Kentucky Derby - wikipedia Kentucky Derby For the season point system, see Road to the Kentucky Derby. For the 2018 race, see 2018 Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Derby Grade I race The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports ; The Run for the Roses Location Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Inaugurated 1875 Race type Thoroughbred Website www.kentuckyderby.com Race information Distance 1 ⁄ miles ( 10 furlongs ; 2,012 m ) Record 1 : ​ 59 ⁄, Secretariat ( 1973 ) Surface Dirt Track Left - handed Qualification 3 - year - old Weight Colt / Gelding : 126 lbs ( 57.2 kg ) Filly : 121 lb ( 55 kg ) Purse US $2 million 1st : $1,425,000 Bonuses US $ 200 The Kentucky Derby / ˈdɜːrbi /, is a horse race that is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two - week - long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is a Grade I stakes race for three - year - old Thoroughbreds at a distance of one and a quarter miles ( 2 km ) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ( 57 kilograms ) and fillies 121 pounds ( 55 kilograms ). The race is often called `` The Run for the Roses '' for 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 '' in reference to its approximate duration. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown and is followed by the Preakness Stakes, then the Belmont Stakes. Unlike the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, which took hiatuses in 1891 -- 1893 and 1911 -- 1912, respectively, the Kentucky Derby has been run every consecutive year since 1875, even during both World Wars. 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. The attendance at the Kentucky Derby ranks first in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders ' Cup. Contents 1 History 1.1 Attendance 1.2 Sponsorship 2 Traditions 2.1 Riders Up ! 2.2 Festival 3 Records 4 Winners 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 Further reading 8 External links History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( May 2018 ) In 1872, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, traveled to England, visiting Epsom in Surrey where The Derby had been running annually since 1780. From there, Clark went on to Paris, France, where in 1863, a group of racing enthusiasts had formed the French Jockey Club and had organized the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, which at the time was the greatest race in France. A thoroughbred horse is depicted on the reverse of the Kentucky state quarter Returning home to Kentucky, Clark organized the Louisville Jockey Club for the purpose of raising money to build quality racing facilities just outside the city. The track would soon become known as Churchill Downs, named for John and Henry Churchill, who provided the land for the racetrack. Officially, the racetrack was incorporated as Churchill Downs in 1937. The Kentucky Derby was first run at 1 1 / 2 miles ( 12 furlongs ; 2.4 km ) the same distance as the Epsom Derby. The distance was changed 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. Under jockey Oliver Lewis, a colt named Aristides, who was trained by future Hall of Famer Ansel Williamson, won the inaugural Derby. Later that year, Lewis rode Aristides to a second - place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Although the first race meeting proved a success, the track ran into financial difficulties and in 1894 the New Louisville Jockey Club was incorporated with new capitalization and improved facilities. Despite this, the business floundered until 1902 when Col. Matt Winn of Louisville put together a syndicate of businessmen to acquire the facility. 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 later in the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, followed by the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. The three races offered large purses and in 1919 Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three races. However, the term Triple Crown did n't come into use for another eleven years. In 1930, when Gallant Fox became the second horse to win all three races, sportswriter Charles Hatton brought the phrase into American usage. Fueled by the media, public interest in the possibility of a `` superhorse '' that could win the Triple Crown began in the weeks leading up to the Derby. Two years after the term was coined, the race, which had been run in mid-May since inception, was changed to the first Saturday in May to allow for a specific schedule for the Triple Crown races. Since 1931, the