Horse racing is one of the most popular sports across the world, and that is no different in the state of Mississippi.

Despite not having the stellar selection of racecourses that is boasted by other areas of the United States, the locals remain a passionate fan base when it comes to racing.

Millions watch the annual Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs, while further prominent events on the schedule include the Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup. You can check the current Kentucky Derby odds by TwinSpires here.

Despite the fact that none of the mentioned events have been held at any venue in Mississippi, they are still watched annually by an adoring audience. But, what has been the history of racing in the state, and are there any remaining courses that are in operation within the area?

Pharsalia Race Course

A lot of the horse racing history in Mississippi surrounds the once iconic Pharsalia Race Course. The venue was established in the 1790s, and it was long considered to be the premier venue for racing action in the area.

The early history of the track dates back to the formation of the Mississippi Jockey Club, who were tasked with putting on race days and ensuring that all regulations were maintained.

It was a venue for fine breeders in the area throughout its early history, with major families in the state such as William Minor, Duncan F. Kenner, and Adam L. Bingaman all producing winners that would make their name at Pharsalia.

However, there was also the dark history attached to the venue, as just like the rest of the south of the country, jockeys and grooms were enslaved African Americans. These would be used for stakes, with the winning trainers and owners winning people rather than the purses that are now included with stakes races across the world.

Historic Stakes Venue

Pharsalia was a historic venue for racing action in the venue, and it was revered across North America for the high-quality two and four-mile heats that were held annually.

A four-day meet would be helped annually, with purses put aside based on the number of runners involved. Bets would be placed between the owners involved, and somebody’s ‘word’ was enough for the bet to be placed.

Such was the historic racing at the venue, the leading prize on offer would be called the Pharsalia Plate.

However, the iconic trophy is no longer found, as it was buried in a sugar plantation on the site of the racecourse and all evidence of the honor has now vanished.

Pioneering Figure in Racing

One of the most important figures in racing within Mississippi was John Pryor, who would later achieve major success as a trainer in Lexington, leading to his induction into the U.S. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1955. Pryor was a slave owner based in 1850 and 1860 census in the United States, and he was employed by the state’s politician Adam Lewis Bingaman to train racehorses.

His major operation would sparkle in Lexington throughout the 1850s, before he was shopped back to the south and Natchez where he was placed in control of Bingaman’s string of horses.

His love for horses saw him travel to England in 1861, training equines at Chesterfield House. He would later return to the United States, and his son’s would continue his work in stable. Notably, his son Luke would begin training in 1872 under the employment of August Belmont, the namesake of the final leg of the Triple Crown in the United States.

The family legacy would continue with Allen Davis Pryor working in the professional at Morris Park Racecourse, and John Pryor working as a trainer in New Jersey.

Legendary Jockey

Few jockeys have called Mississippi home, but perhaps one of the most ground-breaking did. Lonnie Clayton was revered by man as the greatest riders on the New York circuit throughout the 1890s, and he continues to hold the record for the youngest rider to win the Kentucky Derby.

Clayton was born in Mississippi in January 1876, before moving to Arkansas when he was aged ten to work in a golf hotel to shine shoes to support his family. However, two years later he embarked on a career in racing, taking his first professional ride aged 14. Immediate success would follow, winning the Champagne Stakes, before landing the Kentucky Derby in 1982 aged just 15 aboard Azra.

Azra and Clayton would continue to make history throughout the year, winning the Travers Stakes and Clark Handicap. Major victories continued throughout the 1890s, winning the Monmouth Handicap, as well as back-to-back editions of the Kentucky Oaks.

At the start of the 20^th century, opportunities for black jockeys disappeared, leading him to move to Europe to continue his career. His legacy was honoured following his debut, as he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.