A Louisiana legend, 67-year-old African-American jockey Martin Brown,
officially retired with a race named in his honor during last weekend’s Santa
Super Saturday at Fair Grounds.
How long had he been in the saddle?
“About 60 years,” said Brown when interviewed in the winner’s circle by Fair
Grounds racing analyst Katie Mikolay after Saturday’s 6TH race. “I started when
I was seven or eight years old and I’m 67 now.”
Dressed in snappy royal blue silks, presumably his favorite set, Brown posed
for a winner’s circle photo surrounded by the bulk of Fair Grounds’ jockey
colony as well as the valets and some favorite trainers who welcomed the
opportunity to honor their peer.
Brown’s last trip to the Fair Grounds winner’s circle as an active rider came
on March 13, 2009, aboard Ashley Cornell and Daniel Ray’s Almost Mary for
trainer Wade Ladner, and that was his second local win as a 64-year-old that
season.
Although winless at the local oval over the next two seasons, Brown remained
active, galloping for an extensive clientele of trainers in the mornings before
accepting additional mounts in the afternoon. In September 2010, Martin was
diagnosed with prostate cancer and later last season he suffered a horrific
spill which eventually was to end his athletic career.
What was next for Brown, now that his jockey career was over?
“One day at a time,” said Brown, “because right now I am disabled and sit on
top of this chair with broken vertebrae, and I am just glad taking it one day at
a time.”
When interviewed last season, Brown related some highlights of his own
history, which began with match races while growing up in Cajun Country. As a
youngster he dominated bush tracks in Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, and
just about anywhere else in the state of Louisiana.
“In 1962, when I was 17 years old, I came to Fair Grounds to start riding
here,” Brown said. “I was the only black jockey and things were tough, but let
me tell you, things were tough for all of us back then. If you could ride, then
you got a shot, if you couldn’t, you didn’t.”
In 1968, Brown began race-riding for Jere Smith, working a circuit of Detroit
and Chicago as well as New Orleans, and in 1971, Brown was believed to be the
first African-American jockey to ride in Chicago when Spanky Broussard named him
on Doorstep Waif, who would win with Brown aboard.
What did Brown consider to be his biggest accomplishment?
“Coming back and being able to shine for the second time,” said Brown, who
returned to winning races in Louisiana after being inactive as a jockey for more
than two decades.
Jockey Robby Albarado, who with seven jockey championships at Fair Grounds
has more than any other rider in Fair Grounds history, had this to say last year
when asked his opinion of Martin Brown.
“I have nothing but admiration for his longevity and passion for the game,”
Albarado said. “He works as hard and looks as fit as any jockey in the room.
He’s a very spiritual person and nobody tries harder in a race. He’s living his
dream and he’s a great person.”
Brown is also very resourceful, as exemplified by his actions during a recent
Roman Catholic Mass at Fair Grounds when no one remembered to bring a bell to
ring at the appropriate times in the liturgy.
With reverent, respectful sincerity, Brown jingled his car keys, trying his
best as always to make the best of an unfortunate situation.
“I really appreciate what Fair Grounds did for me last weekend,” Brown said
Wednesday morning during training hours. “That was very nice of them, and I
really want to thank everyone at Fair Grounds.
“It was like I was telling (trainer) Neil Howard this morning. It was like
getting to hear your own obit before you die. Most people don’t get to hear all
those nice things about themselves while they’re still around, and I plan to be
around, so I hope everybody keeps me in mind.
“And now, I’ve brought a bell with me this time, so we’ll be sure to have one
on hand this Sunday.”