The St. Julien Family
Last Modified 4/5/2007

Marlon St. Julien

Marlon St. Julien became the first African-American jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby in 79 years, when he guided Godolphin Racing Inc.'s Curule to a seventh place finish in the 126th running of the classic race.

St. Julien, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, worked on his uncle's farm as a youngster, but was more interested in playing football than in race riding. He turned his attention to becoming a jockey following his junior year in high school and began riding at Evangeline Downs in 1989, winning his first race aboard Sadie's Sensation two weeks into his career.

He was involved in a five-horse spill a short time later, suffering multiple injuries, including a broken sternum. He almost gave up riding at that point, but instead became more inspired, and following two months of recovery, he was back in the saddle.

Following his graduation from high school, he continued riding in Louisiana before temporarily moving his tack to California. He returned to Louisiana before venturing to Lone Star Park for their inaugural season in 1997, where he won the first race at the Texas track, with I Are Sharp in the Premier Stakes.

He is a regular rider on the Kentucky circuit and spends his winters at the Fair Grounds in Louisiana. He was a member of the ultra-tough riders colony at Saratoga last summer.