Kentucky Derby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kentucky Derby

Grade I race
"The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" "The Run for the Roses" "The First Jewel Of The Triple Crown"
Location	Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Inaugurated	May 17, 1875 (150 years ago) (1875-05-17)
Race type	Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Woodford Reserve (Brown–Forman)
Race information
Distance	1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km)
Record	1:59.4, Secretariat (1973) more
Surface	Dirt
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	3-year-old
Weight	Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg) Filly: 121 lb (55 kg)
Purse	US$5 million 1st: $3.1 million

The Kentucky Derby is a famous horse race held every year in Louisville, Kentucky. It takes place at a special track called Churchill Downs. This race is for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. They run a distance of about 1.25 miles. Male horses (colts and geldings) carry 126 pounds, while female horses (fillies) carry 121 pounds.

The Derby happens on the first Saturday in May. It is the first part of the Triple Crown, which includes two other big races. Before the Derby, there's a two-week celebration called the Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is often called "The Run for the Roses" because the winning horse gets a blanket of beautiful roses. The race is very fast, usually lasting only about two minutes. Because of this, it's also known as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports."

The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875. Unlike many other old races, the Kentucky Derby has been run every single year since it started. It was only moved to a different date twice: once during World War II in 1945 and again in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Derby is one of the oldest major sports events in the U.S. that has happened every year on the same track. It is also the most-watched horse race in the United States. The 151st Kentucky Derby took place on May 3, 2025.

How the Kentucky Derby Started

In 1872, a man named Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. visited England and France. He saw famous horse races there, like The Derby in England and the Grand Prix de Paris in France. When he returned to Kentucky, Clark decided to create a similar exciting race. He started the Louisville Jockey Club to build a great racetrack. This track later became known as Churchill Downs, named after the Churchill family who owned the land. The name became official in 1937.

The first Kentucky Derby was run on May 17, 1875. About 10,000 people watched 15 horses compete. A horse named Aristides, ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis, won that first race. The race was originally longer, but in 1896, it changed to its current length of 1.25 miles.

Alan-A-Dale, ridden by jockey Jimmy Winkfield, won the Derby in 1902.

At first, the track had some money problems. But in 1902, a group led by Matt Winn took over. Under Winn's leadership, Churchill Downs became very successful. The Kentucky Derby grew into the most important race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds in North America.

The Triple Crown Connection

Horse owners started sending their Derby winners to compete in two other big races: the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York. These three races offered large prize money. In 1919, Sir Barton was the first horse to win all three races.

The term "Triple Crown" became popular in 1930. That year, Gallant Fox became the second horse to win all three races. Sportswriters helped make the idea of a "superhorse" that could win the Triple Crown very exciting for the public.

To make the Triple Crown schedule work better, the Kentucky Derby's date was changed in 1931 to the first Saturday in May. Since then, the order of the races has usually been the Kentucky Derby, then the Preakness Stakes, and finally the Belmont Stakes.

Churchill Downs in 1901

The Kentucky Derby was first broadcast live on radio in 1925. In 1949, it was shown on television for the first time in Louisville, and then nationally in 1952. In 1954, the prize money for the race went over $100,000 for the first time.

In 1968, a horse named Dancer's Image won the race but was later disqualified. A test showed he had a substance that was not allowed at the time. Forward Pass was then named the winner. Later, the rules changed, and that substance became allowed. In 1970, Diane Crump made history as the first female jockey to ride in the Derby.

The fastest Derby time ever was in 1973, when Secretariat finished in 1 minute and 59.4 seconds. He broke the old record and even ran faster in each part of the race. In 2001, Monarchos also finished in under two minutes, with a time of 1:59.97.

In 2019, the prize money for the Kentucky Derby increased to $3 million. In January 2024, it was raised again to $5 million.

In 2020, the Derby was moved from May to September because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was only the second time in history the race had been postponed. For the 2020 race, Churchill Downs used a new, single starting gate for all 20 horses, which helped make the start smoother.