order of Triple Crown races has been the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes. Prior to 1931, eleven times the Preakness was run before the Derby. On May 12, 1917 and again on May 13, 1922, the Preakness and the Derby were run on the same day. On eleven occasions the Belmont Stakes was run before the Preakness Stakes. Churchill Downs in 1901 On May 16, 1925, the first live radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was originated by WHAS and was also carried by 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 $ 100,000 for the first time. In 1968, Dancer 's Image became the first ( and to this day the only ) horse to win the race and then be disqualified after traces of phenylbutazone, an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, were found in the horse 's urinalysis ; 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. The fastest time ever run in the Derby was set in 1973 at 1 : 59.4 minutes when Secretariat broke the record set by Northern Dancer in 1964. Not only has Secretariat 's record time yet to be topped, in the race itself, he did something unique in Triple Crown races : each successive quarter, his times were faster. Though times for non-winners were not recorded, in 1973 Sham finished second, two and a half lengths behind Secretariat in the same race. Using the thoroughbred racing convention of one length equaling one - fifth of a second to calculate Sham 's time, he also finished in under two minutes. Another sub-two - minute finish, only the third, was set in 2001 by Monarchos at 1 : 59.97. In 2005, the purse distribution for the Derby was changed, so that horses finishing fifth would henceforth receive a share of the purse ; previously only the first four finishers did so. Attendance Since the Kentucky Derby is the biggest race in the world, millions of people from around the world bet at various live tracks and online sportsbooks. In 2017, a crowd of 158,070 watched Always Dreaming win the Derby, making it the seventh biggest attendance in the history of the racetrack. The track reported a wagering total of $209.2 million from all the sources on all the races on the Kentucky Derby Day program. It was a 9 percent increase compared to the total of $192.6 million in 2016 and an increase of 8 percent over the previous record set in 2015 of $194.3 million. TwinSpires, a platform for betting online and a partner of the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders ' Cup, recorded $32.8 million in handle on the Churchill Down races for the Kentucky Derby Day program. This was a 22 percent increase over the preceding year. On the Kentucky Derby race alone, the handle of TwinSpires was $20.1 million, which is a 22 percent rise compared to the prior year. The race often draws celebrities. HM Queen Elizabeth II, on a visit to the United States, joined the racegoers at Churchill Downs in 2007. Sponsorship The 2004 Derby marked the first time that jockeys -- as a result of a court order -- were allowed to wear corporate advertising logos on their clothing. Norman Adams has been the designer of the Kentucky Derby Logo since 2002. On February 1, 2006, the Louisville - based fast - food company Yum ! Brands, Inc. announced a corporate sponsorship deal to call the race `` The Kentucky Derby presented by Yum ! Brands. '' In 2018, Woodford Reserve replaced Yum Brands as the presenting sponsor. Traditions In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions play a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The mint julep -- an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint, and a sugar syrup -- is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic drink can be served in an ice - frosted silver julep cup, but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from souvenir glasses ( first offered in 1939 and available in revised form each year since ) printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby. Louisville Clock ( often called the Louisville Derby Clock ) The infield -- a spectator area inside the track -- offers general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race, particularly prior to the jumbotron installation in 2014. