Also American
Achievement1884· sport

Isaac Murphy Wins First of Three Kentucky Derbies

Isaac Murphy, a Black jockey born enslaved in Kentucky, won the Kentucky Derby in 1884, the first of three victories (also 1890 and 1891). Murphy won 44 percent of all his races over his career, a record standing over a century. He was the first jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.