African American Jockeys Once Dominated the Kentucky Derby

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Apr 2

The first professional African American athletes were jockeys, who dominated horse racing from the late 19th to the early 20th century. In fact, at the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were Black, including the winner, Oliver Lewis.

During those early years, African American jockeys won 15 of the first 28 Derbies, and Isaac Burns Murphy was the first to win the race three times (in 1884, 1890, and 1891). Murphy was also the first Black millionaire athlete and, at the time, one of the highest-paid athletes in the country.

African Americans had a significant presence in horse racing until they were effectively pushed out of the sport in the United States. This exclusion persisted from 1921 to 2000, when Marvin Bracy became the first Black jockey in 79 years to ride in the Derby.

Per Arthur Ashe, a three-time Grand Slam singles champion and member of the Boulé, as quoted by Edward Hotaling in They’re Off! Horse Racing at Saratoga:

“The sport of horse racing is the only instance where the participation of Black people stopped almost completely while the sport itself continued—a sad commentary on American life…Isaac Murphy, so highly admired during his time for his skills and character, would have been ashamed of his sport.”

This photograph, taken at the Coney Island Jockey Club, features 15 of some of the country's best late 19th century jockeys. Front row (left to right): Fred Taral, Tony Hamilton, Tom Kiley, Marty Bergen. Middle row (left to right): Isaac Burns Murphy, Willie Simms. Standing (left to right): Fred Littlefield, George Covington, Charles Miller, S. Taylor, Pike Barnes, Billy Hayward, Chippie Ray, J. Lambley, Tiny Williams. 1891.

Jockey Anthony Hamilton. 1893.

Willie Simms, the winner of the 1896 Kentucky Derby. 1893.

Anthony Hamilton after winning the Suburban Handicap. 1895.

Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton won the 1892 Kentucky Derby. 1896.

Jockey Isaac Murphy on the thoroughbred Tenny. 1890.

Willie Simms. 1897.

From left, jockeys Sam Doggett, Willie Simms, and Fred Taral.

Jockey Anthony Hamilton’s wedding to socialite Anna L. Messley was recognized in the January 12, 1891 edition of The New York Times.

Jimmy Winkfield, one of only five jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby back-to-back in 1901 and 1902. 1900.

Jockey Jimmy Winkfield.

African American jockey. Circa 1920s.

Jockey Wallace Hicks.

Flying Torpedo is being positioned for viewing in a paddock by an African American jockey and handler at Harlem Race Track (formerly Harlem Jockey Club). The track is located near Roosevelt Road and Hannah Avenue in Forest Park (formerly the Village of Harlem), Illinois. 1903.

This portrait of James “Jimmy” Lee was taken at the Coney Island Jockey Club in Brooklyn, New York. In 1907, Lee, ranked as the country’s second-best rider by wins, achieved a remarkable feat by winning all six races at Churchill Downs on June 5, making him the only jockey to have swept a full card of American racing during the early 20th century. One of Lee’s notable stakes victories was aboard Dorante in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. 1908.