Black Jockeys Systematically Driven From Horse Racing Despite Dominating the Sport

In the late 19th century, Black jockeys dominated thoroughbred horse racing — 15 of the 28 riders in the first Kentucky Derby were Black, and Black jockeys won 15 of the first 28 Derbies. Between 1900 and 1911, Black jockeys were systematically excluded from racing through a combination of organized boycotts by white jockeys who refused to race against them, physical intimidation during races, and denial of licenses by racing associations. By 1911, Black jockeys had been effectively eliminated from major races. Isaac Murphy, who won three Kentucky Derbies, died in poverty in 1896.