Biography of j winkfield

American jockey

James Winkfield (April 12, c. –^[1] – March 23, ) was a Thoroughbredjockey and horse trainer from Kentucky, best remembered as the last African American to ride a winner in the Kentucky Derby ().^[2]

Winfield was born in Chilesburg, Kentucky (now part of Lexington, Kentucky) and began his career as a jockey in at age sixteen.

He was suspended for one year after one race for his involvement in a four-horse accident at the starting gate.^[3] However, he returned in to ride Thrive in the Kentucky Derby, finishing third.

The Epic Journey of James ‘Wink’ Winkfield | America's Best ...

He rode in the race again in and , winning on His Eminence and Alan-a-Dale respectively.^[3] In , he won races. He competed in his final Derby in , finishing second on Early.

Winkfield was blackballed in the US after dishonoring a contract to ride for an owner by agreeing to ride for a different owner, but he was offered a chance to race in Russia, where he quickly rose to fame.^[4] Barbara (Porter) Winkfield (born 1946) - Texas - AncientFaces POVU