Here’s one for the books! It’s no secret that our producers have taken MEMPHIS to heart; you’ve seen the many version of Hockadoo license plates, right?

In addition to a fleet of cars, there are also several race horses that have MEMPHIS inspired names now- like the horses owned by producers Bill and Linda Potter named AintNothingButAKiss and Fantastical- but here’s a story about the horse Music Of My Soul, owned by Lead Producer Kenny Alhadeff. (We reported this on Facebook a while ago but I have some video and fun images to share.)

Let me preface this by saying I know nothing about horse racing so I have very little knowledge about what or how to report on this story…

Here are a few shots of this beautiful horse before the race:

Here’s the race—

Exciting right?

Well here’s what excited really looks like- Kenny Alhadeff’s priceless reaction to the win- second only to his reaction to when MEMPHIS won the TONY Award for Best Musical in 2010!

Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff, with their daughter, Ali, and the horse trainer for Music of my Soul, Doris Harwood.

And, nothing sweeter than seeing this exchange between Lead Producers Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff. “And that folks, is what I mean by the Music of my Soul.”

Fun Fact: this race occurred in Seattle while the MEMPHIS National Tour was performing at the 5th Avenue Theatre. It is quite possible that the time that this race took place was approximately the same time Bryan Fenkart as “Huey” was singing “Music of my Soul” during the matinee performance held that same day. Quite possible indeed.

Here’s a link to an article about the race in case you want a more in depth look at the story: Gottstein Futurity

Fun Fact: The Alhadeff’s donated a portion of the winnings to Inspire Change- the non-profit program that helps bring students to the theater. In my books, that makes everyone a winner that day.

Thank you to fantastical fan, Janet Mueller, for sending us these great shots!