Kentucky Derby winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time [a] |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | Sonny Leon | Eric Reed | 2:02.61 |
| 2021 | Mandaloun [b] | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 2:01.02 |
| 2020 | Authentic | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert | 2:00.61 |
| 2019 | Country House [c] | Flavien Prat | Bill Mott | 2:03.93 |
Full Answer
Why is the Kentucky Derby the most important horse race in America?
Under Winn, Churchill Downs prospered, and the Kentucky Derby then became the preeminent stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses in North America. Thoroughbred owners began sending their successful Derby horses to compete in two other races.
What is the history of the Kentucky Derby?
The history of the Kentucky Derby originates in 1872, when the aforementioned Meriwether Lewis Clark traveled to Europe and attended the Epsom Derby in England, a race run since 1780, and met members of the French Jockey Club. Inspired by his trip and experience in Europe, he set out to create a similar racing event in the U.S.
Why is the Kentucky Derby so short?
Another change to the Derby that occurred in its early years was the shortening of the race. In 1896, following complaints by some members of the racing community that the distance was too long, the event was reduced from 1.5 miles to 1.25 miles, the length it remains today.
What gives everyone at the Kentucky Derby a front-row view?
^ "Giant screen at Churchill Downs gives everyone at Kentucky Derby a front-row view". kentucky. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
Why is the Kentucky Derby important?
It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes. Of the three Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby has the distinction of having been run uninterrupted since its inaugural race in 1875.
Is the Kentucky Derby the most important race?
Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious American horse race, established in 1875 and run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky.
What is the value of winning the Kentucky Derby?
The winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby will receive $1.86 million, which is more than 60 percent of the total purse.
What is the economic impact of the Derby for Kentucky?
The most recent economic impact study shows the Kentucky Derby has a $217 million economic impact on the region. Statewide, the equine industry has a $3 billion impact, generating over 55,000 jobs.
Why is it called the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is actually based off of and named for a prestigious race in England called the Derby (frequently referred to as the “Epsom Derby” after the track where it is held), and the story behind the name of England's Derby is equal parts interesting and amusing.
Why did the Kentucky Derby start?
With the help of his uncle's John & Henry Churchill, who gifted Clark the necessary land to develop a racetrack, and by formally organizing a group of local race fans to be named the Louisville Jockey Club, Clark and his new club raised funds to build a permanent racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
How much do jockeys get paid?
The salaries of Horse Jockeys in the US range from $10,049 to $271,427 , with a median salary of $48,880 . The middle 57% of Horse Jockeys makes between $48,882 and $123,036, with the top 86% making $271,427.
How much do jockeys make if they win Kentucky Derby?
Here's what you need to know about the @KentuckyDerby post positions. Meanwhile, the winning jockey who successfully crosses the finish line first will receive 10% of the winner's purse — which equates to a $186,000 payday before taxes and other payments.
How much does a horse owner win?
After monthly expenses and fees are paid, there is usually very little profit remaining for the horse owner. As an example, in a race with a purse of $10,000, the winning horse owner gets $6000. From this $6,000, the jockey and trainer fees are deducted, leaving the owner with $4800.
When did the Kentucky Derby start?
1949 marked the first year the Derby was locally televised. Three years later, in 1952, the Kentucky Derby made its debut on national TV.
Who started the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby was started by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., grandson of explorer William Clark, of Lewis and Clark Expedition fame. Clark, who was inspired by horse races he’d seen in Europe, raised the money to build Churchill Downs on land donated by his uncles.
What is the longest running sports event in the United States?
HORSES AND JOCKEYS. TRIPLE CROWN. KENTUCKY DERBY TRADITIONS. RUN FOR THE ROSES. Sources. The Kentucky Derby, first held in 1875 at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, is the longest-running sports event in the United States. Dubbed the “Run for the Roses,” the Derby features three-year-old thoroughbreds racing a distance of 1.25 miles.
Why do they put roses over horses in the Derby?
Fashion has been a part of the Derby since its inception, thanks to founder Clark, who wanted to improve the image of American racetracks and attract an upscale crowd to Churchill Downs.
How many black jockeys were in the Derby?
Thirteen of the fifteen jockeys in the inaugural Derby were black, and black riders played a dominant role in the race’s early years. Between 1875 and 1902, eleven black jockeys rode 15 of the winning horses.
How long was the Derby race?
In 1896, following complaints by some members of the racing community that the distance was too long, the event was reduced from 1.5 miles to 1.25 miles, the length it remains today.
How many people attended the first Kentucky Derby?
Famed for throwing extravagant parties, Clark envisioned his racetrack as a place where the city’s stylish residents would gather. On May 17, 1875, some 10,000 people attended the first Kentucky Derby, which featured a field of 15 three-year-old thoroughbreds racing 1.5 miles.
Why is the Kentucky Derby called the Run for the Roses?
It is dubbed "The Run for the Roses", stemming from the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is also known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" because of its approximate duration. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes. Of the three Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby has the distinction of having been run uninterrupted since its inaugural race in 1875. The race was rescheduled to September, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Preakness and Belmont Stakes races had taken hiatuses in 1891–1893 and 1911–1912, respectively. Even with the Olympics and major professional sports leagues canceled at those points, the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont took place during the Great Depression and both World Wars.
Why was the Kentucky Derby postponed?
In 2020, The Kentucky Derby was postponed from May 2 to September 5 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the second time in history the race had been postponed, the other being in 1945.
What was the first broadcast of the Kentucky Derby?
On May 16, 1925, the first live radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby aired on WHAS as well as on WGN in Chicago. On May 7, 1949, the first television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, produced by WAVE-TV, the NBC affiliate in Louisville. This coverage was aired live in the Louisville market and sent to NBC as a kinescope newsreel recording for national broadcast. On May 3, 1952, the first national television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, aired from then- CBS affiliate WHAS-TV. In 1954, the purse exceeded US$100,000 for the first time. In 1968, Dancer's Image became the first horse to win the race and then faced disqualification. A urine test revealed traces of phenylbutazone (an anti-inflammatory painkiller drug) inside Dancer's Image. Forward Pass won after a protracted legal battle by the owners of Dancer's Image (which they lost). Forward Pass thus became the eighth winner for Calumet Farm. Unexpectedly, the regulations at Kentucky thoroughbred race tracks were changed some years later, allowing horses to run on phenylbutazone. In 1970, Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in the Derby, finishing 15th aboard Fathom.
How many races do you need to win to win the Triple Crown?
A horse must win all three races to win the Triple Crown. In the 2015 listing of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Kentucky Derby tied with the Whitney Handicap as the top Grade 1 race in the United States outside the Breeders' Cup races.
How much is the Kentucky Derby?
1st: $1,860,000. The Kentucky Derby / ˈdɜːrbi / is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.
When did the Belmont and Preakness take place?
The Preakness and Belmont Stakes races had taken hiatuses in 1891–1893 and 1911–1912, respectively. Even with the Olympics and major professional sports leagues canceled at those points, the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont took place during the Great Depression and both World Wars.
How long was the first Derby?
1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs; 2.4 km) the same distance as the Epsom Derby, before changing lengths in 1896 to its current 1. +. 1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km). On May 17, 1875, in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses contested the first Derby.
Kentucky Derby Origins
The Kentucky Derby began all the way back in 1875 as one of the premier horse racing events in the country. While the Derby was a big deal from the very beginning, it wasn’t until decades later that it would truly make its mark as one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Racing and More
When most people think of the Kentucky Derby, they think of horse racing. The fact of the matter is, there’s a whole lot more to the Kentucky Derby than racing. For many attendees, the races take a backseat to all the other fun aspects of the event.
