In the event you’ve opened this story you in all probability have an interest within the Kentucky Derby however won’t know an entire lot about horse racing or the Triple Crown. By no means concern, America’s Greatest Racing is right here to assist.
The Kentucky Derby is the most-watched horse race of the 12 months in the US and is broadly thought-about one of the crucial essential sporting occasions within the nation, having grown to turn into way more than only a horse race since Aristides gained the primary version in 1875.
The Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve is the primary jewel of the Triple Crown, a sequence of races that features the Preakness Stakes two weeks later in Baltimore and concludes with the Belmont Stakes three weeks after that in New York. The 13 horses which have gained all three races are generally known as Triple Crown winners, however let’s not get too far forward of ourselves.
Beginning with the fundamentals of who, what, when, the place, and why, after which spreading out from there, let’s discover the Kentucky Derby.
WHO: The Greatest 3-Yr-Previous Racehorses
The Kentucky Derby is restricted to 3-year-old racehorses, male or feminine, so a Thoroughbred is eligible for the race solely as soon as of their lives. Horses have to be nominated to the Triple Crown after which qualify for the Kentucky Derby by a sequence of races that award factors to the highest 4 finishers. The Kentucky Derby subject is restricted to twenty runners.
Three fillies (feminine 3-year-old racehorses) have gained the Kentucky Derby: Remorse (1915), Real Danger (1980), and Profitable Colours (1988).
WHAT: The ‘Run for the Roses’
The Kentucky Derby is usually known as the run for the roses as a result of the winner has a blanket of roses draped over his/her again after the race. As talked about above, the Kentucky Derby is just for 3-year-olds and restricted to twenty starters. The race itself is a 1 ¼-mile race on a dust fundamental monitor that may be a take a look at of each pace and stamina.
The oldest constantly held main sporting occasion within the U.S., the race additionally is often known as “The Most Thrilling Two Minutes in Sports activities.”
WHEN: The First Saturday in Might
The Kentucky Derby is held yearly on the primary Saturday in Might. From 1946 by 2019, the race was held on the primary Saturday of the month of Might till COVID-19 in 2020 pressured the postponement of the race till September. The Kentucky Derby returned to its normal place on the calendar in 2021. In 2024, the Kentucky Derby was held for the 150th time and gained by Mystik Dan, and final 12 months’s winner, Sovereignty, went on so as to add victories within the Belmont Stakes Offered by NYRA Bets and DraftKings Travers Stakes.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby would be the 152nd version of the race.
The race has been held outdoors the month of Might solely thrice: Monday, April 29, 1901; Saturday, June 9, 1945; and Sept. 5, 2020. The Kentucky Derby has been run on a Saturday on 117 events and every day of the week besides Sunday. The final time it wasn’t staged on a Saturday was 1910.
Kentucky is the epicenter of the Thoroughbred racehorse in the US with roughly 47% of all racehorses bred within the state, so it is sensible that crucial race within the nation would happen in Kentucky. Churchill Downs in Louisville – about 70 miles west of the breeding capital in Lexington – is the host monitor of the Kentucky Derby below its famed Twin Spires that sit atop the racetrack grandstand.
Churchill Downs, situated on Central Avenue in Louisville, opened in 1875 and held the primary Kentucky Derby the identical 12 months. The monitor is called for John and Henry Churchill, who leased 80 acres of land to their nephew, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. (grandson of explorer William Clark).
WHY: Impressed Overseas
The historical past 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 Membership. Impressed by his journey and expertise in Europe, he got down to create an identical racing occasion within the U.S.
Gifted the land to develop a racetrack and, after formally organizing the Louisville Jockey Membership, Clark and his new membership raised the funding to construct Churchill Downs in Louisville. On Might 17, 1875, the monitor opened its gates for the primary time and the Louisville Jockey Membership sponsored the inaugural Kentucky Derby. Fifteen 3-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses competed within the 1 ½-mile race in entrance of roughly 10,000 followers with Aristides prevailing.
