Kentucky Derby Winners by Year: Full list of winners

Publish date: 2024-08-11

The Kentucky Derby stands as the pinnacle of American horse racing, showcasing the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds on the iconic Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky.

This prestigious event occurs on the first Saturday of May and is the highlight of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.

Patrick Mahomes makes MVP call for Riders in Kentucky Derby

The race is famously known as "the most exciting two minutes in sports" due to its breathtaking pace and short duration, covering a distance of 1 mile. In 2024, the record time of 1:59:40 set by Secretariat in 1973 - the year he won the Triple Crown - will celebrate its 51st anniversary.

The Derby is not only a test of speed and agility but also of enduring legacy, often referred to as "The Run for the Roses" because of the rose garland awarded to the winning horse.

This competition is the first leg of the United States' Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing, drawing around 150,000 attendees to one of the world's most exclusive sports events.

History of the Kentucky Derby

Kentucky's role as a crucial horse breeding hub dates back to colonial times, thanks to its vast pastures rich in calcium, which are ideal for developing top-tier racehorses.

The inception of the Kentucky Derby was influenced by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.'s visit to the Epsom Derby in England-an event first held in 1780.

Inspired by the prestige and tradition of the Epsom Derby, Clark returned to Kentucky and established the Louisville Jockey Club in 1872 to raise funds for building a top-notch racing facility on the outskirts of Louisville.

The track, known as Churchill Downs-named after John and Henry Churchill, who provided the land-officially adopted this name in 1937, though the first Derby ran as early as 1875.

Initially, the race covered 1.5 miles, but this was adjusted to its current 1.25 miles in 1896. The inaugural race was witnessed by approximately 10,000 spectators and featured 15 competing horses.

'Aristides,' ridden by African American jockey Oliver Lewis and trained by Ansel Williamson, had the honor of winning the first Kentucky Derby, setting a precedent for over a century of prestigious racing that continues to captivate and thrill audiences worldwide.

Who are the Kentucky Derby winners?

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3RnJhnm5%2BifKa6jqamq51dqL2wvtOsZmtoYml8cYGOaWtobmZog3mwkGtrb2lmaLN1gJWeb5tsZWuwb7TTpqM%3D