Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville curates the second largest viewers of horse racing within the nation, following the Kentucky Derby.
Oaks Day is reserved for the fillies, or younger feminine horses, and one group of Black ladies horse homeowners have created historical past after securing their first win, experiences WKYT.
A part of the oldest contested sporting occasion within the nation’s historical past, the primary all-Black lady group of householders a part of Dwelling the Dream are celebrating large after their victory scored by their horse “Seven Scents,” and subsequently paving the best way for extra Black possession.
“We’re not solely homeowners, we’re winners. We’re exhibiting up on the tracks, we’re representing and we’re taking residence prizes,” horse proprietor Dr. Tiffany Daniels mentioned.
The group of 5 ladies homeowners all agree that acknowledging the Black contributions made to the game is lengthy overdue.
“The primary jockey to win the Kentucky Derby was an African American male. We’re in 2022 proper now and we don’t see plenty of us,” mentioned Coya Robinson, one other horse proprietor.
She shared that illustration was a significant purpose for her becoming a member of the game, to really feel delight when strolling onto a monitor realizing she’s embodying Black excellence.
“It was an opportunity for me to dwell a legacy for my 4 daughters, for my goddaughters, so I believed it was a great alternative as a girl,” Robinson mentioned.
Dr. Daniels expressed that the wealthy Black historical past surrounding the 148-year-old occasion has gone undiscussed and thus unprecedented. The group of Black ladies are right here to make their mark and introduce extra Black aficionados to the business.
“Us particularly, we’re following within the footsteps of Eliza Carpenter, who was a slave who grew to become a horse proprietor and an precise jockey,” she mentioned.
As we honor the women on this Oaks Day, hear from one in every of these homeowners who’s making historical past. She says ladies can and will go away their mark on the horse racing business and sport @WKYT WKYT pic.twitter.com/dGjTVXkhsk
— Shelby Lofton (@ShelbyWKYT) May 6, 2022
In accordance with Dr. Daniels, the Lexington-based Ed Brown Society will lead efforts to assist propel extra minority illustration on the horse monitor.
They purpose to advance inclusion within the thoroughbred business to the following era of Black horse homeowners.