In 2022, a horse named Rich Strike won the race even though he was a last-minute entry and had very long odds (80 to 1). This was a big surprise!

The Kentucky Derby sign for the 2024 Derby, the 150th running of the Derby, with one of the twin spires in the background.

Who Attends the Derby?

Millions of people around the world watch and bet on the Kentucky Derby. In 2017, over 158,000 people attended the race at Churchill Downs. Many celebrities also come to the Derby. Even HM Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2007!

Derby Sponsors

Since 2004, jockeys have been allowed to wear company logos on their clothes during the race. In 2006, the fast-food company Yum! Brands became a main sponsor. In 2018, Woodford Reserve took over as the main sponsor. The Swiss watchmaker Longines is the official timekeeper for the race.

Derby Traditions

The Kentucky Derby is famous for its many traditions. The mint julep is the official drink of the race. It's a cold drink made with bourbon, mint, and sugar. Many people drink it from special souvenir glasses that list all past Derby winners. Another popular food is burgoo, a thick stew with different meats and vegetables.

Louisville Clock (often called the Louisville Derby Clock), which was taken down in 2015)

The "infield" is a large area inside the track where many people gather to party. It's a fun place, but it can be hard to see the race from there without the big screens. On the other hand, "Millionaire's Row" is where the rich and famous sit in expensive seats. Women often wear elegant outfits and large, fancy hats.

Before the race, a bugler plays "Call to the Post". Then, as the horses parade, the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band plays "My Old Kentucky Home", and the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers sing along. This tradition started in 1921.

The Derby is often called "The Run for the Roses" because the winning horse receives a blanket of 554 red roses. This tradition started in 1883 when someone gave roses to ladies at a party after the Derby. The founder of Churchill Downs, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., liked the idea and made the rose the official flower of the race. The Governor of Kentucky and the Chairman of Churchill Downs present the rose blanket and the Kentucky Derby Trophy to the winner.

Riders Up!

"Riders Up!" is a special command given by the Paddock Judge, telling the jockeys to get on their horses before the race. Since 2012, a famous person, called the grand marshal, says this phrase.

Grand Marshals

• 2025: Simone Biles
• 2024: Martha Stewart
• 2023: Patrick Mahomes
• 2022: Jack Harlow
• 2021: D. Wayne Lukas
• 2020: No grand marshal due to COVID-19 pandemic
• 2019: Baker Mayfield
• 2018: Laila Ali
• 2017: Jeff Bridges
• 2016: Sean Payton
• 2015: Teddy Bridgewater
• 2014: Julius Erving
• 2013: Charlie Strong
• 2012: John Calipari

National Anthem Performers

Many famous singers have performed the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby.

• 2025: Grace Potter
• 2024: Wynonna Judd
• 2023: Carly Pearce
• 2022: Brittney Spencer
• 2021: Tori Kelly
• 2019: Jennifer Nettles
• 2018: Pentatonix
• 2017: Harry Connick Jr.
• 2016: Lady Antebellum
• 2015: Josh Groban
• 2014: Jo Dee Messina
• 2013: Martina McBride
• 2012: Mary J. Blige
• 2011: Jordin Sparks
• 2010: Rascal Flatts
• 2009: LeAnn Rimes

Kentucky Derby Festival

The Kentucky Derby Festival is a series of events that happen in the weeks before the race. It usually starts with Thunder Over Louisville, a huge airshow and fireworks display.

Derby Records

Horse Records

• The fastest time in the Derby was 1:59.4 minutes, set by Secretariat in 1973.
• The biggest winning margin is 8 lengths. Four horses have done this: Old Rosebud (1914), Johnstown (1939), Whirlaway (1941), and Assault (1946).
• The horse with the highest winning odds was Donerail in 1913, at 91 to 1. Rich Strike in 2022 had the second-highest odds at 80 to 1.
• Only three horses have won the Derby without racing as a two-year-old: Apollo (1882), Justify (2018), and Mage (2023).

