From Sepia magazine, May 1975
Nowadays white trainers say that Negro jockeys get too fat by living it up after they are successful. That’s an excuse. I think there’s just too much money in it now and they want to keep the Negroes out of it.
The first person to ever win the Kentucky Derby was a Black man by the name of Oliver Lewis. His trainer was also Black. There was a time when Black jockeys regularly dominated the Kentucky Derby scene, winning 15 out of the first 28 derbies. This Sepia article from 1975 recalls a period when African Americans played a significant role within the arena of horse racing. From Isaac Murphy who made history when he won the Kentucky Derby three times, to James Long, a newcomer to the sport and the featured athlete of the Sepia article. Some of the first Black jockeys and trainers emerged as a result of slavery, having been either formerly enslaved themselves or the children of formerly enslaved who cared for the horses on plantations and farms. Jim Crow laws across the country thwarted any future dreams of those already within the arena and any hope for those who aspired to be among them. Women also competed, with Cheryl White (shown in the featured photo) being the first to hold a license as a Black female jockey.
Fast forward to Louisiana native Kendrick Carmouche, who is among the few Black jockeys left in the field of horse racing today. His love for the sport has been generational. His grandfather never competed but always had a love for horses and pushed Kendrick’s father to become a jockey when he became interested in horse racing. This generational foundation resulted in Kendrick’s introduction into the sport. Not to be outdone, Khadijah Mellah’s Instagram states that she is the first UK Muslim jockey. She is also the first British jockey to wear a hijab in a competitive horse race, winning the Magnolia Cup in 2019 on her mount, Haverland, at the age of 18.
Racing is not the only way the legacy of horse riding lives on within the African American community. There is a long history of Black cowboys in Philadelphia, known as the Fletcher Street riders, featured in the 2021 film Concrete Cowboys starring Idris Elba. Additionally, the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club “evolved from a century-long tradition of Urban Black Cowboys” and is a nonprofit founded by Ellis Ferrell, a former bull rider and horseman, that “remains true to its mission in producing an alternative to outdoor leisure activity to the community and engaging urban youth in equestrian sports while teaching life skills, instilling discipline and promoting academic excellence.”
Horse racing has a legacy within the African American community that has not died, but rather evolved as challenges arose, including environmental changes, lack of resources and systemic barriers. We present this article as a reminder, but also as an inspiration for anyone interested in continuing the tradition of those who came before and those who are still blazing new pathways.
Ali Abd al Rahman | February 16, 2024
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It’s about time something is written about the above subject. My name is Ali Abd Al Rahman, I spent many summers working with my grandfather who was a jockey, owner and trainer not only for himself but for others. He worked for the DuPonts , and other lesser known names of owners outside of the world of racing but inside of well known and rich. My grandfather had horses of his own and won many races as well. I am from Baltimore Md and spent my summers at race track like pimlico, Timonium Maryland, tracks in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.In those days were many tracks in many places, but mainly up and down the East Coast,Also West Virginia, the stories need to be told because it’s an part of our history. Ma salaama.
Sapelo Square | Author | February 21, 2024
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Salaam Ali…. Really glad you appreciated this article. The information you provided is also interesting.