Proclaimed the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby is just that. Each year, equestrians and non-equestrians alike join in this immersive experience full of excitement, speed, fancy hats, and, of course, majestic horses. With the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, here is a list of facts about the race that you may not know.

Facts About The Race

  1. The Kentucky Derby is the longest-continuously held sporting event in the United States. It was first held on May 17, 1875, and has continued to take place every year since.
  2. The Derby is also called “The Run for the Roses” because after the race, the winner is draped in a blanket adorned with over 400 roses. This blanket weighs about 40 pounds!
  3. The Derby always takes place on the first Saturday in May, except for two occasions: in 1945, when a wartime ban on horse racing postponed the event, and in 2020, when the race was delayed until September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclement weather has never led to its cancellation or postponement.
  4. A maximum of 20 horses can run in the Derby each year. This number was made official in 1975, making it the largest field for any single race in America.
  5. Diane Crump was the first woman jockey to ride in the Derby in 1970. No female jockey has won the race yet, but Shelley Riley came closest in 1992 with a second-place finish.

Facts About the Winners

  • The letter “S” has been unusually lucky in Derby history. Nineteen winners, including the legendary Secretariat, had names starting with “S.”
  • Post position #1, known as “the dreaded rail,” is typically viewed as unfavorable due to the risk of getting boxed in.
  • In contrast, posts #5 and #10 have historically been the most successful, with more wins than any other position.
  • Only three fillies (female horses) have ever won the Derby: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980), and Winning Colors (1988).
  • Kentucky-bred horses dominate the winner’s circle more than any other state—no surprise there!

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Learn More About the Kentucky Derby

Want to know what went down at the 2024 Derby? Click here to catch up on last year’s excitement and see which horse took the crown.

The facts in this blog were compiled from Town & Country Magazine and the Kentucky Derby Museum.