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party with abandon. By contrast, `` Millionaire 's Row '' refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich, the famous and the well - connected. Women appear in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats. Following the Call to the Post, as the horses are paraded before the grandstands, the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band plays Stephen Foster 's `` My Old Kentucky Home, '' a tradition which began in 1921. The event attracts spectators from a large area, flying in hundreds of private aircraft to Louisville International Airport. The Derby is frequently referred to as `` The Run for the Roses, '' because a lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition originated in 1883 when New York socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to ladies at a post-Derby party that was attended by Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race 's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the Kentucky Derby Trophy. Pop vocalist Dan Fogelberg composed the song `` Run for the Roses '' which was released in time for the 1980 running of the race. Riders up ! `` Riders Up ! '' is the traditional command from the Paddock Judge for jockeys to mount their horses in advance of the upcoming race. Since 2012, it was recited by a dignitary or celebrity attendee. Festival Main article : Kentucky Derby Festival In the weeks preceding the race, numerous activities are held for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Thunder Over Louisville -- an airshow and fireworks display -- generally begins the festivities in earnest two weeks prior to the Derby. Records Most wins by a jockey 5 -- Eddie Arcaro ( 1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952 ) 5 -- Bill Hartack ( 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969 ) Most wins by a trainer 6 -- Ben A. Jones ( 1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952 ) Most wins by an owner 8 -- Calumet Farm ( 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968 ) Stakes record Mile and a Quarter : 1 : 59 ​ ⁄ -- Secretariat ( 1973 ) Mile and a Half : 2 : 34 ​ ⁄ - Spokane ( 1889 ) Record victory margin 8 lengths -- Old Rosebud ( 1914 ) 8 lengths -- Johnstown ( 1939 ) 8 lengths -- Whirlaway ( 1941 ) 8 lengths -- Assault ( 1946 ) Longest shot to win the Derby 91 to 1 -- Donerail ( 1913 ) Miscellaneous In 2018, Justify broke 136 - year old record, to win the race without racing at the age of 2. The last time it was done was in 1882. In 2010, Calvin Borel set a new record, being the first jockey to win 3 out of 4 consecutive Kentucky Derbys. Winners See also : Highest combined Triple Crown finish Kentucky Derby winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance ( miles ) Track Condition Time 2018 Justify Mike Smith Bob Baffert China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and 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 and West Point 1 1⁄4 Wet Fast ( sealed ) 2 : 03.59 2016 Nyquist Mario Gutierrez Doug O'Neill J. Paul Reddam 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.31 2015 American Pharoah Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Zayat Stables, LLC 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 J. Paul Reddam 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.83 2011 Animal Kingdom John Velazquez H. Graham Motion Team Valor International 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.04 Super Saver Calvin Borel Todd Pletcher WinStar Farm 1 1⁄4 Sloppy 2 : 04.45 2009 Mine That Bird Calvin Borel Bennie L. Woolley, Jr. Double Eagle Ranch et al. 1 1⁄4 Sloppy 2 : 02.66 2008 Big Brown Kent Desormeaux Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. IEAH Stables / P. Pompa 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.82 2007 Street Sense Calvin Borel Carl Nafzger James B. Tafel 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.17 2006 Barbaro Edgar Prado Michael R. Matz Lael Stables 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.36 2005 Giacomo Mike E. Smith John Shirreffs Jerry & Ann Moss 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.75 Smarty Jones Stewart Elliott John Servis Someday Farm 1 1⁄4 Sloppy 2 : 04.06 2003 Funny Cide José A. Santos Barclay Tagg Sackatoga Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.19 2002 War Emblem Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Thoroughbred Corp. 