JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The iconic Kentucky Derby will officially begin May 4, marking its 150th anniversary. Known as the Superbowl of U.S. horse racing, its pageantry, luxurious parties, fashionable hats, suits and powerful thoroughbreds are all an incredible sight to behold. The Kentucky Derby's history is equally gripping.
In the 1800s and early 1900s the majority of jockeys were Black men. In 1875, during the first Kentucky Derby, 13 of the 15 jockeys were Black. Born into enslavement in 1850, Edward D. Brown became an apprentice under Ansel Williamson, the African-American trainer of the first winner of the Kentucky Derby. During his career Brown won the Belmont Stakes as a jockey, and the Kentucky Derby as a trainer.
On opening day, May 17th of 1875, Oliver Lewis, at 19 years old, rode the colt Aristides to a record-setting victory. In the late 1800s Black jockeys excelled, winning six Derbies, one Preakness Stakes, and three Belmont Stakes.
Jimmy Winkfield was the last African American to win a Triple Crown race, in 1902. The social mobility possible for African Americans through racing was forced to a halt due to Jim Crow laws and racism. By 1921 Black jockeys disappeared from the Kentucky track. They returned to the sport nearly 80 years later. Marlon St. Julien rode in the year 2000 to a 7th place finish.
And now through organizations such as the Ed Brown Society future generations of Black horseman are being exposed to an industry they were once pushed out of.
You can watch as the Kentucky Derby marks its 150th anniversary this Saturday, May 4th at 2:30 in the afternoon on NBC and Peacock, live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Vivid Hues: The Kentucky Derby's Black History, features artist Tatiana Kitchen.