Monkey Jockeys and Racing Dogs: Florida's Wildest Sport That Actually Happened
The Monkey Rodeo You Didn't Know You Needed
In the grand tradition of "Florida, why are you like this?" the 1930s birthed one of humanity's strangest ideas: strapping tiny capuchin monkeys onto the backs of racing greyhounds. Picture it: little monkeys in colorful jockey outfits, holding on for dear life as greyhounds — animals that can run 45 miles per hour — blast around a track like furry NASCARs.
This wasn't a one-off stunt. Tracks like the Palm Beach Kennel Club, Flagler Dog Track in Miami, and the Hollywood Dog Track made it a full-blown "family entertainment event." Because nothing says wholesome family fun like "a terrified monkey on a rocket dog."
The Selling Points Were… Questionable
Promoters pitched these races as hilarious, heartwarming entertainment. You could come see "Jo-Jo the Dog Jockey" or "Mr. Gizmo" take the inside rail like a tiny Evel Knievel. Some monkeys even learned to lean into turns, which was either adorable or deeply upsetting, depending on how many corn dogs you'd eaten by then.
Custom saddles were fashioned for these pint-sized daredevils. Tiny reins were made. Somewhere, there was probably a guy whose whole job was "monkey saddle specialist."
Because — and let's be clear — this is Florida. If it can wear a costume and move fast, someone here will try to race it.
The Part Where Everyone Realizes “Oh Wait, This Is Super Messed Up”
By the 1970s, people started asking important questions like, "Is the monkey… having fun?" and "Are we… the bad guys?" Turns out, monkeys don't naturally aspire to become professional greyhound jockeys. Animal rights groups like the ASPCA (and eventually PETA) made a lot of noise, and public tastes shifted from "haha look at the monkey" to "hey maybe stop traumatizing animals for $3 beers and cheap laughs."
Today, monkey jockey racing is considered one of those "How was this real?" moments in American entertainment — alongside things like sword-swallowing competitions and lawn darts marketed to children.
Oh, and Florida voters eventually banned greyhound racing altogether in 2018 with Amendment 13, which is honestly a miracle considering Florida is also the place where someone tried to enter an alligator into a frisbee competition.
BONUS ROUND: Monkey Jockeys on Pigs?!
Because Florida's motto should probably be "Why Stop There?," there are scattered reports of monkeys riding pigs at carnivals and fairs. Yes, they thought, "What if we took a frightened capuchin and duct-taped it onto a confused pig and just… let the magic happen?"
Even better: there were also "Monkey Speedway" races, where monkeys drove tiny cars around tracks while wearing racing suits. Somewhere, there's a ghost of a monkey still cursing the day it ever agreed to drive a 1940s go-kart fueled by ham sandwiches and human bad judgment.
Final Thought: Florida, Never Change (But Also Maybe Do)
Florida doesn't just "do weird" — it invents weird. Monkey jockey racing is just another reminder that, when given free reign and a few beers, Florida will always find new and horrifying ways to entertain itself.
So next time you feel like your life is chaotic, just remember: at least you're not riding a racing dog at 45 mph, wearing a tiny silk vest, in front of a crowd of drunk tourists.
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CTA: Did you ever hear a weird Florida story from your family? Drop it in the comments! (Bonus points if it involves a monkey, a racetrack, or someone shouting "Hold my beer.")