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Apr 26, 2024 · OLBG compiled and discovered the history behind some of the Kentucky Derby's most popular annual traditions using a variety of online sources.
- Tim Bruns
The Kentucky Derby (/ ˈ d ɜːr b i /) is an American Grade I stakes race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 metres).
- Originally The Race Was 1 ½ Miles
- There Have only Been Four Winners Bred Outside The United States
- Kentucky Is Home to The Most Winners
- Secretariat Holds The Record For The Fastest Kentucky Derby
- Kingman Holds The Record For The Slowest Kentucky Derby
- Only One Person Has Won as A Jockey and Later as A Trainer
- Only Three Fillies Have Won
- The Youngest Jockey to Ever Win Was Just 15
- The Oldest Jockey to Ever Win Was 54
- A Large Amount of Mint Juleps and Food Are Consumed Each Year
Originally, the Kentucky Derby was 1 ½ miles long, which is the same distance as the Epsom Derby, which helped inspire the race. The race was 1 ½ miles until 1896, when officials changed the distance to 1 ¼ miles. Ever since then, the race has always been 1 ¼ miles.
Out of the 146 Kentucky Derby winners, only four horses were born outside the United States. Those four horses are Tomy Lee, Omar Khayyam, Sunny’s Halo, and Northern Dancer. Omar Khayyam became the first foreign-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby in 1917. The British-born colt was sold as a yearling to an American racing partnership. Born in Engl...
Not only is the Bluegrass State home to the Kentucky Derby, but it is also home to the most Kentucky Derby winners. A whopping 107 Kentucky Derby winners were born in Kentucky. The state with the second most winners is Florida, with seven winners born in the Sunshine State.
The legendary Secretariat holds the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby timeat 1:59.40. He set the record in 1973 after beating Northern Dancer’s time of 2:00:00. Secretariat went on to not only win the Triple Crown, but also set record times in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes as well. His incredible 1973 Triple Crown win was one for the ...
Kingman holds the record for the slowest Kentucky Derby win at 2:52.25 in 1891, when the race was still 1 ½ miles. In 1908, Stone Street became the slowest winner at 1 ¼ miles, with a time of 2:15.20, about 16 seconds slower than Secretariat’s record win.
Johnny Longden is the only person to win the Kentucky Derby as a jockey and then later as a trainer. In 1943, Longden took the title home aboard Count Fleet, with who he went on to win the Triple Crown. After retiring as a jockey in 1959, Longden became a trainer. In 1969, he trained the Kentucky Derby winner Majestic Prince. Majestic Prince went o...
In the history of the Kentucky Derby’s 146 winners, only three horses have been fillies. Those three fillies are Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors. Regret took home the Kentucky Derby in 1915, the first filly to do so. She is the first of four horses ever to win all three Saratoga Race Course events for two-year-olds. In addition, she also b...
At just 15 years old, Alonzo Clayton is the youngest jockey ever to win the Kentucky Derby. Clayton won the 1892 Kentucky Derby aboard Azra. At the age of 12, Clayton left home to follow in his brother’s footsteps and began a career as an exercise rider. His talent quickly shined through, and at the age of 14, he became a professional jockey. In ad...
As one of the most successful jockeys ever, Bill Shoemaker won the Kentucky Derby four times. Shoemaker is also the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby at age 54 in 1986 aboard Ferdinand. Shoemaker’s career as a jockey began when he was just a teenager. He quickly skyrocketed to success and, for 29 years held the record for the most wins by a j...
Every year, thousands of people gather to watch the Kentucky Derby, with a record crowd of 170,513 in 2015. Year after year, spectators consume large amounts of food and drinks as they gather to watch the best of Thoroughbred racing. Every year, guests consume approximately 120,000 Mint Juleps at Churchill Downs during “The Run for the Roses.” This...
- 1 1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km)
- US$3 million. 1st: $1,860,000
- May 17, 1875 (146 years ago)
- 1:59.40, Secretariat (1973)
Mar 27, 2018 · The first horse to win racing’s prestigious Triple Crown—by winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes—was Sir Barton in 1919, although it wasn’t until the ...
Mar 6, 2024 · Uncover the origins of this prestigious event, tracing its roots back to 1875 and the vision of Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. Discover key milestones that have shaped the Derby’s legacy, from legendary horses like Secretariat to iconic jockeys such as Bill Shoemaker.
Mar 6, 2024 · “My Old Kentucky Home”: Reflect on the Emotional Resonance of the Classic Derby Anthem, a Poignant Reminder of Kentucky’s Heritage and the Race’s Deep-rooted Traditions. Derby Day Delights: Tradition Highlights & Stats
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Jan 31, 2024 · Yet despite the all-American hyperbole of the ‘greatest two minutes in sport’, the mint juleps and the old Kentucky home, Uncle Sam’s most famous race began life as British as warm beer and indifferent dental hygiene, with its ‘Derby’ (‘Darrby’) name – if not its pronunciation – and initial distance of a mile and a half ...