Jockey Records

Many jockeys have won the Kentucky Derby. Here are some who have won multiple times:

Trainer Records

Here are some trainers who have won the Kentucky Derby multiple times:

Owner Records

Here are some owners who have won the Kentucky Derby multiple times:

* Partnered with other entities in an ownership group for one or more winning horses.

Winning Both the Oaks and Derby

The Kentucky Oaks is a race for female horses (fillies) held the day before the Derby. Winning both the Oaks and the Derby in the same year is called an "Oaks/Derby Double." Here are the jockeys, trainers, and owners who have achieved this:

*Until the 1950s, the Oaks was held several days or weeks after the Derby.

Kentucky Derby Winners

Triple Crown winners are shown in bold and highlighted in gold.

Kentucky Derby winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance (miles)	Track condition	Time
2025	Sovereignty	Junior Alvarado	William I. Mott	Godolphin	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:02.31
2024	Mystik Dan	Brian Hernandez Jr.	Kenneth G. McPeek	Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing (Brent Gasaway), Daniel Hamby III, Valley View Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.34
2023	Mage	Javier Castellano	Gustavo Delgado	OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.57
2022	Rich Strike	Sonny Leon	Eric Reed	RED TR-Racing	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.61
2021	Mandaloun	Florent Geroux	Brad Cox	Juddmonte	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.02
2020	Authentic	John Velazquez	Bob Baffert	Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, Starlight Racing	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:00.61
2019	Country House	Flavien Prat	William I. Mott	Mrs. J.V. Shields Jr., E. J. M. McFadden Jr., LNJ Foxwoods	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:03.93
2018	Justify	Mike Smith	Bob Baffert	China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:04.20
2017	Always Dreaming	John Velazquez	Todd Pletcher	MeB Racing, Brooklyn Boyz, Teresa Viola, St. Elias, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds	1+1⁄4	Wet Fast (sealed)	2:03.59
2016	Nyquist	Mario Gutierrez	Doug O'Neill	Reddam Racing	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.31
2015	American Pharoah	Victor Espinoza	Bob Baffert	Zayat Stables	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.02
2014	California Chrome	Victor Espinoza	Art Sherman	Steve Coburn & Perry Martin	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.66
2013	Orb	Joel Rosario	Claude McGaughey III	Stuart S. Janney III, Phipps Stable	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:02.89
2012	I'll Have Another	Mario Gutierrez	Doug O'Neill	Reddam Racing	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.83
2011	Animal Kingdom	John Velazquez	Graham Motion	Team Valor International	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.04
2010	Super Saver	Calvin Borel	Todd Pletcher	WinStar Farm	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:04.45
2009	Mine That Bird	Calvin Borel	Bennie Woolley Jr.	Double Eagle Ranch, Buena Suerte Equine	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:02.66
2008	Big Brown	Kent Desormeaux	Rick Dutrow Jr.	IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr.	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.82
2007	Street Sense	Calvin Borel	Carl Nafzger	Jim Tafel	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.17
2006	Barbaro	Edgar Prado	Michael Matz	Lael Stables	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.36
2005	Giacomo	Mike Smith	John Shirreffs	Jerry & Ann Moss	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.75
2004	Smarty Jones	Stewart Elliott	John Servis	Someday Farm	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:04.06
2003	Funny Cide	José Santos	Barclay Tagg	Sackatoga Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.19
2002	War Emblem	Victor Espinoza	Bob Baffert	The Thoroughbred Corp.	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.13
2001	Monarchos	Jorge Chavez	John Ward Jr.	John Oxley	1+1⁄4	Fast	1:59.97
2000	Fusaichi Pegasus	Kent Desormeaux	Neil Drysdale	Fusao Sekiguchi	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.0
1999	Charismatic	Chris Antley	D. Wayne Lukas	Bob & Beverly Lewis	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.2
