Too Black Too Fast

Too Black Too Fast Celebrating the forgotten legacy of Black jockeys who once dominated American horse racing.

Art, history, and truth—Too Black Too Fast. 🏇🏾✊🏾 Blacks became involved in horse racing in America in 1607 and ruled the sport from 1607-­1910. The riders were slaves, small in stature and very young – mere boys, typically be-­
tween 13-­15 years old. It was a time when the intelligence, skill and ability of Black jockeys – let alone the very humanity of Blacks –

was in question. Landowners wagered money, tobacco crops, deeds to farms, slaves, or just about anything of value. The best master-­and-­slave racing teams were so successful they resorted to trickery to get people to race against them. One such story even involved our seventh president of the United States, Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson. Still another is that of a Black jockey who accumulated so
much wealth, he hired an agent to handle his winnings and negotiate the freedom of his entire family. The master and slave relationship in the horse racing industry blurred most societal and racial lines of the time. Essentially Black horse jockeys and trainers were treated like modern day jockeys were crowned princes from 1607-­1910

07/24/2025

🏇🏿 Did You Know?

Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton won the Kentucky Derby in 1892 at just 15 years old, making him the youngest jockey ever to win the race—a record that still stands today.

07/23/2025

A beautiful summer day visiting Secret Oath ‘25 and her best friend… featuring a flying photobomber 🐦

Historical Fact:Jimmy Winkfield was the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, claiming back-to-back victories in ...
07/22/2025

Historical Fact:

Jimmy Winkfield was the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, claiming back-to-back victories in 1901 and 1902.
After being shut out of American racing due to racism, he went on to become a superstar in Europe, winning over 2,500 races internationally and living like royalty in Russia and France.

Historical Fact:Isaac Murphy was the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times (1884, 1890, 1891) — and he won ...
07/21/2025

Historical Fact:
Isaac Murphy was the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times (1884, 1890, 1891) — and he won an astonishing 44% of his races.
That’s a record no other jockey, Black or white, has matched to this day.
He’s considered one of the greatest riders in horse racing history — yet few know his name.

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07/20/2025

Did you know?

In the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were Black—including the winner, Oliver Lewis. Black horsemen dominated American racing in the late 1800s before segregation forced them out of the sport. 🏇🏿✊🏾

“Too Black Too Fast” postcards available soon
07/19/2025

“Too Black Too Fast” postcards available soon

“Too Black Too Fast” postcards will be available online soon
07/19/2025

“Too Black Too Fast” postcards will be available online soon

Work in progress….follow us here at “Too Black Too Fast” for the latest updates
07/19/2025

Work in progress….follow us here at “Too Black Too Fast” for the latest updates

Check out the derby attire of Too Black Too Fast, co-founder and visual artist, Michael McBride as he and his son, Jer...
05/26/2022



Check out the derby attire of Too Black Too Fast, co-founder and visual artist, Michael McBride as he and his son, Jeremy participated in a sneak peak preview of the Too Black Too Fast exhibition at the 2022 Iroquois Steeplechase

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