Kentucky Derby

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Kentucky Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race that is run over a distance of one and a quarter miles.

The Kentucky Derby unfolds at Churchill Downs, a legendary racing venue located in Louisville, KY in the United States.

The annual Derby is preceded by the Kentucky Oaks, which is held at the same track and attracts similar, if not identical, levels of attention. Both races are open to three-year-old thoroughbreds, colts are limited to the Derby whilst fillies can race in both.

The Derby is often referred to as, “the most exciting two minutes in racing.” Post-to-post, the Churchill Downs track currently stretches over a mile and a quarter. This makes this a fast and furious event from the moment the horses leave the gate.

The Kentucky Derby has been voted to be one of the best international horse racing events in 2024.

The fastest time recorded at the Derby was 1:59.4, achieved by Secretariat in 1973.

Kentucky Derby

When was the Kentucky Derby First Held?

The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875, won by Aristides.

The Derby has gone on to become a fixture of American sports.

The Derby has always taken place in Churchill Downs, a legendary track in the town of Louisville, KY.

Key Trials for the Kentucky Derby

Picking a horse for Kentucky Derby success is no easy feat. An entrant doesn’t make it to starting gate of without showing some impressive pedigree and strong form.

Racing enthusiasts in Blighty should follow the results of the Road to the Kentucky Derby – Condition Stakes, held at Kempton Park in March. Sunbury-on-Thames is a long way from Louisville, KY, but many of the horses involved will later appear at Churchill Downs.

Most other notable warm-ups unfold in the United States, with famous examples being the Tampa Bay, Florida and Louisiana Derbies.

The favourite does not always take the spoils at the Derby, though. Just ask Tiz the Law or Thousand Words, who were tipped for success in 2020’s event. In the end, neither claimed the win. Tiz the Law was outraced by the eventual winner Authentic, while Thousand Words was removed from the running for unwanted behaviour in the paddock.

Kentucky Derby 2024 Odds

Below are the odds for the Kentucky Derby on the 7th of May 2024:

  • Essential Quality – 2-1
  • Rock Your World – 5-1
  • Known Agenda – 6-1
  • Hot Rod Charlie – 8-1
  • Highly Motivated – 10-1
  • Mandaloun – 15-1

Kentucky Derby Tips

Our tips for the Kentucky Derby are listed below:

  • 2 points to win for ROCK YOUR WORLD with a price of 5-1
  • 1 point each way for HIGHLY MOTIVATED with odds of 10-1

Many of the horses that are participating in the Grade I stakes race in May 2024 will also be competing throughout the year. Observe how the horses race and place your wagers on ante-post betting.

Previous Winners of The Kentucky Derby

As this race is only open to three-year-old horses, and it takes place just once a year, a different name is etched into the winner’s plaque every year.

Victory at Churchill Downs is often the highlight of any horse’s career – unless they go on to become a Triple Crown champion.

Over the last ten years, the following runners and riders have crossed the winner’s post first in this legendary race.

  • 2010 – Super Saver (ridden by Calvin Borel)
  • 2011 – Animal Kingdom (ridden by John Velazquez)
  • 2012 – I’ll Have Another (ridden by Mario Gutierrez)
  • 2013 – Orb (ridden by Joel Rosario)
  • 2014 – California Chrome (ridden by Victor Espinoza)
  • 2015 – American Pharoah (ridden by Victor Espinoza)
  • 2016 – Nyquist (ridden by Mario Gutierrez)
  • 2017 – Always Dreaming (ridden by John Velazquez)
  • 2018 – Justify (ridden by Mike E. Smith)
  • 2019 – Country House (ridden by Flavien Prat)
  • 2020 – Authentic (ridden by John Velazquez)

Of these winners, American Pharoah and Justify are among the most celebrated. These horses followed victory at Churchill Downs with wins in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, two events of equal prestige to the Kentucky Derby.

This makes American Pharoah and Justify winners of the American Triple Crown – two of just thirteen horses to hold such distinction.

