The first professional black American athletes were jockeys, who dominated the sport until the early 20th Century. Jimmy Winkfield (pictured) was the last black rider to win the Kentucky Derby in 1901 and 1902.
Race on the track —
The first professional black American athletes were jockeys, who dominated the sport until the early 20th Century. Jimmy Winkfield (pictured) was the last black rider to win the Kentucky Derby in 1901 and 1902.
Courtesy Churchill Downs Inc/Kinetic Corporation
Winkfield rides to victory in the 1902 Derby. "He was the LeBron James of his time. Not only was he fabulously talented, he transcended the sports pages to the celebrity pages," author Joe Drape said.
Early champions —
Winkfield rides to victory in the 1902 Derby. "He was the LeBron James of his time. Not only was he fabulously talented, he transcended the sports pages to the celebrity pages," author Joe Drape said.
Courtesy Kentucky Derby Museum/Kinetic Corporation
When the country's most prestigious horse race, the Kentucky Derby, launched in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys competing were African American. William Walker (pictured) was one of the first to take the trophy in 1877.
Derby domination —
When the country's most prestigious horse race, the Kentucky Derby, launched in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys competing were African American. William Walker (pictured) was one of the first to take the trophy in 1877.
Courtesy Kentucky Derby Museum/Kinetic Corporation
Isaac Murphy was the first jockey to win three Kentucky Derbies -- in 1884, 1890, 1891 -- and the first millionaire black athlete. "They came at a time when blacks were invisible," Drape added.
Millionaire in the making —
Isaac Murphy was the first jockey to win three Kentucky Derbies -- in 1884, 1890, 1891 -- and the first millionaire black athlete. "They came at a time when blacks were invisible," Drape added.
Courtesy Kentucky Derby Museum/Kinetic Corporation
Alonzo Clayton is the youngest jockey ever to win the Kentucky Derby, taking the race in 1892 at just 15-years-old. However, increasing racism on the track cut short his budding career.
Young guns —
Alonzo Clayton is the youngest jockey ever to win the Kentucky Derby, taking the race in 1892 at just 15-years-old. However, increasing racism on the track cut short his budding career.
Courtesy Churchill Downs Inc/Kinetic Corporation
James Perkins won the Kentucky Derby in 1895. Many riders began their careers as slaves who were forced to compete in informal -- and dangerous -- races.
Slaves to stars —
James Perkins won the Kentucky Derby in 1895. Many riders began their careers as slaves who were forced to compete in informal -- and dangerous -- races.
Courtesy Kentucky Derby Museum/Kinetic Corporation
The introduction of the Jim Crow laws in the late 1880s -- segregating blacks and whites -- spelled an end to the golden era of jockeys like Willie Simms (pictured) who won the Kentucky Derby in 1896.
Segregation woes —
The introduction of the Jim Crow laws in the late 1880s -- segregating blacks and whites -- spelled an end to the golden era of jockeys like Willie Simms (pictured) who won the Kentucky Derby in 1896.
Courtesy Kentucky Derby Museum/Kinetic Corporation
Just a handful of black jockeys compete today, including Deshawn Parker, ranked 54th in the all-time jockey standings. "It's not a white man's sport anymore -- the minority Latinos really own it as jockeys," he said.
Today's heros —
Just a handful of black jockeys compete today, including Deshawn Parker, ranked 54th in the all-time jockey standings. "It's not a white man's sport anymore -- the minority Latinos really own it as jockeys," he said.
Courtesy The Jockeys' Guild
Mexico's Mario Gutierrez celebrates after winning the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Nine of the top-10 highest earning jockeys today are from Latin American countries.
Latino leaders —
Mexico's Mario Gutierrez celebrates after winning the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Nine of the top-10 highest earning jockeys today are from Latin American countries.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/File