Description
Oliver Lewis was once champion jockey of the Kentucky Derby in 1875 with a winning race time of two minutes and 37 seconds. Jockey Willie Simms won in 1896, bringing his horse in at two minutes and seven seconds. James Winkfield was once the winning jockey in both 1901 and 1902 with winning race times of two minutes and seven seconds and two minutes and eight seconds, respectively. Every of these men possessed the skill and power essential to spur a horse to glorious victory. All are members of the small, make a selection group of Derby-winning jockeys who were African Americans. The stakes were high: Black jockeys who won a race within the late 1700s and 1800s now and again won freedom from slavery as well. This work examines the presence of black jockeys within the Kentucky Derby, from the primary instance of slaves working as stable hands and tending their masters’ horses to the primary black jockey to win the distinguished Kentucky Derby in 1875 and the ongoing participation of black jockeys within the Kentucky Derby. Black owners and running shoes within the Kentucky Derby are also discussed. Three appendices list black winning jockeys, black trainers and black owners of Kentucky Derby horses.