1998	Real Quiet	Kent Desormeaux	Bob Baffert	Michael E. Pegram	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1997	Silver Charm	Gary Stevens	Bob Baffert	Bob & Beverly Lewis	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.4
1996	Grindstone	Jerry Bailey	D. Wayne Lukas	Overbrook Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.0
1995	Thunder Gulch	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	Michael Tabor	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.2
1994	Go for Gin	Chris McCarron	Nick Zito	Bill Condren, Joe Cornacchia	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:03.6
1993	Sea Hero	Jerry Bailey	MacKenzie Miller	Rokeby Stables	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.4
1992	Lil E. Tee	Pat Day	Lynn Whiting	Cal Partee	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.0
1991	Strike the Gold	Chris Antley	Nick Zito	Bill Condren, Joe Cornacchia, B. Giles Brophy	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.0
1990	Unbridled	Craig Perret	Carl Nafzger	Frances A. Genter Stable	1+1⁄4	Good	2:02.0
1989	Sunday Silence	Pat Valenzuela	Charlie Whittingham	H-G-W Partners	1+1⁄4	Muddy	2:05.0
1988	Winning Colors	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	Eugene Klein	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1987	Alysheba	Chris McCarron	Jack Van Berg	Dorothy & Pamela Scharbauer	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.4
1986	Ferdinand	Bill Shoemaker	Charlie Whittingham	Elizabeth Keck	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.8
1985	Spend A Buck	Ángel Cordero Jr.	Cam Gambolati	Hunter Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:00.2
1984	Swale	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Woody Stephens	Claiborne Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.4
1983	Sunny's Halo	Eddie Delahoussaye	David Cross Jr.	D.J. Foster Racing Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1982	Gato Del Sol	Eddie Delahoussaye	Edwin Gregson	Arthur B. Hancock III, Leone J. Peters	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.4
1981	Pleasant Colony	Jorge Velásquez	John Campo	Buckland Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.0
1980	Genuine Risk	Jacinto Vásquez	LeRoy Jolley	Diana M. Firestone	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.0
1979	Spectacular Bid	Ronnie Franklin	Bud Delp	Hawksworth Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.4
1978	Affirmed	Steve Cauthen	Laz Barrera	Harbor View Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.2
1977	Seattle Slew	Jean Cruguet	Billy Turner Jr.	Karen Taylor	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1976	Bold Forbes	Ángel Cordero Jr.	Laz Barrera	E. Rodriguez Tizol	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.6
1975	Foolish Pleasure	Jacinto Vásquez	LeRoy Jolley	John Greer	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.0
1974	Cannonade	Ángel Cordero Jr.	Woody Stephens	John Olin	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.0
1973	Secretariat	Ron Turcotte	Lucien Laurin	Meadow Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	1:59.4
1972	Riva Ridge	Ron Turcotte	Lucien Laurin	Meadow Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.8
1971	Canonero II	Gustavo Ávila	Juan Arias	Edgar Caibett	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.2
1970	Dust Commander	Mike Manganello	Don Combs	Robert Lehmann	1+1⁄4	Good	2:03.4
1969	Majestic Prince	Bill Hartack	Johnny Longden	Frank McMahon	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.8
1968	Forward Pass	Ismael Valenzuela	Henry Forrest	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1967	Proud Clarion	Bobby Ussery	Loyd Gentry Jr.	Darby Dan Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:00.6
1966	Kauai King	Don Brumfield	Henry Forrest	Ford Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.0
1965	Lucky Debonair	Bill Shoemaker	Frank Catrone	Ada Rice	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.2
1964	Northern Dancer	Bill Hartack	Horatio Luro	Windfields Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:00.0
1963	Chateaugay	Braulio Baeza	James P. Conway	Darby Dan Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.8
1962	Decidedly	Bill Hartack	Horatio Luro	El Peco Ranch	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:00.4
1961	Carry Back	Johnny Sellers	Jack Price	Katherine Price	1+1⁄4	Good	2:04.0
