WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 6, 2005) – Regardless of who wins this year’s Kentucky Derby, another chapter of Black History was secured when Congressman Bobby Rush announced today that his resolution honoring Jimmy Winkfield, an African American jockey, who is just one of four jockeys to take back-to-back Kentucky Derbies, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Rush’s resolution recognizes and celebrates the significant contributions and excellence of African American jockeys and trainers in the sport of horse racing and in the history of the Kentucky Derby. 

“I am pleased that my congressional colleagues joined me in recognizing Jimmy Winkfield’s renowned jockey talents and contributions to the sport of horse racing, which formally enshrines his legacy in not just Black History, but also American history, “said Rush. “The prestige and history of the Kentucky Derby would not be possible had it not been for Mr. Winkfield and the contributions of other African Americans jockeys and trainers.”

Jimmy Winkfield was born in an era when African American jockeys dominated the sport of horse racing, to the extent that African American riders won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derbies and in the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were African American.

Mr. Winkfield began his career shining shoes before moving up to stable hand. He later became an exercise rider and rode his first race at the age of 16.  When he was 22, Winkfied won back-to-back Kentucky Derbies in 1901 (on his Eminence) and 1902 (on Alan-A-Dale), and placed second in 1903 (on Early). Winkfield is one of only four jockeys ever to accomplish this back-to-back feat. During his career, Winkfield was known as the king of the Chicago race tracks.

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Unfortunately, segregation eventually forced African American jockeys off the race track and often into exile. Winkfield left the U.S. for a career in Europe and settled in Czarist, Russia where he became a wealthy and dominant athlete in the country’s national sport. 

He won Russia’s national riding title an unheard of three times, and racked up wins in Germany, Poland and France.  He was forced to flee Bolshevik’s Communist Revolution in 1919, but not before taking 200 jockeys, trainers and owners with him to safe grounds.  Winkfield retired in 1930 after accumulating 2,600 racing victories in 10 countries.

For more information, please visit www.house.gov/rush.

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