From the beginnings of the sport in the United States, people of color 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 16 of the first 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. In fact, 13 of 15 jockeys for the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 were Black.
Gulfstream Park’s road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve begins this Saturday with the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. The race will offer 20 qualifying points to the winner as top 3-year-olds compete to accumulate points and earn a place in the Derby starting gate.
When the gates fly open each May at Pimlico Race Course, racing fans celebrate more than just the Preakness Stakes — they honor a legacy rooted in the vision of one man: Oden Bowie. As governor and a sportsman, Bowie recognized the potential for Maryland to become a national leader in Thoroughbred racing.
The 54th annual Eclipse Awards will be presented on Jan. 23, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach, a resort in Florida. There are 17 categories, for both humans and horses, to determine the best in Thoroughbred racing each year.
