Are There Any Black Jockeys? (Find Out!)

I am a recent fan of horse racing.

Over the past few years, I have become quite interested in the sport, watching as many races as I can.

And of course, I now never miss The Kentucky Derby.

This year, I began reading articles about Kendrick Carmouche, who was set to make history as one of first Black jockeys to compete in the Kentucky Derby in the last two decades.

Each story I read, I became more interested in the history of Black jockeys in horse racing.

So, I began conducting research.

Starting with the question, “Are there any Black jockeys?”

Of course, I knew of one.

However, I had no idea that he was one of only a few left in the industry.

The answer is yes, there are definitely Black jockeys. In fact, the sport has unfortunately become less racially diverse throughout history, especially in the United States — where Black jockeys won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derbys. Since 1922, only two Black jockeys have rode in the race.

Today I would like to present my findings to the question: “Are there any Black jockeys?”

Why did the diversity of horse racing dwindle?

In the 1800s, Black men dominated the horse racing world, and that continued well after the Civil War.

In 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys who competed were black men. As stated above, Black jockeys won 15 of the first 28 editions of the Derby.

Following the Civil War, as Jim Crow laws and segregation went into effect, Black jockeys started to become less prevalent on the track.

Black jockeys were being denied licenses and those who already had licenses were having their ability to practice the sport hindered.

In fact, the most recent Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby did so in the early 1900s when he won back-to-back editions of the race.

In his last race, he was subjected to what many call “rough riding,” meaning his white counterparts were physically attempting to push him and his horse against the rail during the race — an incredibly dangerous practice that can injure all jockeys and horses involved.

By 1904, black riders were banned from many racetracks across the country, including Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby occurs.

Black jockeys would not compete at all in the Kentucky Derby from 1921 to 2000.

In 2000, Marlon St. Julien became the first Black jockey to compete in the Kentucky Derby in 79 years.

While there have certainly been other Black jockeys to compete in other horse races across the country, seeing diversity within the Kentucky Derby is the most telling for the sport as a whole — since it is the most prestigious race in the United States (and one of the most prestigious in the world).

Today, of the 750 members of the National Jockey’s Guild, only 30, or roughly four percent, were black.

Many jockeys hail from rural areas in Latin America.

How were Black jockeys discriminated against off the track?

Black jockeys were not just discriminated against during races.

Studies have shown that Black jockeys were also discriminated against during the betting process.

Evidence shows that, at the Kentucky Derby, horses ridden by Black jockeys were more likely to finish in first, second, or third place than predicted by the odds.

According to researchers, this suggests that bettor’s preferences at the Kentucky Derby may have also contributed to the expulsion of Black jockeys from horse racing.

Additionally, Black jockeys were given less opportunity to ride in the key races by not being offered a mount.

Since trainers often try to seduce certain jockeys to ride their horses for races, it is clear that not many trainers were asking Black jockeys to ride their mounts.

Researchers have said that for some, it could have been a matter of prejudice, but for others, it was likely a business decision.

How many black jockeys have competed in the Kentucky Derby since 2000?

Since 2000, only about four Black jockeys have competed in The Kentucky Derby: Marlon St. Julien in 2000, Patrick Husbands in 2006, Kevin Krigger in 2013 and Kendrick Carmouche in 2021.

Who are some other notable black jockeys?

Isaac Murphy is known to many as the greatest jockey to ever live.

He was the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times.

Murphy was also the first jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Winkfield is best remembered as the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby.

He won back to back in 1901 and 1902, before competing in his last Kentucky Derby in 1903, when he came in second.

He is also widely considered one of the best jockeys of his time — and throughout history — having won 220 races in 1901 alone.

Oliver Lewis was a Kentucky native who was born into slavery in 1856.

He won the inaugural Kentucky Derby in the year 1875.

James “Soup” Perkins was also born and raised in Kentucky.

In 1895, he won the Kentucky Derby, becoming one of the youngest jockeys to ever win the race at just 15 years old.

Isaac Burns Murphy, known as one of the best jockeys ever in the history of horse racing, competed in the Kentucky Derby 11 times.

He won in 1884, 1890 and 1891.

Other notable Black jockeys include Willie Walker, George Lewis, Babe HurdErskine Henderson, Alonzo Clayton and Willie Simms.

Has a black jockey ever won the Triple Crown?

Yes, one Black jockey has won all three races that comprise the Triple Crown.

Willie Simms is the only Black jockey to claim the feat, doing so in 1898 when he won the Preakness Stakes.

He previously won the Kentucky Derby in 1896 and 1898.

He also won the Belmont Stakes in 1893 and 1894.

By the time Willie Simms retired in 1901, he had one of the best lifetime-winning percentages in the entire sport of horse racing.

Who are the current Black jockeys competing in the horse racing circuit?

Currently, there are very few lack jockeys competing, at least in the United States. Kendrick Carmouche remains one of the few Black jockeys in the sport — a reminder of how far horse racing still has to go.

Carmouche is the son of another jockey, and he’s won more than 3,400 races during his career, earning him $118 million since he began his career in 2000.

As you can see, the history of Black jockeys in horse racing is still a very sensitive subject, as the sport has never recovered from the Reconstruction Era. Jim Crow laws — as well as individual prejudice by trainers, bettors, and track owners — contributed to the decline of Black jockeys in horse racing.

What once was an industry dominated by extremely talented Black jockeys has been nearly wiped of all of them.

Hopefully, as more Black jockeys take on the key races, this will change.