Jan Yarberry
Biographical Information

American 1948

Jan Yarberry is a self-trained equine artist who has developed the gift of transforming canvas into a trackside seat. This is an ability that only the passion a lifelong horseman could achieve. A step into the thoroughbred game with one of Jan’s works brings to life all the power, grace and beauty that is unique to horse racing.

Born into racing, Jan is a third generation horseman. In 1928, Jan’s grandfather William Jenkinson decided to enter the thoroughbred world. In a time when the emphasis was put on a farmer’s son this prominent dairyman was the father of five daughters. William, who had achieved fortune in the dairy business, had visions of becoming a successful trainer while giving his oldest daughter Lillian Jenkinson-Holder the chance to become a jockey. Lillian seized the opportunity by having a riding career that spanned over four decades. Lillian Jenkinson-Holder has been documented as one of the early pioneers that eventually led to females riding at recognized tracks. Jan’s mother, Ellen “Babe” Yarberry, followed in her father’s footsteps and was a horse owner/trainer for nearly fifty years. Jan’s father, Warren Yarberry, left his Texas home as a youngster and eventually became one of america’s leading jockeys in the late thirties and early forties. Warren’s rags to riches story began with shining shoes at Hialeah Park as a youngster. Warren went on to win riding titles at major tracks across the country, such as Keeneland Racecourse and Monmouth Park on some of the leading thoroughbreds of the era.

Constantly surrounded by more than thirty thoroughbreds as a youngster forever etched a place for the horse in Jan’s soul. during her youth Jan’s summers meant joining the family business in the interesting world of the racetrack and county fair circuits of the day. These are the colorful memories mixed with the respect for the equine athlete that creates the pageantry and detail that is evident in Jan’s art. Although Jan showed an early ability to bring the power of a race scene to canvas, the dream of becoming the trainer of great horses left little time for painting. Becoming the mother of two, forced Jan to seek a more stable income than the racetrack could offer so she earned her degree and spent twenty-eight years teaching middle school. During those twenty-eight years Jan never let the racing world leave her as she always managed to keep a horse or two in training. Although it meant four o’clock mornings and late nights, Jan was able to balance a career, motherhood and the dream of life at the track. Jan could always rely on painting the life she loved even when circumstances did not allow her to be at the track. It was during these times that Jan was able to master the ability to bring a life full of racing memories and understanding of the horses to the vibrant scenes we see in her work. Jan is now retired and living on her small farm outside of Louisville, Kentucky where she is now able to devote her full time to the horses and art she loves.

In the spirit of many Kentucky craftsmen, Jan is self-taught with a mix of talent, dedication and hard work that results in taking someone to a day at the races with each painting. The power, color and character in each of Jan’s paintings can bring a smile to the face of both horse lovers and the most hardened of horseplayers alike. Whether one can be found on millionaires row or rail side with the show bettors, it is easy to appreciate the art of Jan Yarberry, who creates from a life of racing memories and the heart of a horseman.