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Kendrick Carmouche to be first Black jockey in Kentucky Derby since 2013
Long before Kendrick Carmouche started riding horses growing up in Louisiana, Black jockeys were synonymous with the sport.
Black riders were atop 13 of the 15 horses in the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 and won 15 of the first 28 editions of the race. Everything has changed since: Carmouche on Saturday will be the first Black jockey in the Kentucky Derby since 2013 and is just one of a handful over the past century.
Carmouche is one of the few remaining Black jockeys in the United States. Much like Marlon St. Julien in 2000, Patrick Husbands in 2006 and Kevin Krigger in 2013, his presence in horse racing s biggest event is a reminder of how the industry marginalized Black jockeys to the point they all but disappeared from the sport.
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
Kendrick Carmouche is set to become the first Black jockey to ride a horse at the Kentucky Derby since 2013 with Bourbonic on Saturday.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Carmouche addressed what the historic run in the first leg of the Triple Crown means for him: As a Black rider getting to the Kentucky Derby, I hope it inspires a lot of people because my road wasn t easy to get there and I never quit. What I ve been wanting all my career is to inspire people and make people know that it s not about color. It s about how successful you are in life and how far you can fight to get to that point.
Carmouche to be 1st Black jockey in Kentucky Derby since 13
STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Sports Writer
April 27, 2021
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Long before Kendrick Carmouche started riding horses growing up in Louisiana, Black jockeys were synonymous with the sport.
Black riders were atop 13 of the 15 horses in the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 and won 15 of the first 28 editions of the race. Everything has changed since: Carmouche on Saturday will be the first Black jockey in the Kentucky Derby since 2013 and is just one of a handful over the past century.
Carmouche is now one of the few remaining Black jockeys in the U.S. Much like Marlon St. Julien in 2000, Patrick Husbands in 2006 and Kevin Krigger in 2013, his presence in horse racing’s biggest event is a reminder of how the industry marginalized Black jockeys to the point they all but disappeared from the sport.