1960	Venetian Way	Bill Hartack	Victor Sovinski	Sunny Blue Farm	1+1⁄4	Good	2:02.4
1959	Tomy Lee	Bill Shoemaker	Frank Childs	Fred & Juliette Turner Jr.	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1958	Tim Tam	Ismael Valenzuela	Jimmy Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Muddy	2:05.0
1957	Iron Liege	Bill Hartack	Jimmy Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.2
1956	Needles	David Erb	Hugh Fontaine	D & H Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.4
1955	Swaps	Bill Shoemaker	Mesh Tenney	Rex Ellsworth	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.8
1954	Determine	Raymond York	William Molter	Andy Crevolin	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.0
1953	Dark Star	Henry Moreno	Eddie Hayward	Cain Hoy Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.0
1952	Hill Gail	Eddie Arcaro	Ben Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.6
1951	Count Turf	Conn McCreary	Sol Rutchick	Jack Amiel	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:02.6
1950	Middleground	William Boland	Max Hirsch	King Ranch	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.6
1949	Ponder	Steve Brooks	Ben Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.2
1948	Citation	Eddie Arcaro	Ben Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:05.4
1947	Jet Pilot	Eric Guerin	Tom Smith	Maine Chance Farm	1+1⁄4	Slow	2:06.8
1946	Assault	Warren Mehrtens	Max Hirsch	King Ranch	1+1⁄4	Slow	2:06.6
1945	Hoop Jr.	Eddie Arcaro	Ivan Parke	Fred Hooper	1+1⁄4	Muddy	2:07.0
1944	Pensive	Conn McCreary	Ben Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Good	2:04.2
1943	Count Fleet	Johnny Longden	Don Cameron	Fannie Hertz	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.0
1942	Shut Out	Wayne Wright	John Gaver Sr.	Greentree Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.4
1941	Whirlaway	Eddie Arcaro	Ben Jones	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.4
1940	Gallahadion	Carroll Bierman	Roy Waldron	Milky Way Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:05.0
1939	Johnstown	James Stout	Jim Fitzsimmons	Belair Stud	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.4
1938	Lawrin	Eddie Arcaro	Ben Jones	Woolford Farm	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.8
1937	War Admiral	Charley Kurtsinger	George Conway	Glen Riddle Farms	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.2
1936	Bold Venture	Ira Hanford	Max Hirsch	Morton Schwartz	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.6
1935	Omaha	Willie Saunders	Jim Fitzsimmons	Belair Stud	1+1⁄4	Good	2:05.0
1934	Cavalcade	Mack Garner	Bob Smith	Brookmeade Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.0
1933	Brokers Tip	Don Meade	Herbert J. Thompson	Edward R. Bradley	1+1⁄4	Good	2:06.8
1932	Burgoo King	Eugene James	Herbert J. Thompson	Edward R. Bradley	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:05.2
1931	Twenty Grand	Charley Kurtsinger	James Rowe Jr.	Greentree Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:01.8
1930	Gallant Fox	Earl Sande	Jim Fitzsimmons	Belair Stud	1+1⁄4	Good	2:07.6
1929	Clyde Van Dusen	Linus McAtee	Clyde Van Dusen	Herbert Gardner	1+1⁄4	Muddy	2:10.8
1928	Reigh Count	Chick Lang	Bert Michell	Fannie Hertz	1+1⁄4	Heavy	2:10.4
1927	Whiskery	Linus McAtee	Fred Hopkins	Harry Payne Whitney	1+1⁄4	Slow	2:06.0
1926	Bubbling Over	Albert Johnson	Herbert J. Thompson	Edward R. Bradley (Idle Hour Stock Farm)	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.8
1925	Flying Ebony	Earl Sande	William Duke	Gifford Cochran	1+1⁄4	Sloppy	2:07.6
1924	Black Gold	John Mooney	Hanley Webb	Rosa Hoots	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:05.2
1923	Zev	Earl Sande	David Leary	Rancocas Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:05.4
1922	Morvich	Albert Johnson	Fred Burlew	Ben Block	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.6
1921	Behave Yourself	Charles Thompson	Herbert J. Thompson	Edward R. Bradley	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.2
1920	Paul Jones	Ted Rice	William Garth	Ral Parr	1+1⁄4	Slow	2:09.0
1919	Sir Barton	Johnny Loftus	H. Guy Bedwell	J. K. L. Ross	1+1⁄4	Heavy	2:09.8
1918	Exterminator	Willie Knapp	Henry McDaniel	Willis Sharpe Kilmer	1+1⁄4	Muddy	2:10.8
1917	Omar Khayyam	Charles Borel	Charles T. Patterson	C.K.G. Billings, Frederick Johnson	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.6
1916	George Smith	Johnny Loftus	Hollie Hughes	John Sanford	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.0
