The Maryland Jockey Club mourns the passing of legendary Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury, who died at his home Tuesday morning. He was 92.

“He’s one of a kind,” said one of his twin sons, Taylor Leatherbury. “There’s never been a man more appropriately named than my father.”

Black History Month offers an important opportunity to reflect on the contributions of Black Americans whose impact has shaped industries across the nation, including horse racing. While modern racing often lacks visible diversity, Black horsemen were foundational to the sport’s early success. One of the most influential among them was Ed Brown, a formerly enslaved man who became one of the leading trainers of the 19th century.