Within the years since that first working, the Kentucky Derby has advanced and turn into crucial occasion on the racing calendar in addition to the principle focus of horse racing followers each spring, a time when 3-year-old racehorses steadily mature mentally and develop bodily into elite athletes.
HOW TO WATCH IN 2026
The race might be televised, as normal, on NBC in the course of the community’s fundamental telecast. NBC Sports activities holds unique broadcast rights to the Kentucky Derby and can showcase the race to tens of millions of viewers worldwide because the centerpiece of its protection unfold throughout two days. Different races might be streamed on Peacock and proven on different networks below the NBC umbrella and likewise televised on FanDuel TV.
America’s Greatest Racing will present updates proper right here on what to anticipate Might 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs, together with a number of useful guides for these planning to attend.
PICK A HORSE TO ROOT FOR
Now that the nuts and bolts, it’s good to decide a horse to root for within the Kentucky Derby, however how do you resolve? The simple reply is that it’s the horse, after all!
Racehorses, like individuals, have completely different personalities and qualities on and off the monitor.
Whereas Thoroughbreds have a popularity for being a bit hot-blooded, there are racehorses that love to be doted upon and fed carrots, apples, and peppermints whereas others who would possibly take a piece out of your again if you happen to’re not paying consideration. A flashy racehorse would possibly catch your eye or perhaps a plain horse with humble beginnings is extra your kind. Some horses are all pace and need to go-go-go as quickly because the race begins; others choose to race in the back of the pack and wait till the top and take a look at for and attention-grabbing rally (word: I’m a sucker for the sort of runner, which is named a better). Typically it’s so simple as liking a racehorse’s title (see under).
We’ll have a slideshow of the Kentucky Derby contenders and nicknames and quirks for the horses that can assist you decide within the coming months in addition to a number of different options like our useful Derby Cheat Sheet and straightforward “At a Look” look on the subject for the run for the roses that can assist you discover your Derby horse. We’ll even have a function on how briskly the contenders completed of their last prep races in addition to a historic take a look at traits to keep watch over and a few key particulars in regards to the significance of submit positions. In fact, please additionally take a look at our Triple Crown web page that options the main contenders and hyperlinks to their profiles.
There clearly are additionally monetary causes to root for a Kentucky Derby runner. In the event you wager $5 to win on a horse who’s 20-1 odds, you’re mainly required to hoot and holler if that horse is vying for the lead within the Churchill Downs stretch on Derby day. Shouting one thing like “C’mon, one time!” or “Carry him residence for me, [insert jockey name]!” make you seem like you’re a seasoned veteran at these items.
SPEAKING OF NAMES
One factor that always sparks the curiosity of newcomers to horse racing is how racehorses get their names. The quick reply is that house owners get to decide on the title of their racehorse, but it surely have to be accredited by The Jockey Membership, which serves because the official registry for North American Thoroughbred racehorses and has a algorithm for naming horses.
However there’s a lot extra to naming racehorses. Typically they’re impressed by popular culture themes like Star Wars or Star Trek, typically a sport or a crew is the inspiration, and patriotism is usually a central theme for racing stables. Typically a single Tweet can function the inspiration as was the case with LNJ Foxwoods’ two-time champion Covfefe. Typically, stables title racehorses after kids or after a dearly departed member of the family.
Many racehorse sires (fathers) spark a wave of names. Storm Cat led to notable “cats” like 1994 Preakness Stakes winner Tabasco Cat and 1999 Breeders’ Cup Traditional winner Cat Thief, whereas Kitten’s Pleasure was the sire of champion Large Blue Kitten and 2015 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Stephanie’s Kitten.
