The Kentucky Derby has a complex history with regards to race and racism. The race itself has had a troubled past, as Black jockeys were prominent in the early years of the Derby but faced discrimination and exclusion as the event became more commercialized.

Black jockeys were an integral part of the early success of the Kentucky Derby, winning 15 of the first 28 runnings of the race. Some of the most famous jockeys of the time, such as Oliver Lewis and Isaac Murphy, were Black. However, as the sport of horse racing became more lucrative and segregated, Black jockeys were pushed out of the industry.

After the turn of the 20th century, Black jockeys were systematically excluded from the sport, with many of the top stables refusing to hire them. This was due to a combination of racism, Jim Crow laws, and economic factors. As a result, Black jockeys became nearly non-existent in the Kentucky Derby and other major horse races.

It wasn't until the 21st century that Black jockeys began to make a comeback in the sport. In 2000, Marlon St. Julien became the first Black jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby in over 79 years. Since then, a handful of Black jockeys have competed in the race, though the sport of horse racing remains predominantly white.

The legacy of Black jockeys in the Kentucky Derby serves as a reminder of the challenges and discrimination faced by African Americans in the world of horse racing and sports in general.