Horse Jockey Joins the Ranks of The Greatest African Americans in History
14 of 15 jockeys racing in the 1st. Kentucky Derby were African American.
Isaac Burns Murphy was born on January 6, 1861. He was born to slave parents America and Jerry Murphy. His mother was a house slave [a laundress]on a prominent horse farm till 1864 when she ended up a refugee at Camp Nelson, a Union Army depot.
Known as a free slave because of his bricklaying skills, Isaac’s father escaped bondage and joined the 114th US Colored Troops in 1864. He would return a POW to Camp Nelson and died from tuberculosis a year later. After his death, Isaac’s mother changed his last name to Murphy in honor of her late father, Green Murphy.
Isaac and his mother moved in with Eli Jordan, a prominent horse trainer, and at age 14 won his first race at Crab Orchard Park in Lexington KY. It would be the beginning of his brilliant racing career.
Jordan took the young man under his wing and became a father figure to him because of Jordan not having a son of his own. Isaac went on to be one of the greatest black jockeys in the USA and the highest-paid (of that time). He rode in 11 Kentucky Derbys, Kentucky Oaks and the Clark Handicap in 1864. (Per Wikipedia).
On June 25, 1890, Isaac ran in a famous match race in New York City; a match race is between only 2 jockeys; against one of the most famous white jockeys of all times, Ed ‘Snapper’ Garrison. He won in a ‘photo finish’.
‘Isaac holds a record number of impressive wins. In 1882, he won 49 of 51 starts at Saratoga, New York. In 1883, 1885 and 1886, he won races at the Hindoo Stakes. In 1884, 1890 and 1891, he won Kentucky Derbys. In 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1888, he won four races at the American Derby in Washington Park in Chicago. On May 23, 1887, he won the Latonia Derby in Kentucky’, (Per Black History Heroes). In 1955 he was the first person to be inducted to The National Museum of Racing and the Hall of Fame. He was regarded as the most famous jockeys of all time and had the highest record of money ever won’.
Unfortunately, on August 26, 1890, while riding famous horse Firenzi, he finished last and fell off his horse unconscious. Because of his habit of having champagne before a race, the thoroughbred association suspended Isaac pending an investigation. Although he was reinstated, his reputation would be tarnished following him to his death.
During this time, however, he had the backing of America’s journalists. They rallied behind him, calling the charges unfounded. Isaac stood adamant that he wasn’t drunk but poisoned. The rumors behind this suspension claimed that thousands of dollars were lost that day and that was the reason he got suspended. He maintained his innocence. It is also rumored that the white jockeys who didn’t like black jockeys winning big money would do what they needed to be done to have them suspended.
Isaac died on February 16, 1896, of a heart attack leaving behind his wife Lucy. He was only 35. Over 500 people from the racing industry attended his funeral. He was buried in an unmarked grave until a man researching his death found his grave in 1960. His remains were transferred to the Kentucky Horse Park and buried next to Man of War at the entrance to the park.
The National Turf Writers Association, since 1985, awards The Isaac Murphy Award each year to the jockey, who wins the highest of 500 mounts (races won). Isaac would be the first person to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Last year, Church Hill Downs dedicated a race to Isaac in dedication to their diversity values. Famous Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Arcaro stated “There is no chance that his record of winning will ever be surpassed”. [Black History Heroes]
Here is a short video of history on other African American jockeys:
While researching this, I chose the most important traits of Isaac’s career. During this month of Black History, I wanted to emphasize how all black men are important in every aspect of life!
Thanks for reading.
Credits to Wikipedia and The Kentucky Derby.com You Tube. Black History Heroes.