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.13 2001 Monarchos Jorge F. Chavez John T. Ward, Jr. John C. Oxley 1 1⁄4 Fast 1 : 59.97 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus Kent Desormeaux Neil Drysdale Fusao Sekiguchi 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.00 1999 Charismatic Chris Antley D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Beverly Lewis 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.20 1998 Real Quiet Kent Desormeaux Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 1997 Silver Charm Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Bob & Beverly Lewis 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.40 Grindstone Jerry Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.00 1995 Thunder Gulch Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Michael Tabor 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.20 1994 Go for Gin Chris McCarron Nick Zito William J. Condren & Joseph M. Cornacchia 1 1⁄4 Sloppy 2 : 03.60 1993 Sea Hero Jerry Bailey MacKenzie Miller Rokeby Stables 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.40 1992 Lil E. Tee Pat Day Lynn S. Whiting W. Cal Partee 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.00 1991 Strike the Gold Chris Antley Nick Zito BCC Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.00 1990 Unbridled Craig Perret Carl Nafzger Frances A. Genter 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 02.00 1989 Sunday Silence Pat Valenzuela Charlie Whittingham H-G-W Partners 1 1⁄4 Muddy 2 : 05.00 1988 Winning Colors Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 Alysheba Chris McCarron Jack Van Berg D. & P. Scharbauer 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.40 1986 Ferdinand Bill Shoemaker Charlie Whittingham Elizabeth A. Keck 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.80 1985 Spend A Buck Angel Cordero, Jr. Cam Gambolati Dennis Diaz 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 00.20 1984 Swale Laffit Pincay, Jr. Woody Stephens Claiborne Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.40 Sunny 's Halo Eddie Delahoussaye David C. Cross, Jr. D.J. Foster Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 1982 Gato Del Sol Eddie Delahoussaye Edwin J. Gregson Hancock & Peters 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.40 1981 Pleasant Colony Jorge Velasquez John P. Campo Buckland Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.00 1980 Genuine Risk Jacinto Vasquez LeRoy Jolley Diana M. Firestone 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.00 1979 Spectacular Bid Ronnie Franklin Bud Delp Hawksworth Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.40 1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.20 1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet William H. Turner, Jr. Karen L. Taylor 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 1976 Bold Forbes Angel Cordero, Jr. Laz Barrera E. Rodriguez Tizol 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.60 Foolish Pleasure Jacinto Vasquez LeRoy Jolley John L. Greer 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.00 Cannonade Angel Cordero, Jr. Woody Stephens John M. Olin 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.00 1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 1 : 59.40 1972 Riva Ridge Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stud 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.80 1971 Canonero II Gustavo Avila Juan Arias Edgar Caibett 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.20 1970 Dust Commander Mike Manganello Don Combs Robert E. Lehmann 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 03.40 1969 Majestic Prince Bill Hartack Johnny Longden Frank M. McMahon 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.80 1968 Forward Pass Ismael Valenzuela Henry Forrest Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 1967 Proud Clarion Bobby Ussery Loyd Gentry, Jr. Darby Dan Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 00.60 1966 Kauai King Don Brumfield Henry Forrest Ford Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.00 1965 Lucky Debonair Bill Shoemaker Frank Catrone Ada L. Rice 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.20 1964 Northern Dancer Bill Hartack Horatio Luro Windfields Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 00.00 1963 Chateaugay Braulio Baeza James P. Conway Darby Dan Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.80 1962 Decidedly Bill Hartack Horatio Luro El Peco Ranch 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 00.40 1961 Carry Back Johnny Sellers Jack A. Price Katherine Price 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 04.00 1960 Venetian Way Bill Hartack Victor J. Sovinski Sunny Blue Farm 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 02.40 1959 Tomy Lee Bill Shoemaker Frank E. Childs Fred & Juliette Turner 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 1958 Tim Tam Ismael Valenzuela Jimmy Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Muddy 2 : 05.00 1957 Iron