Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Isaac Burns Murphy

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 23, 2022

1. Isaac Burns Murphy Marker

Inscription. Isaac Burns Murphy was horn to America Murphy in Clark County, Kentucky in January of 1861. After emancipation and the death of his father in the Civil War, Isaac and his mother moved to Lexington where he received his first formal education. The African American community, including America, realized the importance of an education and strong, moral and religious convictions if their children were to become successful adults.

When Isaac was 13, America developed tuberculosis. Realizing that her death was imminent and that her son would need a profession, she secured an apprenticeship for him with Thoroughbred breeders James T. Williams and Richard Owings. There, under the watchful eye of trainer and family friend, Eli Jordan, Isaac's talent blossomed and his affinity for horses became evident. Aside from Isaac's equestrian skills, Jordan also stressed the importance of being a good and honest man; traits that would set him apart from many of his racing counterparts, and allow him to become the greatest jockey in America and its most popular sports figure.

Racing Highlights
• First jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame
• 44% win record remains best of all time
• First jockey to win three Kentucky Derbies (1884, 1890 and 1891)
• Won four American Derbies (1884-1886,

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1888)
• Won five Latonia Derbies (1883-1886 and 1891)

Caption: Riding Salvator, Murphy defeated Tenny in the famous 1890 Suburban Handicap as illustrated in a Currier and Ives print from 1891. Images from Library of Congress

Erected by Kentucky Horse Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1861.

Location. 38° 8.938′ N, 84° 31.23′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Iron Works Parkway and Iron Works Pike. Marker is by the Man o' War/Isaac Burns Murphy Memorial in Kentucky Horse Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington KY 40511, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Descendants in Man o' War's Memorial Gravesite (here, next to this marker); African Americans in Racing (a few steps from this marker); The Mostest Hoss (a few steps from this marker); Will Harbut and Man o' War (a few steps from this marker); Getting Ready (a few steps from this marker); The Two-Year-Old (a few steps from this marker); The Years at Stud (a few steps from this marker); The Race He Lost (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 23, 2022

2. Isaac Burns Murphy Marker

Featured marker is on the right.

Also see . . . Isaac Burns Murphy. Wikipedia entry on the notable jockey, whose win percentage – either 44 percent or 34 percent, depending on the source – remains best in the sport's history. (Submitted on July 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Isaac Burns Murphy (1861-1896) image. Click for full size.

Unknown via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), circa 1895

3. Isaac Burns Murphy (1861-1896)

He died of heart failure at just 35 years of age.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.