AUTHOR IN REISTERSTOWN

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Stoney: The Story of My Dad’s Life, an African American Groom of Horse Racing
by Alvin Stone

The story of Walker “Stoney” Stone, a highly-respected racehorse groom who plied his trade for over 50 years, is told by his son, Maryland resident Alvin Stone.

Stoney passed on his love and knowledge of the sport to Alvin, who throughout his book explores the daily life of the renowned horseman, and well as those around him – including names that had been forgotten or not mentioned in the history of horse racing. 

Readers are introduced to Maryland farms and racetracks, a number of which have been developed and are no longer in existence, and the stables of racing nobility, including Harry and Jane Lungers’ Christiana, Marion duPont Scott’s Montpelier and Stuart Janney’s Locust Hill, all where Stoney worked over the decades. Many of Maryland’s legendary trainers, including Henry S. Clark, Guy Bedwell, Frank A. Bonsal, Grover “Bud” Delp and Frank Whiteley, to name a few, are woven through Stoney’s life. The book includes numerous rare photographs and sketches by Raoul Middleman.

“It is a blessing and honor to tell the story of my father’s life as a family man and horse racing groom. I tell his story through my eyes, a proud son,”—Alvin Stone

Alvin Stone will spend an afternoon at the Nancy Lee Frenkil Maryland Horse Library and Education Center in Reisterstown, talking about his book and horse racing and the contributions of black horsemen today. Copies of “Stoney” will be available for purchase and signed by the author.

Author Talk with Alvin Stone. Monday, February 27, 3 p.m., in the George Doetsch, Jr. & Apple Ford Lincoln Library, located at 321 Main Street in Reisterstown.

Attendance is free.

The book is a true story about Stoney, an African American Groom of Horse Racing and his life as one of the most respected grooms. Stoney highlights " The Triple Crown Races" and what it takes to be a horse racing groom. It brings you into the world of the "Sport of Kings." 

Stoney will take you to the past and present of horse racing grooms and their relationships with their friends and family. Nameless faces who were dedicated their lives to this sport and their dreams have been passed on to others involved in horse racing today. 

It's the beauty of the sport that makes the reader reminisce the good times and the excitement of being a groom in the winner's circle with the horse you groomed, cared for, and loved. A groom develops a great relationship, which promotes a marvelous fleeting feeling that the horse is yours, because of the extensive time spent with the horse. 

A cornerstone of greatness and tradition has been formed. Slavery and racism is also a part of horse racing history and the sport. The reader will experience how this craft was passed on to Stoney through his father and the gift of having the "touch," that is familiar to other grooms. Trainers, owners, jockeys, and racing fans have gained knowledge from these grooms of horse racing from the past. This book allows their legacy to be acknowledged and live on forever.

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