Black Horsemen: The Lewis Family

The Lewis Family
Last Modified 4/5/2007

George Garret Lewis

George Garret Lewis rode Fonso to victory in the 1880 Derby despite a claim of foul, the first in the history of the race. He died at his home in Hutchinson Station, KY approximately two months following the Derby (July 5, 1880) from internal injuries he sustained in a June 8 spill during a mile race in St. Louis, Missouri. Lewis was reported to be 18 at the time of his death.

Isaac Lewis

Isaac Lewis rode in four consecutive Kentucky Derbys, 1886-89, and won the 13th running in 1887 as a 17-year-old aboard Montrose. Also on the same day as his Derby victory, he booted home Brookful to first-place finishes in the two heats of the Frank Fehr City Brewery Purse. Lewis, who was born on a farm in Bourbon County, KY, began his riding career as an 11-year-old under the tutelage of African-American trainer Byron McClelland. His first career victory was for H.P. McGrath, the owner of Aristides, the winner of the 1875 inaugural Derby. Lewis developed a reputation over the years for getting his horses away from the gate quickly and being a fearless rider with courage on both turns.

Oliver Lewis

Oliver Lewis rode Aristides to a two-length upset victory in the inaugural running of the Derby in 1875. The time, 2:37 3/4, established an American record for the 1 1/2 miles. Lewis was instructed to send Aristides to the lead to ensure a fast pace and set up the race for stablemate Chesapeake. He sent Aristides to the front and as the field rounded the far turn and headed for home, Chesapeake was far behind. The owner of the two horses, H. Price McGrath, told Lewis "Go on!" when he looked over at McGrath for a sign. Later that year he guided Aristides to a second in the Belmont. He won three races during Churchill's inaugural meet to take the honor as leading rider. Lewis never rode in another Kentucky Derby but was on hand for the 33rd running in 1907. Detailed information is not available, but it was reported that he later worked for a bookmaker (legal at the time) an provided detailed information on how the horses ran. This method of race result notes was later developed into charts which served as a forerunner to the Daily Racing Form and Equibase systems.