Honoring Kentucky’s Forgotten Heroes: The Black Horsemen of the Derby

Gov. Andy Beshear was present at the announcement of the 2024 Class of the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, which took place on Champions Day for Derby Week at Churchill Downs. Ansel Williamson, a formerly enslaved Black horse trainer who trained Aristides, the winner of the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, was honored by Beshear moments ago at Churchill Downs. The lives of Williamson and other Black horsemen who made significant contributions to the sport were celebrated at the event, with the presence of officials from the Ed Brown Society and Churchill Downs. Copyright 2024 WAVE. All rights reserved.