A new children's book set against the backdrop of Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has been released.
Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whoooo's That Jockey? is the second book in an educational series written by Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form. It's illustrated by retired jockey and award-winning artist Renee Torbit.
In his latest adventure, main character Ollie takes young readers along with him as he searches for the best jockey at Oaklawn Park. Along the way, Ollie learns about the courage it takes to ride racehorses, the equipment jockeys wear, and why racing silks are different colors.
The book is a follow-up to Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whoooo's That Horse?
"Here is a wonderful opportunity to introduce to the next generation the wonderful world of horse racing," Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said in a review of Ollie the Oaklawn Owl.
The concept of the series was presented to Oaklawn president Louis Cella in February 2023 and he gave his enthusiastic approval to tie the project and its track-specific artwork to his family's more than 100-year-old racing venue.
"Mary's books provide our youth a great tool to better understand and appreciate one of the most distinguished sports in American history," Cella said. "The lessons in these stories are so important for the future generation of racing fans, and the knowledge kids will take away about our human and equine athletes is invaluable."
Jody Swavy, Senior Vice President/Editor in Chief of Daily Racing Form, and his young daughters, serve as advisors on the books.
"My hope is that Ollie's adventures educate young readers about racing -- and maybe even some casual fans," Rampellini said. "Renee Torbit's stunning watercolor art pulls the whole project together and makes the books a keepsake item. Her illustrations are true-to-life portraits of the front-side and stable area experience of Oaklawn Park."
The included photo is courtesy artwork by Torbit. The illustration from inside the jockeys' room is featured in the new children's book Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whoooo's That Jockey?
Torbit won the Ruth Robbins Water Media Award during the 2024 fall show of the American Academy of Equine Art in Aiken, South Carolina. In another 2024 honor during an online show, Torbit won first place in the Traditional Art, Black and White Category, for her charcoal image of a horse leaving the starting gate at Oaklawn Park.
Torbit holds an art degree from William Woods University. She was jockey for eight years before becoming a winner's circle photographer for Coady Media. Torbit's artistic pursuits find her working "in any media I can find," she said, "including acrylic, oil, watercolor, to embroidery and block printing - and the occasional small sculpture using clay."
Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whoooo's That Jockey? is now available in the gift shops at Oaklawn Park and online at coadymedia.com. Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whoooo's That Horse? also is available through those outlets, as well as the gift shop that serves the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