The Kentucky Derby’s Most Successful Jockey

Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack are both legends of the Derby, sharing five wins each. This makes them joint record-holders. Arcaro tasted victory in 1938, 1941, 1945, 1948 and 1952, before handing the torch to Hartack. The latter rider picked up his wins in 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964 and 1969.

In more recent years, 2020’s winner John Velazquez is looking like a threat to this record. Authentic was the third horse the Puerto Rican jockey had steered to victory, while he has also tasted success in the Kentucky Oaks. News of John Velazquez’s presence at the starting gate of 2021’s Derby will surely send shivers down the spines of other jockeys.

Most Successful Trainer Kentucky Derby Trainer

Bob Baffert is the modern-day king of the Derby. This trainer has six wins to his name, including thee in the last six years. In total, he has trained horses to victory in 1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018 and 2020.

He’s not the only trainer with six wins, though. Ben A. Jones also reached this tally, albeit some time ago. These victories came in 1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949 and 1952.

Where is the Kentucky Derby Held?

As discussed, this race takes place in Churchill Downs, a flat track located in Louisville, KY.

This track also hosts other notable events, including the Kentucky Oaks (another flat race for horses aged three, usually held the day before the Derby) and, periodically, the Breeders’ Cup. It is part of the Kentucky Derby Festival.

When is the Kentucky Derby Held?

Like any world-famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby tends to stick to a strict schedule. This means that aspiring attendees should aim to be in Louisville on the first Saturday in May. This is when Churchill Downs hosts this highlight of the American racing calendar, in addition to the Kentucky Oaks.

If you’ve been paying any attention to the news, you’ll expect COVID-19 to have thrown a spanner in the works during 2020 – and you’d be right. The event had to be postponed. The 2020 Kentucky Derby still went ahead, though, and it still unfolded at Churchill Downs. Only the date changed, with Authentic crossing the post first on September 5th.

Authentic achieved a time of 2:00.61, overcoming pre-event favourite Tiz the Law in the process. This made international news, coming as a shock to many, as Tiz the Law was tipped to become the fourteenth American Triple Crown winner. The horse had previously claimed victory at the Belmont Stakes, was unable to repeat the feat at Churchill Downs.

What is the Prize Money for the Kentucky Derby?

As it’s the most popular event in American racing, the Kentucky Derby also offers one of the richest purses. News reports claim that, for the last two years, the winner of the race has taken home prize money of $1.86 million (£1.45 million).

That’s over 60% of the total purse of the race, some of which comes from the gate receipts, but most stemming from worldwide wagers. With three wins of the last ten years, we sincerely hope that John Velazquez puts his hand in his pocket for a round of drinks at the bar in Churchill Downs.

Attending the Kentucky Derby

If you’re planning a horse race-related holiday for 2020, Kentucky may as well be crossed off your list of destinations. If you’re thinking about making the pilgrimage to Churchill Downs in 2021 however, the race is currently expected to return to its usual slot in May. Keep an eye out for any news relating to changes, though. We’re not living in a post-COVID world just yet.

If you’re keen to get yourself to the Derby, Louisville has its own airport just under two miles from the track. The next closest is Lexington, also in KY but some 50+ miles from Churchill Downs.

Book your flights, and your tickets for the race, in plenty of time. The Derby is not an event to arrive at the gate on the day and hope for the best. It attracts huge attention from all over the world, and the track can only hold so many spectators.

Betting on The Kentucky Derby

If you are looking to bet online we recommend the following great deals shown on this page. 

Summary of the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is more than just a horse race. It’s an American sporting institution and something that we recommend any racing enthusiast takes the time to attend at least once.

You can check out our fast and easy horse racing results page today as this is favourable for Kentucky Derby lovers.

Churchill Downs is a hugely impressive venue, and the Derby is a one-of-a-kind experience. Throw in the fact that you’ll also get to see the Kentucky Oaks at the same venue over the same weekend and you have the makings of a memorable weekend of racing.

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