the 30′ x 30′ mural was painted by Mexico City native and longtime Lexington resident Agustin Zarate. It is part of the Kentucky Horse Park’s Man o’ War Celebration, presented by Windstream, which includes a series of events highlighting the life of the great racehorse.

The unveiling party will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and comments from Zarate and officials at LexArts, Mt. Brilliant Farm and the Kentucky Horse Park. The Village Idiot will offer half-priced appetizers from 4-7 p.m., and the Kentucky Horse Park will provide complimentary park tickets as raffle prizes at the event.

“LexArts is proud to have facilitated this new addition to Lexington’s arts landscape,” said Ellen A. “Nan” Plummer, LexArts president and CEO. “It’s a striking mural in the perfect location to enchant residents and visitors alike with our rich equine history.”

The Man o’ War mural spans the entire side of the two-story Village Idiot building and commemorates the horse’s victory in the 1920 Belmont Stakes. Based on a historic photograph during his racing years, it portrays Man o’ War parading in front of the Belmont crowd following his historic feat.

“Man o’ War was truly a remarkable horse, and many people don’t realize that he’s actually buried here at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director Laura Prewitt. “We hope this mural will become a downtown fixture that raises awareness of his life and legacy, and will also drive traffic to the Kentucky Horse Park to visit his gravesite and the ‘Mostest Horse That Ever Was Exhibit.'”

A commemorative beer crafted by Alltech to enhance the Man o’ War Celebration will also have its release at the mural unveiling party. Called the “Mostest Wheat Ale” after Man o’ War’s nickname, the celebratory beer will be offered for a special price and served in Kentucky Horse Park Man o’ War Celebration souvenir cups. It will be available on tap at various locations throughout Lexington this summer.

“We are happy to honor one of the most famous race horses of all time with a beer brewed for the celebration of Man o’ War,” said Pete Weiss, marketing manager of Alltech. “Mostest Wheat Ale tells the story of Man o’ War, and that he was the ‘mostest’ horse to ever run.”

The Kentucky Horse Park’s goal in its season-long Man o’ War Celebration is to celebrate the life of the legendary horse, as well as encourage people to visit the premier tourist destination, which is currently hosting a special exhibit entitled “Man o’ War: The Mostest Horse That Ever Was.”

To learn about other events scheduled for the season-long Man o’ War Celebration, visit the Kentucky Horse Park’s website at www.kyhorsepark.com.

Contact: Lisa Jackson
(859) 259-4224
Lisa.Jackson@ky.gov

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