1915	Regret	Joe Notter	James Rowe Sr.	Harry Payne Whitney	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:05.4
1914	Old Rosebud	John McCabe	Frank Weir	Hamilton Applegate	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:03.40
1913	Donerail	Roscoe Goose	Thomas P. Hayes	Thomas P. Hayes	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:04.8
1912	Worth	Carroll Shilling	Frank Taylor	Harry Hallenbeck	1+1⁄4	Muddy	2:09.4
1911	Meridian	George Archibald	Albert Ewing	Richard F. Carman	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:05.0
1910	Donau	Frederick Herbert	George Ham	William Gerst	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:06.4
1909	Wintergreen	Vincent Powers	Charles Mack	Jerome B. Respess	1+1⁄4	Slow	2:08.2
1908	Stone Street	Arthur Pickens	John Hall	C. E. & J. W. Hamilton	1+1⁄4	Heavy	2:15.2
1907	Pink Star	Andy Minder	William H. Fizer	J. Hal Woodford	1+1⁄4	Heavy	2:12.6
1906	Sir Huon	Roscoe Troxler	Peter Coyne	Bashford Manor Stable	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:08.8
1905	Agile	Jack Martin	Robert Tucker	Samuel S. Brown	1+1⁄4	Heavy	2:10.75
1904	Elwood	Shorty Prior	Charles Durnell	Laska Durnell	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:08.5
1903	Judge Himes	Harold Booker	John P. Mayberry	Charles R. Ellison	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:09.0
1902	Alan-a-Dale	Jimmy Winkfield	Thomas Clay McDowell	Thomas Clay McDowell	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:08.75
1901	His Eminence	Jimmy Winkfield	Frank B. Van Meter	Frank B. Van Meter	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:07.75
1900	Lieut. Gibson	Jimmy Boland	Charles Hughes	Charles H. Smith	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:06.25
1899	Manuel	Fred Taral	Robert Walden	A. H. & D. H. Morris	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:12.0
1898	Plaudit	Willie Simms	John E. Madden	John E. Madden	1+1⁄4	Good	2:09.0
1897	Typhoon II	Buttons Garner	Julius C. Cahn	Julius C. Cahn	1+1⁄4	Heavy	2:12.5
1896	Ben Brush	Willie Simms	Hardy Campbell	Mike F. Dwyer	1+1⁄4	Fast	2:07.75
1895	Halma	James Perkins	Byron McClelland	Byron McClelland	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:37.5
1894	Chant	Frank Goodale	Eugene Leigh	Eugene Leigh, Robert Rose	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:41.0
1893	Lookout	Eddie Kunze	William McDaniel	J.E. Cushin, J. Orth	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:39.25
1892	Azra	Alonzo Clayton	John Morris	Bashford Manor Stable	1+1⁄2	Heavy	2:41.5
1891	Kingman	Isaac Murphy	Dudley Allen	Jacobin Stable	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:52.25
1890	Riley	Isaac Murphy	Edward Corrigan	Edward Corrigan	1+1⁄2	Muddy	2:45.0
1889	Spokane	Thomas Kiley	John Rodegap	Noah Armstrong	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:34.5
1888	Macbeth II	George Covington	John Campbell	Chicago Stable	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:38.25
1887	Montrose	Isaac Lewis	John McGinty	Labold Brothers	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:39.25
1886	Ben Ali	Paul Duffy	Jim Murphy	James B. Haggin	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:36.5
1885	Joe Cotton	Erskine Henderson	Abraham Perry	James T. Williams	1+1⁄2	Good	2:37.25
1884	Buchanan	Isaac Murphy	William Bird	William Cottrill, Sam S. Brown	1+1⁄2	Good	2:40.25
1883	Leonatus	William Donohue	Raleigh Colston Sr.	Jack P. Chinn, George Morgan	1+1⁄2	Heavy	2:43.0
1882	Apollo	Babe Hurd	Green B. Morris	Green B. Morris, James D. Patton	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:40.25
1881	Hindoo	Jim McLaughlin	James Rowe Sr.	Dwyer Brothers	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:40.0
1880	Fonso	George Lewis	Tice Hutsell	J.S. Shawhan	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:37.50
1879	Lord Murphy	Charlie Shauer	George Rice	George W. Darden & Co.	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:37.00
1878	Day Star	Jimmy Carter	Lee Paul	Thomas J. Nichols	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:37.25
1877	Baden-Baden	Billy Walker	Ed Brown	Daniel Swigert	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:38.0
1876	Vagrant	Robert Swim	James Williams	William Astor Jr.	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:38.25
1875	Aristides	Oliver Lewis	Ansel Williamson	Hal Price McGrath	1+1⁄2	Fast	2:37.75

