- Tina Knowles is featured in a new Peacock documentary called “High Horse: The Black Cowboy.”
- Knowles described the Kentucky Derby as “racially charged” after a personal experience on the red carpet.
- She claims a white couple was allowed to cut in front of her in line at the 2024 event.
- The documentary highlights the history and struggles of Black cowboys and their erasure from the mainstream narrative.
Tina Knowles is one of several voices featured in the new three-part Peacock documentary, “High Horse: The Black Cowboy,” and she comments on the Kentucky Derby.
Knowles, the mother of Beyoncé, said the famous racing event, held annually at Louisville’s Churchill Downs, is “racially charged,” which she finds ironic considering the role of the Black community in horse racing history.
Here’s what to know.
Tina Knowles appears in Peacock documentary, ‘High Horse: The Black Cowboy’
Knowles appears in “High Horse: The Black Cowboy” with stars like Jordan Peele, Pam Grier, Glynn Turman and Rick Ross. The three-part documentary series highlights the history, success and struggles of Black cowboys, including systemic racism, and how Black culture has been erased from the mainstream narrative.
Watch ‘High Horse’ on Peacock
Knowles says White couple was allowed to cut her in line on the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby
Knowles, who attended the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024, said the event was a “very big wake-up call” after a White couple was allowed to cut in front of her on the red carpet.
“I mean, just blatant, on the red carpet, someone came up and said, ‘Oh, Tina Knowles is next’ and the other young lady walked up and said ‘Oh no, because we need a…’ and ran right into my face, and I said, ‘a White person?'” she said.
Knowles described one of the most prestigious horse racing events of the year as “racially charged” and a “closed off culture.”
“She just went behind me, got the couple behind me, and brought them on,” she said. “It’s a lot of racially charged energy, which is ironic because we really started this stuff.”
The Courier Journal has reached out to Churchill Downs for comment.
Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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