Oliver Lewis
Encyclopedia
Oliver Lewis was an African-American jockey
in Thoroughbred horse racing
. In 1875, Lewis rode in the very first Kentucky Derby
on the winning horse, Aristides
. Lewis and Aristides took second place in the Belmont Stakes
, which is now the third race of the Triple Crown
.
On September 8, 2010 the Newtown Pike Extension in Lexington, Kentucky
was named the Oliver Lewis Way in honor of Oliver Lewis. Julie Harp Galbraith, a retired elementary school teacher submitted the winning name. Both of her parents were born and raised in Newtown, Kentucky and ancestors of the Harp Family have lived in the area since the 1790s.
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
in Thoroughbred horse racing
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
. In 1875, Lewis rode in the very first Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
on the winning horse, Aristides
Aristides (racehorse)
Aristides was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.In 1875 the Derby was raced at a mile and a half, the distance it would remain until 1896 when it was changed to its present mile and a quarter...
. Lewis and Aristides took second place in the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
, which is now the third race of the Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
.
On September 8, 2010 the Newtown Pike Extension in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
was named the Oliver Lewis Way in honor of Oliver Lewis. Julie Harp Galbraith, a retired elementary school teacher submitted the winning name. Both of her parents were born and raised in Newtown, Kentucky and ancestors of the Harp Family have lived in the area since the 1790s.