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Mississippi Equestrian History

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Mississippi Equestrian History

Mississippi Equestrian History: Racetracks and Best Jockeys from the State

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.

Free Intense horse racing action with jockeys competing on the track. Stock PhotoA 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.

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.
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.
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.

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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.

Pharsalia Race Course

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports across the world, and that is no different in the state of Mississippi.
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.
Published 10:02 am Friday, March 21, 2025
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.

Historic Stakes Venue

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

Pioneering Figure in Racing

At the start of the 20th 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.
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.
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.
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.

Legendary Jockey

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.
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dynamic-horse-racing-scene-showcasing-jockeys-31171138/
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.
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.

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NCAA Volleyball Regional Schedule Set

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December 8, 2025

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The fourth-seeded Indiana volleyball team (25-7, 14-6 B1G) will play in the Sweet 16 for just the second time in program history. The NCAA announced start times and dates for next week’s regional semifinals on Sunday (Dec. 7) afternoon. The Hoosiers will play top-seeded Texas at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday (Dec. 12) afternoon at Noon ET on ESPN.

 

Following the greatest regular season in program history, IU was awarded a top-16 national seed and the chance to host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers made quick work of their first two matchups, sweeping Toledo and fifth-seeded Colorado in Bloomington to advance to the Sweet 16.

 

IU is one of five Big Ten programs remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Of the 16 schools left in the big dance, IU is one of two teams (Cal Poly) that didn’t make the big dance last year. The Hoosiers have already set a single-season program record for wins (25) and will attempt to advance to the regional final for the first time in program history.

 

The other matchup in the Austin Regional will pit second-seeded Stanford and third-seeded Wisconsin against each other. Their match will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of IU’s. The winners of both regional semifinals will meet on Sunday (Dec. 14) afternoon for a spot in the national semifinals in Kansas City.



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Louisville volleyball NCAA Tournament bracket, Texas A&M vs UofL game

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December 8, 2025

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Dec. 6, 2025Updated Dec. 7, 2025, 6:08 a.m. ET

After defeating Marquette 3-2 in the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament on Saturday night, No. 2 Louisville will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, and take on No. 3 Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 at 7 p.m. Friday.

This will be the Cardinals’ seventh consecutive regional appearance but first with Dan Meske as head coach.

Here’s everything you need to know to keep up with the match from home:

No. 2 seed Louisville versus No. 3 seed Texas A&M will be broadcast live on ESPN or ESPN2.

Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN2 via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.

Those without cable can access ESPN2 via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.

Buy Louisville volleyball tickets here

After defeating Marquette, UofL will play Texas A&M in the Lincoln, Nebraska, Regional Friday at 7 pm. Here’s a look at the tournament schedule:

  • First and second rounds: Dec. 4-6
  • Regionals: Dec. 11-14
  • Semifinals: Dec. 18 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Championship: Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri



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The Omaha World-Herald’s Nebraska All-Class volleyball teams

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December 8, 2025

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Men’s T&F Opens Season at Diplomat Open

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December 7, 2025

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Lancaster, PA (December 6, 2025) – The DeSales University men’s track & field team opened the 2025-26 indoor T&F season competing at the Diplomat Open at Franklin & Marshall College on Friday.

The Bulldogs posted 10 MAC qualfying times/marks in the meet.

Among the qualifying times were junior Bryce Guthier taking second in the 400-meters with a time of 52.08. It is the fifth fastest time in indoor history.  Senior Davis Trump also qualified in the 5K with a time of 16:20.32.

In the field events, DSU posted eight qualfying marks. Junior Weston Simak qualified for the MAC Championships in both the long jump (6.52m) and triple jump (13.72m). His triple jump mark was the second best in team history.  First-year Luke Heimann also qualfied in the triple jump (11.86m).

Junior Jonathan Castronovo took home first place in the long jump with a mark of 6.58m, the second best long jump in team history.

First-year John Amoretti qualified in the shot put (12.33m), seniors Jonathan Eudja and Giovanni Wellington qualified in the weight throw with marks of 14.85m and 14.23m. First-year Ryan Rodriguez also quallified in the weight throw (11.89m).

The Bulldogs won’t return to action till the New Year at the Blue and Grey Invitational on Jan. 17th.

 



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Women’s Track & Field Turns in Multiple High Marks to Begin Season at Cornell

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December 7, 2025

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RESULTS

ITHACA, N.Y. –

The Ithaca College women’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.

Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall.

Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.

Aynisha McQuillar took fifth in the 200-meter dash in a time of 26.61 seconds. McQuillar also ran in the 60-meter dash and posted the 11th fastest time in DIII during the prelim with a performance of 7.78 seconds.

Lyla Powers was fifth in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:21.75.

Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation.

Bree Boyle and Erin Eastwood each cleared 3.54 meters in the pole vault, which is tied for 11th on the Division III performance list.

Alexis Brown turned in a leap of 11.02 meters in the triple jump for the 17th best mark in the country.

Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.

 



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Men’s Track & Field Opens Indoor Season at Cornell Greg Page Relays

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December 7, 2025

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RESULTS

ITHACA, N.Y. –

The Ithaca College men’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.

Anik Vossschulte claimed third in the 200-meter dash in a time of 23.32 seconds, while Jacob Antilety was seventh at 23.71 seconds.

Matt Lokshin posted a time of 8.65 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to place third in the event. Aidan Irwin took fourth in the high jump with a mark of 1.70 meters.

Quinten Lewis posted a mark of 13.73 meters in the triple jump to place fourth and Sebastien-Oliver Lacrete was sixth at 12.68 meters, while Evan Cherry secured fifth in the long jump with a leap of 6.84 meters.

IC’s 4×400-meter relay team of Damian Simmonds, Griffin Lupes, Noah McKibben and George Nilson placed sixth in 3:34.49.

Luke Ellor finished sixth in the shot put with a mark of 14.40 meters.

Three Bombers finished within the top eight in the 500-meter dash as Brad Kellogg was sixth in 1:09.73, Peter Tysiak followed in seventh with 1:10.74 and Matthew DeJulio was next at 1:11.59.

Kaiden Chandler and Luke Ferrer posted times of 4:41.29 and 4:53.44 in the mile to finish in seventh and eighth.

Raf Campanile was seventh in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25 meters.

Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.

 



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