Liege Bill Hartack Jimmy Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.20 1956 Needles David Erb Hugh L. Fontaine D & H Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.40 1955 Swaps Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.80 1954 Determine Raymond York William Molter Andrew J. Crevolin 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.00 1953 Dark Star Henry E. Moreno Eddie Hayward Cain Hoy Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.00 1952 Hill Gail Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.60 1951 Count Turf Conn McCreary Sol Rutchick Jack J. Amiel 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 02.60 1950 Middleground William Boland Max Hirsch King Ranch 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.60 1949 Ponder Steve Brooks Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.20 1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Sloppy 2 : 05.40 1947 Jet Pilot Eric Guerin Tom Smith Maine Chance Farm 1 1⁄4 Slow 2 : 06.80 1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch King Ranch 1 1⁄4 Slow 2 : 06.60 1945 Hoop Jr. Eddie Arcaro Ivan H. Parke Fred W. Hooper 1 1⁄4 Muddy 2 : 07.00 1944 Pensive Conn McCreary Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 04.20 1943 Count Fleet Johnny Longden Don Cameron Fannie Hertz 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.00 1942 Shut Out Wayne D. Wright John M. Gaver, Sr. Greentree Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.40 1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.40 1940 Gallahadion Carroll Bierman Roy Waldron Milky Way Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 05.00 1939 Johnstown James Stout Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.40 1938 Lawrin Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Herbert M. Woolf 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.80 1937 War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger George Conway Glen Riddle Farm 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.20 1936 Bold Venture Ira Hanford Max Hirsch Morton L. Schwartz 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.60 1935 Omaha Willie Saunders Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 05.00 1934 Cavalcade Mack Garner Bob Smith Brookmeade Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.00 1933 Brokers Tip Don Meade Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 06.80 1932 Burgoo King Eugene James Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 05.20 1931 Twenty Grand Charley Kurtsinger James G. Rowe, Jr. Greentree Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 01.80 1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 07.60 1929 Clyde Van Dusen Linus McAtee Clyde Van Dusen Herbert P. Gardner 1 1⁄4 Muddy 2 : 10.80 1928 Reigh Count Chick Lang Bert S. Michell Fannie Hertz 1 1⁄4 Heavy 2 : 10.40 1927 Whiskery Linus McAtee Fred Hopkins Harry P. Whitney 1 1⁄4 Slow 2 : 06.00 1926 Bubbling Over Albert Johnson Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.80 1925 Flying Ebony Earl Sande William B. Duke Gifford A. Cochran 1 1⁄4 Sloppy 2 : 07.60 1924 Black Gold J.D. Mooney Hanley Webb Rosa M. Hoots 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 05.20 1923 Zev Earl Sande David J. Leary Rancocas Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 05.40 1922 Morvich Albert Johnson Fred Burlew Benjamin Block 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.60 1921 Behave Yourself Charles Thompson Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.20 1920 Paul Jones Ted Rice William M. Garth Ral Parr 1 1⁄4 Slow 2 : 09.00 1919 Sir Barton Johnny Loftus H. Guy Bedwell J.K.L. Ross 1 1⁄4 Heavy 2 : 09.80 1918 Exterminator Willie Knapp Henry McDaniel Willis Sharpe Kilmer 1 1⁄4 Muddy 2 : 10.80 1917 Omar Khayyam Charles Borel Charles T. Patterson Billings & Johnson 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.60 1916 George Smith Johnny Loftus Hollie Hughes John Sanford 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.00 1915 Regret Joe Notter James G. Rowe, Sr. Harry P. Whitney 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 05.40 1914 Old Rosebud John McCabe Frank D. Weir Hamilton C. Applegate 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 03.40 1913 Donerail Roscoe Goose Thomas P. Hayes Thomas P. Hayes 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 04.80 1912 Worth Carroll H. Shilling Frank M. Taylor Henry C. Hallenbeck 1 1⁄4 Muddy 2 : 09.40 1911 Meridian George Archibald Albert Ewing Richard F. Carman 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 