The sport of horse racing in America dates to the colonial era, when Richard Nicolls, governor of New York, set up the first formal racetrack on Long Island. Since the 17th Century, the sport has thrived in all corners of the country, thanks to the tireless work of generations of men and women, especially African Americans like jockey Oliver Lewis and trainer Ed Brown, and the former slave turned jockey, trainer, and pedigree expert William Walker.
Tag: Legends
Stackin’ Cheddar: Looking Back on Rare Chance to Cash on ‘The Queen’
This marks the first edition of “Stackin’ Cheddar: Looking Back,” a new biweekly series on America’s Best Racing. Here, we’ll look back on an early race in the careers of some of the greatest horses of all time, including spots where they went off at a big price.
Triple Crown Turning Point: Sir Barton’s Cough That Changed History
In each champion’s life comes a turning point, a small moment that presages bigger ones, laying the groundwork for the greatness to come. It could be a decision to change a piece of equipment, a hiccup that alters a schedule, or a new face that shifts the perspective on a horse and what they are capable of. For America’s first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton, this small something led to a simple decision that resulted in a historic achievement.
Black History Month: Shining a Spotlight on Notable African American Jockeys
From the beginnings of the sport in the United States, African Americans 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 African American.
