Alonzo Clayton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lonnie Clayton |
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| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | January 4, 1876 Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | March 17, 1917 (aged 41) Los Angeles, California |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California |
| Career wins | Not found |
| Major racing wins | |
| Champagne Stakes (1891) Jerome Handicap (1891) Alabama Stakes (1892) Clark Handicap (1892, 1897) Latonia Oaks (1892, 1898) Travers Stakes (1892) Monmouth Handicap (1893) Spring Stakes (1893) Dash Stakes (1894) Dolphin Stakes (1894) Kentucky Oaks (1894, 1895) Arkansas Derby (1895) Ocean Handicap (1895) Double Event Stakes (part 1) (1896) Flatbush Stakes (1896) Laureate Stakes (1896) Twin City Handicap (1896) Winged Foot Handicap (1896) Fall Handicap (1897) Flight Stakes (1897) Municipal Handicap (1897) September Stakes (1897) California Oaks (1898) American Classic Race wins: |
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| Racing awards | |
| Leading rider at Churchill Downs (1893, Fall) | |
| Honors | |
| Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (2012) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Azra, Ben Holladay, Briar Sweet, Halma, Ornament, Requital, Voter |
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Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton (born January 4, 1876 – died March 17, 1917) was an amazing American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. He was known as "one of the great riders" of his time. Lonnie Clayton holds a special record: he was the youngest jockey ever to win the famous Kentucky Derby.
Contents
Lonnie Clayton's Early Life and Career
Growing Up in Mississippi and Arkansas
Lonnie Clayton was an African American jockey. He was likely born in Mississippi on January 4, 1876. He was one of nine children in his family. When he was ten, his family moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas. There, he went to school and helped his family by working odd jobs. He was a gofer for a hotel and a shoeshine boy. People said he was very smart in school.
Starting His Jockey Career
At just twelve years old, Lonnie Clayton left home. He went to Chicago to the Washington Park Race Track. His older brother, Albertus, was already a jockey there. Lonnie started working as a stablehand and helped exercise the horses.
The next year, he moved to Clifton Race Track in New Jersey. In 1890, at only fourteen, he began his professional riding career. He quickly became very successful.
Winning the Kentucky Derby
In 1891, Lonnie Clayton won the important Champagne Stakes in New York. He was riding a young horse named Azra.
On May 11, 1892, he rode Azra to victory in the Kentucky Derby. Lonnie was only fifteen years old! This made him the youngest jockey in history to win the Derby. After their Derby win, Lonnie and Azra also won the Clark Handicap and the Travers Stakes.
More Racing Success
Lonnie Clayton continued to win many races. In 1893, he won the Monmouth Handicap in New Jersey. He also became the top rider at Churchill Downs that fall.
Throughout the 1890s, he was one of the best-earning jockeys on the East Coast. He won races all over, from New York to California. He won the Kentucky Oaks two years in a row, in 1894 and 1895. In 1895, he won 144 races! He also won the Arkansas Derby that year.
Later Years and Legacy
Changes in Horse Racing
As the 20th century began, it became harder for African-American jockeys to find work. Horse owners started hiring mostly white riders. Over time, African-American jockeys, who had been very important in horse racing for many years, were forced out. Since 1909, no African-American jockey has won a major American Graded stakes race.
Life After Racing
Lonnie Clayton tried to find work in other places. He rode horses in Butte, Montana, and Memphis, Tennessee. He then moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. It's not clear if he continued as a jockey there or started a different business.
In his last few years, Lonnie lived in California. He worked as a hotel bellhop. He passed away on March 17, 1917, at the age of forty. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Honors and Recognition
Lonnie Clayton's amazing achievements in horse racing were recognized in 2012. He was honored by being inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Alonzo Clayton, around 1898
