The Kentucky Derby, one of the most famous horse races in the United States, has a complex history with respect to Black participation and achievement.

Black jockeys were actually among the most successful participants in the early years of the Kentucky Derby. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African American jockeys dominated the sport of horse racing, winning the Kentucky Derby multiple times.

For example, Oliver Lewis rode the winning horse, Aristides, in the very first Kentucky Derby in 1875. Black jockeys continued to excel in the sport, with 15 of the first 28 Derby winners being African American.

However, as segregation and discrimination increased in the United States, Black jockeys faced significant barriers to entry and success in the sport. By the early 20th century, racism and Jim Crow laws pushed many Black jockeys out of the industry, and they were replaced by white jockeys.

Despite this decline in Black participation, there have been successful Black jockeys in more recent years. In 2000, Marlon St. Julien became the first African American jockey to race in the Kentucky Derby in over 79 years. In 2021, Kendrick Carmouche made history as the first Black jockey to compete in the Kentucky Derby since 2013.

Overall, the history of Black participation in the Kentucky Derby reflects the broader struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the world of horse racing, highlighting both the early successes of Black jockeys and the challenges they have faced in the sport due to racism and discrimination.