the african american man who won the derby twice

The African American man most often associated with “winning the Derby twice” is jockey Willie Simms , who won the Kentucky Derby in 1896 and 1898.

Who he was

Willie Simms was a pioneering African American jockey active in the late 19th century, when Black riders were dominant in American horse racing. He became one of the sport’s standout talents and was later inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for his achievements.

His two Derby wins

Simms won the Kentucky Derby twice:

• In 1896 on the horse Ben Brush.

• In 1898 on the horse Plaudit.

At the time, this back‑to‑back success across a few years cemented his status as one of the Derby’s early stars and one of the most successful Black jockeys of his era.

Historical context

In the late 1800s, many of the top jockeys at the Kentucky Derby were African American, including Isaac Murphy and Jimmy Winkfield, but over time Jim Crow laws and discrimination pushed Black riders out of top‑level racing. Simms’ story is often highlighted today in Black history features and Derby museum exhibits as an example of that early dominance and the later erasure of Black presence in the sport.

Quick Scoop (SEO-style notes)

• Focus phrase: “the african american man who won the derby twice” – this refers to jockey Willie Simms and his two Kentucky Derby victories in 1896 and 1898.

• Related themes: Black history at the Kentucky Derby, early Black jockey dominance, Hall of Fame recognition, and current efforts to reclaim and tell these stories in media and museum exhibits.

TL;DR: The African American man who won the Derby twice is Willie Simms , victorious in 1896 (Ben Brush) and 1898 (Plaudit), and now remembered as a trailblazing Black jockey in Kentucky Derby history.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.