Most frequently, nonetheless, racehorses are named for some mixture of their pedigree or parentage, utilizing the names of sire (father) and dam (mom) to type a reputation. Typically it may be extremely simple; for instance, owner-breeder Chuck Fipke tries to maintain it easy since he has a reasonably huge breeding and racing operation with names like Without end Unbridled (by sire Unbridled’s Music out of dam Lemons Without end) or Good Shirl (by Good Soul out of Woman Shirl).
Utilizing that construction of constructing off the names of each father and mom, house owners may also get fairly inventive with names like 2020 Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Legislation (by Structure out of Tizfiz) or stakes winner Shoplifted (by Into Mischief out of Shopit).
If a Derby runner’s title catches your eye, you might need your horse. Or perhaps, there’s extra to the story that makes a horse straightforward to cheer for …
CONNECT WITH THE ‘CONNECTIONS’
You would possibly see the time period “connections” for a horse talked about, which merely means the individuals linked to the Kentucky Derby runners.
Like racehorses, the jockeys, trainers, house owners, and breeders of those fantastic animals come from all kinds of backgrounds and throughout the nation – there are a trio of Corridor of Fame trainers whose legacies hint again to South Dakota – so it is a sport with a seemingly countless array of tales. In the event you learn a narrative that connects you with somebody, you’ve acquired your Kentucky Derby horse. Twenty-one years in the past, as a Delawarean whose dad and mom have been from Philadelphia, I linked with unlikely 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, whose house owners raced as Sometime Farm with just one horse left of their steady and with a Pennsylvania-based coach and jockey. The subsequent 12 months Delaware Park-based Afleet Alex helped elevate cash to fight childhood most cancers through Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and I used to be firmly on his bandwagon when he gained the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Maintain an eye fixed out for compelling human-interest tales right here at America’s Greatest Racing by social media, and on different racing web sites to discover a connection. In 2024, followers of the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals have been excited to study that All-Star outfielder and World Champion Jayson Werth owned a minority curiosity in Kentucky Derby hopeful Dornoch, who went on to win the Belmont Stakes.
TRADITIONS
The Kentucky Derby has advanced from a sporting occasion into a part of the material of American tradition. As you would possibly anticipate, there are a lot of traditions related to the race from the garland of roses offered to the winner to the Twin Spires that overlook the Churchill Downs stretch. However we’re solely scratching the floor.
Different notable traditions embrace internet hosting the Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on the Friday earlier than the Kentucky Derby; the mint julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby (make sure you learn this useful information); the singing of “My Previous Kentucky Dwelling” when the racehorses stroll onto the racetrack earlier than the beginning of the race; celebrities coming from throughout the nation and the world to attend the race; and the Kentucky Derby hat as the point of interest of the style of the occasion.
IT’S A PARTY
A part of the attract of the Kentucky Derby annually is undoubtedly the get together side. The infield on Kentucky Derby day usually attracts every kind of followers from partiers to households to gamblers and extra. Many mint juleps are consumed within the infield at a typical Kentucky Derby, which from 2000 to 2019 drew from 140,000 to 170,000 complete followers. After the pandemic supressed attendance for a number of years, the Derby drew greater than 156,000 followers in 2024 and greater than 147,000 followers braved the rain in 2025.
Whereas there are definitely people who journey to Louisville for the get together – each the principle occasion and dozens of others in Louisville the week main as much as the Kentucky Derby – there’s way more to it than meals and booze. You’ll see hundreds of followers wandering round Churchill Downs wide-eyed soaking within the environment, loads of gamblers with their eyes glued to the program, and others simply there to have a good time and socialize on the large day. There actually is one thing for everybody.
However the get together is much from restricted to Churchill and the encompassing space. Tracks throughout the nation often host followers on Derby day, typically even after they don’t supply stay racing, and folks everywhere in the U.S. host household and mates to have fun at residence. It’s by no means been simpler to trace down food and drinks recipes, order hats and outfits on-line, and even wager a couple of bucks with out leaving the comforts of residence. For these interested by internet hosting a celebration, take a look at this terrific information an unforgettable Kentucky Derby soiree.
