Holly M. Smith
Holly is a freelance photographer based in Louisville. While she maintains a full time job outside of the thoroughbred/horse industry she spends most of her free time around the racetrack. Horses and photography have been a part of Holly's life going all the way back to elementary school. In 2015 after American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby she decided to pick up the camera again and get back into the game. Since then she has covered events such as the Kentucky Derby, Breeder's Cup, Queen's Plate and various other racing events. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, watching reality tv shows, and spending time with her fur kids, who still love her even though she isn't home much during racing season! Holly is a proud alum of Franklin County High School and University of Kentucky. She also serves on the UK Greater Louisville Area Alumni Board. Connect with Holly on Twitter @kyholmarie
Stories by Holly M. SmithChurchill Downs’ Super “Black Friday:” Through the Eyes & Lens of Our Very Own Holly M. Smith
(Tom’s d’Etat wins the G1 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs / Photo by Holly M. Smith) (Nay Lady Nay returns to the winner’s circle after winning the G2 Mrs. Revere Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: It was a bit gloomy and a bit chilly on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving. […]
Mr. Dumas Captures the G3 Commonwealth Turf on a Beautiful Saturday Night at Churchill Downs: Captured Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: One of the hardest jobs that I have these days is picking out which one of Holly’s photos to put on the “Home Page” of The Pressbox. Seriously. I look at one, and I say to myself: “Oh, this is it.” Until I take a gander at the next one that she sends to […]
Welcome Home Champs: The Return Of Covfefe & British Idiom Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
(Covfefe wanted to nibble on her garland of Breeders’ Cup flowers / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: On Friday and Saturday, the beautiful fillies Covfefe and British Idiom got to show the entire world of Thoroughbred racing their better sides. Sides that trainer Brad Cox teaches his prized pupils to turn to the […]
“Downs After Dark:” Oh What a Night, Through the Eyes and Lens of Holly M. Smith
(“Oh What a Night” at Churchill Downs on Saturday for “Downs After Dark” / Photo by Holly M. Smith Editor’s Note: Our very own (or we like to claim her as one of ours, any ole’ way), Holly M. Smith, was on location at Churchill Downs on a warm, humid and balmy September Saturday Night […]
Dogwood Stakes & The Beautiful Covfefe: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: The grand filly Covfefe, who is now the darling starlet of trainer Brad Cox’s barn with the recent injury of 2018 Champion Monomoy Girl, was as beautiful as ever on Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 3YO fast filly — who won the G1 Test Stakes in her last start — returned home to […]
G3 Iroquois & G2 Pocahontas Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
(Owner Dennis Albaugh, with his left arm in the sling, celebrates a great moment with his 2YO colt Dennis’ Moment after the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: It was a spectacular day at the oval on Saturday. Bright sunshine. Beautiful horses. Bountiful purses. And, […]
A Look At KY Downs’ Old Friends Stakes Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: Our very own Holly M. Smith, one of the finest young equine photographers in all the land, journeyed down to Kentucky Downs on Thursday to catch some of the racing action, adoring fans and this year’s version of the Old Friends Stakes. What she got were some beautiful photos from the starting gate […]
Churchill Downs Racing Club’s Warrior’s Club Retired After Fabulous, Fun Career
(Warrior’s Club gets a love pat after winning at Keeneland / Photo by Holly M. Smith) “Churchill Downs Racing Club horse Warrior’s Club retired, but not before taking a group of owners on a fantastic ride” By: Holly Smith The Churchill Downs Racing Club, a 501C7 (not for profit social club) started in 2016 with […]
Ellis Park Derby & Groupie Doll Stakes Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: It may be just another Summer’s Day for most. It may be just another sleepy Sunday morn for others. And, for many, it may be just another August heat wave to drive you to the pool or to the couch. But not our very own Holly M. Smith. We gave her the nickname […]
Ellis Park’s Preview Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: Ellis Park is known for the patch of soybeans in the infield, and the historic grandstand that sits on the banks of the mighty river like a steamboat waiting on its’ passengers to board — like a scene from yesteryear. Ellis Park is known for the heat of the August sun, and the […]
Churchill Downs’ Super “Black Friday:” Through the Eyes & Lens of Our Very Own Holly M. Smith
(Tom’s d’Etat wins the G1 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs / Photo by Holly M. Smith) (Nay Lady Nay returns to the winner’s circle after winning the G2 Mrs. Revere Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: It was a bit gloomy and a bit chilly on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving. […]
Mr. Dumas Captures the G3 Commonwealth Turf on a Beautiful Saturday Night at Churchill Downs: Captured Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: One of the hardest jobs that I have these days is picking out which one of Holly’s photos to put on the “Home Page” of The Pressbox. Seriously. I look at one, and I say to myself: “Oh, this is it.” Until I take a gander at the next one that she sends to […]
Welcome Home Champs: The Return Of Covfefe & British Idiom Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
(Covfefe wanted to nibble on her garland of Breeders’ Cup flowers / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: On Friday and Saturday, the beautiful fillies Covfefe and British Idiom got to show the entire world of Thoroughbred racing their better sides. Sides that trainer Brad Cox teaches his prized pupils to turn to the […]
“Downs After Dark:” Oh What a Night, Through the Eyes and Lens of Holly M. Smith
(“Oh What a Night” at Churchill Downs on Saturday for “Downs After Dark” / Photo by Holly M. Smith Editor’s Note: Our very own (or we like to claim her as one of ours, any ole’ way), Holly M. Smith, was on location at Churchill Downs on a warm, humid and balmy September Saturday Night […]
Dogwood Stakes & The Beautiful Covfefe: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: The grand filly Covfefe, who is now the darling starlet of trainer Brad Cox’s barn with the recent injury of 2018 Champion Monomoy Girl, was as beautiful as ever on Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 3YO fast filly — who won the G1 Test Stakes in her last start — returned home to […]
G3 Iroquois & G2 Pocahontas Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
(Owner Dennis Albaugh, with his left arm in the sling, celebrates a great moment with his 2YO colt Dennis’ Moment after the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: It was a spectacular day at the oval on Saturday. Bright sunshine. Beautiful horses. Bountiful purses. And, […]
A Look At KY Downs’ Old Friends Stakes Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: Our very own Holly M. Smith, one of the finest young equine photographers in all the land, journeyed down to Kentucky Downs on Thursday to catch some of the racing action, adoring fans and this year’s version of the Old Friends Stakes. What she got were some beautiful photos from the starting gate […]
Churchill Downs Racing Club’s Warrior’s Club Retired After Fabulous, Fun Career
(Warrior’s Club gets a love pat after winning at Keeneland / Photo by Holly M. Smith) “Churchill Downs Racing Club horse Warrior’s Club retired, but not before taking a group of owners on a fantastic ride” By: Holly Smith The Churchill Downs Racing Club, a 501C7 (not for profit social club) started in 2016 with […]
Ellis Park Derby & Groupie Doll Stakes Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: It may be just another Summer’s Day for most. It may be just another sleepy Sunday morn for others. And, for many, it may be just another August heat wave to drive you to the pool or to the couch. But not our very own Holly M. Smith. We gave her the nickname […]
Ellis Park’s Preview Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
Editor’s Note: Ellis Park is known for the patch of soybeans in the infield, and the historic grandstand that sits on the banks of the mighty river like a steamboat waiting on its’ passengers to board — like a scene from yesteryear. Ellis Park is known for the heat of the August sun, and the […]