05.00 1910 Donau Frederick Herbert George Ham William Gerst 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 06.40 1909 Wintergreen Vincent Powers Charles Mack Jerome B. Respess 1 1⁄4 Slow 2 : 08.20 1908 Stone Street Arthur Pickens J.W. Hall C.E. & J.W. Hamilton 1 1⁄4 Heavy 2 : 15.20 1907 Pink Star Andy Minder William H. Fizer J. Hal Woodford 1 1⁄4 Heavy 2 : 12.60 1906 Sir Huon Roscoe Troxler Pete Coyne Bashford Manor Stable 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 08.80 1905 Agile Jack Martin Robert Tucker Samuel S. Brown 1 1⁄4 Heavy 2 : 10.75 1904 Elwood Shorty Prior Charles E. Durnell Mrs. C.E. Durnell 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 08.50 1903 Judge Himes Hal Booker John P. Mayberry Charles R. Ellison 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 09.00 1902 Alan - a-Dale Jimmy Winkfield Thomas C. McDowell Thomas C. 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 J. Walden A.H. & D.H. Morris 1 1⁄4 Fast 2 : 12.00 1898 Plaudit Willie Simms John E. Madden John E. Madden 1 1⁄4 Good 2 : 09.00 1897 Typhoon II Buttons Garner J.C. Cahn J.C. Cahn 1 1⁄4 Heavy 2 : 12.50 1896 Ben Brush Willie Simms Hardy Campbell, Jr. Mike F. Dwyer 1 1⁄4 Dusty 2 : 07.75 1895 Halma Soup Perkins Byron McClelland Byron McClelland 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 37.50 1894 Chant Frank Goodale H. Eugene Leigh Leigh & Rose 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 41.00 1893 Lookout Eddie Kunze William McDaniel Cushing & Orth 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 39.25 1892 Azra Alonzo Clayton John H. Morris Bashford Manor Stable 1 1⁄2 Heavy 2 : 41.50 1891 Kingman Isaac Murphy Dud Allen Jacobin Stable 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 52.25 1890 Riley Isaac Murphy Edward Corrigan Edward Corrigan 1 1⁄2 Muddy 2 : 45.00 1889 Spokane Thomas Kiley John Rodegap Noah Armstrong 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 34.50 1888 Macbeth II George Covington John Campbell Chicago Stable 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 38.00 1887 Montrose Isaac Lewis John McGinty Labold Brothers 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 39.25 1886 Ben Ali Paul Duffy Jim Murphy J.B.A. Haggin 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 36.50 1885 Joe Cotton Erskine Henderson Abe Perry James T. Williams 1 1⁄2 Good 2 : 37.25 1884 Buchanan Isaac Murphy William Bird William Cottrill 1 1⁄2 Good 2 : 40.25 1883 Leonatus Billy Donohue Raleigh Colston Chinn & Morgan 1 1⁄2 Heavy 2 : 43.00 1882 Apollo Babe Hurd Green B. Morris Morris & Patton 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 40.00 1881 Hindoo Jim McLaughlin James G. Rowe, Sr. Dwyer Bros. Stable 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 40.00 1880 Fonso George Lewis John Henry `` Dutch '' Rolfes J. Snell Shawhan 1 1⁄2 Dusty 2 : 37.50 1879 Lord Murphy Charlie Shauer George Rice Darden & Co 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 37.00 1878 Day Star Jimmy Carter Lee Paul T.J. Nichols 1 1⁄2 Dusty 2 : 37.25 1877 Baden - Baden Billy Walker Edward D. Brown Daniel Swigert 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 38.00 1876 Vagrant Bobby Swim James Williams William Astor, Jr. 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 38.25 1875 Aristides Oliver Lewis Ansel Williamson Hal P. McGrath 1 1⁄2 Fast 2 : 37.75 Notes designates a Triple Crown Winner. designates a filly. Jump up ^ The race was timed to ​ ⁄ second from 1875 to 1905, to ​ ⁄ second from 1906 to 2000, and to 0.01 second since 2001. Jump up ^ Dancer 's Image, ridden by Bobby Ussery, trained by Lou Cavalaris, Jr., and owned by Peter Fuller, finished first, but was disqualified after a post-race urine sample revealed traces of a banned drug in the horse. The drug in question -- phenylbutazone -- is now legal for use on racehorses in many states, including Kentucky. Jump up ^ Apollo ( 1882 ) was the only horse to have won the Derby without having raced at age two, until Justify in 2018. See also Horse racing portal Kentucky portal Kentucky Oaks Kentucky Derby Festival American thoroughbred racing top attended events Kentucky Derby top four finishers List of graded stakes at Churchill Downs `` The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved '', a seminal example of New Journalism by Hunter S. Thompson. Triple Crown Productions List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area Derby Pie List of Kentucky Derby broadcasters Footnotes Jump up ^ `` Tenth Race Churchill May 1, 2004 ''. May 1, 2004. Daily Racing