Did You Know? In 2015, Churchill Downs set an attendance file when 170,513 individuals attended the Kentucky Derby. The earlier file was 165,307 in 2012.
WANNA BET?!
It’s by no means been simpler to put a wager on the Kentucky Derby. You may go to your native monitor on the large day or you possibly can wager from residence utilizing what is named an advance-deposit-wagering platform. Utilizing an “ADW” requires signing up for an account and depositing cash prematurely that can be utilized to wager on-line. Typically, it may be a little bit of a course of to start out up, so don’t wait till the final minute if you’re hoping to put some bets on Kentucky Derby day. Two of our favourite on-line horse-racing betting websites are 1/ST Guess and NYRA Bets, and Twinspires is the official on-line betting platform of Churchill Downs. Most of them supply terrific bonuses for brand new members (test the hyperlinks for up to date promotions).
The crew at America’s Greatest Racing additionally put our heads collectively to supply some Dos and Don’ts for betting on-line. Make sure to bookmark our Cheat Sheet with detailed data on the entire contenders. We are going to put collectively a function on which runners would profit from rain on Kentucky Derby day, and we even have the main device within the sport for determining tips on how to make your bets and what they’ll value: ABR’s Playing Calculator.
In case you are studying this story specifically, nonetheless, you is perhaps searching for simply the fundamentals and we might help there, too. We have now an entire submit known as “Betting on Horse Racing, Defined” with a give attention to bettors similar to you with restricted expertise. Beneath is small part as a pattern:
The Fundamentals
Win wager – A wager on a horse to complete first.
Place wager – A wager on a horse to complete first or second.
Present wager – A wager on a horse to complete within the cash; third or higher.
Within the cash – A horse that finishes first, second, or third.
Throughout the board – A wager on a horse to win, place, and present. If the horse wins, the bettor collects 3 ways; if second, two methods (place, present); and if third, a method, dropping the win and place bets. It is really three bets.
Morning line – The percentages that the monitor handicapper predicts a horse might be to win the race when it begins.
Did you Know? The file for cash wagered Kentucky Derby day got here in 2025 when $349 million was wagered on the cardboard of races at Churchill Downs.
QUALIFYING FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY
For a few years, the sector for the Kentucky Derby was decided by purse earnings in a particular classification of stakes races, however that modified in 2013 when Churchill Downs unveiled a brand new factors system that has subsequently advanced through the years.
The “Street to the Kentucky Derby” usually begins in September of the earlier 12 months and extends by to the ultimate factors races in April, just some weeks earlier than the Kentucky Derby. The races are slotted into one among two classes: Kentucky Derby Prep Season (21 races for this 12 months’s Derby) and Kentucky Derby Championship Collection (15 races).
Kentucky Derby Prep Season qualifying races award factors to the top-five finishers on a scale of both 10-5-3-2-1 or 20-10-6-4-2, apart from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which has a 30-15-9-6-3 scale to replicate the significance of that race. The 20-10-6-4-2-scale Prep Season races start in mid-January 2026.
Kentucky Derby Championship Collection races start Feb. 14 with the Risen Star Stakes at Truthful Grounds, and award factors primarily based on one among two scales: 50-25-15-10-5 factors, respectively, to the highest 5 or 100-50-25-15-10 for crucial races within the last six weeks main as much as the Kentucky Derby. There may be one exception from this group, the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland three weeks earlier than the Kentucky Derby, which awards factors on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale.
The three-year-olds amass factors in qualifying races and the highest 17 earners amongst Triple Crown nominated horses earn a spot within the beginning gate on the primary Saturday in Might. As much as two invites might be prolonged to the highest point-earners within the Euro/Mideast Street to the Kentucky Derby and one invitation might be prolonged to the highest point-earners within the Japan Street to the Kentucky Derby. The Derby subject has been restricted to twenty starters since 1975. Not less than 20 horses have entered the 1 ¼-mile race for 3-year-olds in 24 of the final 27 years.
FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT THE KENTUCKY DERBY
- 5 horses have paid greater than $100 for a $2 win wager: Donerail in 1913 paid $184.90 for a $2 win wager; Wealthy Strike in 2022 paid $163.60 in a shocking upset; Nation Home in 2019 paid $132.40; Mine That Chook in 2009 paid $103.20; and Giacomo in 2005 paid $102.60.
- The quickest Kentucky Derby within the race’s lengthy historical past was run by one of many true legends of the game. In 1973, Corridor of Famer Secretariat accomplished the 1 ¼-mile distance in 1:59.40.
- Kentucky is the birthplace of 117 Kentucky Derby winners. Florida ranks subsequent with six. A complete of 15 completely different states plus England and Canada which have been the birthplace of a minimum of one Kentucky Derby winner.
- Twenty Kentucky Derby winners had names that start with the letter S, together with 2025 victor Sovereignty, essentially the most of any letter. The one two letters in not represented by a Derby winner are Q and X.
- The Kentucky Derby is now restricted to twenty runners, however in 1974 there have been 23 3-year-olds that began within the 100th working of the race, the biggest subject in Kentucky Derby historical past.
MORE ABOUT THE HORSES
Racehorses are available in many various sizes, starting from about 900 to 1,400 kilos, and colours, together with Bay, Black, Chestnut, Darkish Bay or Brown, or Grey or Roan. There additionally has been in recent times a rise in White Thoroughbreds.
Many racehorses stand out due to markings, like a white blaze or star on their heads or a number of white legs or toes.
When a Thoroughbred is born, it’s known as a foal, which is a reputation for a younger horse within the first 12 months of its life. Thoroughbreds are known as weanlings after they’ve been separated from their moms; and a yearling refers to a male or feminine Thoroughbred in its second calendar 12 months of life, which commences Jan. 1 of the 12 months following its beginning.
Jan. 1 is the official birthday for all Thoroughbreds.
All Thoroughbred racehorses have to be registered based on the rules of The Jockey Membership and races start for racehorses within the spring of their 2-year-olds seasons.
Did You Know? The commonest shade of Kentucky Derby winners through the years is Bay with 58 winners, together with final 12 months’s winner Sovereignty and 2024 winner Mystik Dan, adopted by Chestnut with 50 Derby winners, together with 2023 winner Mage.
LIFE AFTER THE RACETRACK
Among the greatest female and male racehorses go on to a breeding profession in retirement, however solely one of the best male racehorses turn into sires (fathers) and roughly 24,700 feminine Thoroughbreds have been bred in 2025. The excellent news is Thoroughbred racehorses are extremely versatile and sometimes go on to second careers at what is named OTTBs (off-track Thoroughbreds).
Thoroughbreds are sensible, aggressive animals and in the event that they’ve hung out stabled at a racetrack, which the overwhelming majority have, they’ve seen and heard just about every little thing.
Retired racehorses can go on to second careers in Dressage, Eventing, Present Leaping, Polo, and many others. Annually the Retired Racehorse Challenge hosts the Thoroughbred Makeover, the biggest Thoroughbred retraining competitors on this planet for recently-retired ex-racehorses.
OTTBs can turn into pleasure horses and typically they only stay a lifetime of leisure, starting from these at Previous Buddies in Georgetown, Ky. to others who merely get adopted by somebody who adopted their profession or loves horses.
Lately, research have additionally proven racehorses might be highly effective companions for remedy, together with Equine-Assisted Remedy for treating veterans with PTSD and the Sq. Peg Basis for college kids.
The Thoroughbred {industry} created the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, funded initially by Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Membership, and Keeneland Affiliation. The TAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to accredited aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds utilizing industry-wide funding.
Since 2012, the TAA has granted greater than $36 million to accredited aftercare organizations and 18,500 Thoroughbreds have been retrained, rehomed, or retired by accredited organizations.
