Even as a teenager, when some youngsters are inclined to think the world is theirs for the taking, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott did not dream big. “I was 18 years old and hauling horses around in a two-horse trailer to the bush tracks,” recalled the native of Mobridge, S.D. “I never imagined training for anybody else other than myself.”
Tag: Legends
John Asher: Dedicated Kentucky Derby Ambassador and Friend to All
The grounds of historic Churchill Downs features statues of figures essential to the track and its signature race, the Kentucky Derby: Aristides, the first victor; Barbaro, the fan favorite; and two men seated on benches, one talking and the other listening, beckoning visitors to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Black History Month: Shining a Spotlight on Notable African-American Jockeys
From the beginnings of the sport in the United States, people of color have made significant contributions to horse racing. African-American jockeys dominated the winner’s circle in racing’s first three decades. They were the first Black superstar athletes in the United States, and won 15 of the first 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. In fact, 13 of 15 jockeys for the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 were Black.
The Epic Journey of James ‘Wink’ Winkfield
He was on the doorstep of becoming America’s greatest Black race rider. One of just five men to win back-to-back Kentucky Derbys (1901-1902), he barely missed a third victory the following year. But, the story of James “Wink” Winkfield being a great jockey would just be a slice of his existence. Has any jockey led a more incredible life?