Forum. Accessed on May 9, 2006. Jump up ^ Novak, Claire ( September 23, 2013 ). `` Will Take Charge Wins Pennsylvania Derby ''. Blood Horse. Retrieved February 22, 2014. Jump up ^ `` The World 's Top 100 G1 Races for 3yo 's and upwards '' ( PDF ). www.ifhaonline.org. International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Retrieved March 3, 2015. Jump up ^ ^ 2009 The Original Racing Almanac, page 140 for Kentucky Derby, page 156 for the Preakness Stakes, page 241 for Kentucky Oaks, page 167 for Belmont Stakes, page 184 Breeders ' Cup, June 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Racing for the Roses - History of Kentucky Derby ''. February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014. Jump up ^ Ward, Arch ( April 30, 1936 ). `` Talking It Over ''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 5, 2012. ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ `` History Of Churchill Downs ''. Churchill Downs. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Derby To Go On The Air '', The New York Times, May 16, 1925, p. 11 Jump up ^ `` Kentucky Derby History ''. Kentucky Derby Info. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011. Jump up ^ CNN, By Sheena McKenzie,. `` Jockey who refused to stay in the kitchen - CNN ''. CNN. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 02. Jump up ^ Dandrea, Phil ( 2010 ). Sham : Great Was Second Best. Acanthus Publishing. Jump up ^ `` ESPN.com - Horse Racing - Kentucky Derby purse doubled to $2 million ''. www.espn.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Record betting reported on 2017 Kentucky Derby ''. The Courier - Journal. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` How Much Money is Wagered on the Kentucky Derby Each Year ? ''. www.betfirm.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ Finley, Marty ( May 9, 2016 ). `` The 2016 Kentucky Derby : By the numbers ''. bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ Hopkins, Andrea. `` Kentucky Derby, Queen Elizabeth draw festive crowd ''. U.S. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Derby jockeys can wear ads ''. UPI. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ Green, Marcus. `` SUNDAY EDITION Jockey advertising at Kentucky tracks remains rare a decade after ruling ''. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ Isidore, Chris ( May 5, 2006 ). `` Kentucky Derby including Yum Brands in its name ''. Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on May 17, 2006. Retrieved May 10, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Woodford Reserve is New Kentucky Derby Sponsor ''. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018. Jump up ^ Sneed, Tierney. `` The Origin of Your Favorite Kentucky Derby Traditions ''. usnews.com. Retrieved 3 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` Giant screen at Churchill Downs gives everyone at Kentucky Derby a front - row view ''. kentucky. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Panasonic Announces Installation of World 's Largest 4K Video Board at Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Racetrack Home of the Kentucky Derby ''. www.churchilldowns.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ `` My Old Kentucky Home ''. Jump up ^ Epstein, Curt ( 5 May 2015 ). `` Derby, Boxing Match Fuel Atlantic 's Best Day Ever ''. Aviation International News. Retrieved 6 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Dan Fogelberg Prodigy Chat transcript Treehouse.org ''. Retrieved October 16, 2014. Jump up ^ Mellisa Hoppert ( May 6, 2018 ). `` Justify Wins Kentucky Derby, Conquering Rain, Mud and a 136 - Year Curse ''. The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Super Saver wins the 2010 Kentucky Derby - Kentucky Derby ''. archive.org. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Kentucky Derby Winners ''. www.kentuckyderby.com. Retrieved 3 July 2016. Jump up ^ Hoppert, Melissa. `` Justify Wins Kentucky Derby, Conquering Rain, Mud and a 136 - Year Curse ''. New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2018. Further reading David Domine, Insiders ' Guide to Louisville. Guilford, CT : Globe - Pequot Press, 2010. James C. Nicholson, The Kentucky Derby : How the Run for the Roses Became America 's Premier Sporting Event. Lexington, KY : University Press of Kentucky, 2012. External links Look up run for the roses in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Derby ( official site ) Kentucky Derby Museum The Courier - Journal 's Derby Site ESPN.COM Attending the Kentucky Derby ( includes