Notes

Means the winner was a female horse.

Means the horse was named the best American horse in the same year they won the Derby.

Means the horse was later added to the National Racing Hall of Fame.

Horse Family Lines

Horses that win the Kentucky Derby often come from famous family lines. All Derby winners can be traced back to three main founding fathers of Thoroughbreds. The Darley Arabian is the ancestor of most winners, including all winners since 1938.

The Into Mischief family line has produced 4 of the last 6 Kentucky Derby winners.

Darley Arabian Family Tree

The Darley Arabian family line has produced 133 Derby winners. This includes all winners from 1938 until now.

Byerley Turk Family Tree

The Byerley Turk family line has produced 11 Derby winners.

Godolphin Arabian Family Tree

The Godolphin Arabian family line has produced 7 Derby winners.

Derby Winners with Winning Descendants

Some Kentucky Derby winners have gone on to have sons or grandsons who also won the Derby:

• Northern Dancer (1964 winner) – 9 winners, including Sovereignty (2025)
• Ben Brush (1896 winner) – 3 winners, including Whiskery (1927)
• Seattle Slew (1977 winner) – 3 winners, including California Chrome (2014)
• Unbridled (1990 winner) – 3 winners, including American Pharoah (2015)
• Hindoo (1881 winner) – 2 winners, including Alan-a-Dale (1902)
• Bold Venture (1936 winner) – 2 winners, including Middleground (1950)
• Reigh Count (1928 winner) – 2 winners, including Count Turf (1951)
• Pensive (1944 winner) – 2 winners, including Needles (1956)
• Majestic Prince (1969 winner) – 2 winners, including Super Saver (2010)
• Halma (1895 winner) – 1 winner: Alan-a-Dale (1902)
• Leonatus (1883 winner) – 1 winner: Pink Star (1907)
• Bubbling Over (1926 winner) – 1 winner: Burgoo King (1932)
• Gallant Fox (1930 winner) – 1 winner: Omaha (1935)
• Count Fleet (1943 winner) – 1 winner: Count Turf (1951)
• Ponder (1949 winner) – 1 winner: Needles (1956)
• Determine (1954 winner) – 1 winner: Decidedly (1962)
• Swaps (1955 winner) – 1 winner: Chateaugay (1963)
• Grindstone (1996 winner) – 1 winner: Mine That Bird (2009)

See also

In Spanish: Derby de Kentucky para niños

• Kentucky Oaks
• Kentucky Derby Festival
• American thoroughbred racing top attended events
• Kentucky Derby top four finishers
• List of graded stakes at Churchill Downs
• "... and Depraved", a famous article by Hunter S. Thompson
• Triple Crown Productions
• Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
• Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing
• List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
• Derby pie
• List of Kentucky Derby broadcasters