future dates ) Kentucky Derby Races 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Related Churchill Downs Top 4 finishers Festival Museum Road to the Kentucky Derby `` My Old Kentucky Home '' Triple Crown Trophy Mint julep Derby Pie Kentucky Oaks Broadcasters `` The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved '' Kentucky Derby Winners Kentucky Derby winners 1875 Aristides 1876 Vagrant 1877 Baden - Baden 1878 Day Star 1879 Lord Murphy 1880 Fonso 1881 Hindoo 1882 Apollo 1883 Leonatus 1884 Buchanan 1885 Joe Cotton 1886 Ben Ali 1887 Montrose 1888 Macbeth II 1889 Spokane 1890 Riley 1891 Kingman 1892 Azra 1893 Lookout 1894 Chant 1895 Halma 1896 Ben Brush 1897 Typhoon II 1898 Plaudit 1899 Manuel 1900 Lieut. 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Tee 1993 Sea Hero 1994 Go for Gin 1995 Thunder Gulch 1996 Grindstone 1997 Silver Charm 1998 Real Quiet 1999 Charismatic 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus 2001 Monarchos 2002 War Emblem 2003 Funny Cide 2004 Smarty Jones 2005 Giacomo 2006 Barbaro 2007 Street Sense 2008 Big Brown 2009 Mine That Bird 2010 Super Saver 2011 Animal Kingdom 2012 I 'll Have Another 2013 Orb 2014 California Chrome 2015 American Pharoah ₩ 2016 Nyquist 2017 Always Dreaming 2018 Justify Legend -- ₩ = Triple Crown winners, ♥ = Filly Triple Crowns of horse racing United States Thoroughbred Racing Kentucky Derby Preakness Stakes Belmont Stakes Harness Racing Pacers Cane Pace Messenger Stakes Little Brown Jug Harness Racing Trotters Hambletonian Yonkers Trot Kentucky Futurity Great Britain Thoroughbred Racing 2000 Guineas Stakes Epsom Derby St Leger Stakes Ireland Thoroughbred Racing Irish 2,000 Guineas Irish Derby Irish St. Leger Canada Thoroughbred Racing Queen 's Plate Prince of Wales Stakes Breeders ' Stakes Australia Thoroughbred Racing Randwick Guineas Rosehill Guineas Australian Derby Related topics Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing American Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing Canadian Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing Breeders ' Cup Classic Breeders ' Cup Distaff Louisville, Kentucky ( metro area ) History Timeline George Rogers Clark -- founder Civil War Historic places Geography Downtown Cityscape Climate Local landmarks Neighborhoods Parks Preservation districts ( Old Louisville ) Government Mayor ( Greg Fischer ) Metro Council ( President : David James ) Transportation Bowman Field Louisville International Airport McAlpine Locks and Dam Roads TARC Other subject areas Attractions and events Cuisine Economy Education Media People Performing arts Religion Sports Top subjects Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Center Cave Hill Cemetery Falls of the Ohio Farmington Kentucky Derby ( Festival ) KFC History Colonel Sanders L&N Louisville Slugger Speed Art Museum University of Louisville ( Cardinals ) National Historic Landmarks Belle of Louisville Churchill Downs Historic Locust Grove Mayor Andrew Broaddus Old Bank Zachary Taylor House United States Marine Hospital Water Tower Prominent suburbs ( over 10K pop. ) Clarksville Jeffersontown Jeffersonville Lyndon New Albany St. Matthews Shelbyville Shepherdsville Shively Category ( city ) Category ( metro area ) Portal WikiProject Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kentucky_Derby&oldid=843242201 '' Categories : Kentucky Derby 1875 establishments in Kentucky Annual sporting events in the United States Churchill Downs horse races Flat horse races for three - year - olds Grade 1 stakes races in the United States Graded stakes races in the United States Kentucky culture May sporting events Recurring sporting events established in 1875 Sports competitions in Louisville, Kentucky Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing Hidden categories : Pages containing links to subscription - only content Use mdy dates from March 2015 Pages using deprecated image syntax Articles needing additional references from May 2018 All articles needing additional references All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2018 Commons category with page title different than on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Esperanto فارسی Français 한국어 Interlingua Italiano עברית Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Scots Simple English Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська 中文 14 more Edit links This page was last edited on 27 May 2018, at 21 : 15. 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Question: what age horse runs in the kentucky derby
Answer: three-year-old