Kentucky Derby Facts

At its core, the Kentucky Derby is a race for 3-year-old thoroughbred horses held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. However, it is so much more than that: it is the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown; it has been dubbed the "most exciting two minutes in sports;" and it is currently the oldest continuing sporting event held in the United States. Here are some other noteworthy Kentucky Derby facts.

  1. First Winner

    • The first winner of the Kentucky Derby was Aristides, who won the race on May 17, 1875 with a time of 2:37.75. The jockey for Aristides was Oliver Lewis, the trainer was Ansel Williamson and the owner of the horse was Hal P. McGrath.

    First Filly to Win

    • The first filly to claim victory in the Kentucky Derby was Regret on May 8, 1915. Regret and jockey Joe Notter ran the race in a time of 2:05.40 to earn the win.

    First Triple Crown Winner

    • Sir Barton was the first horse to ever win the Kentucky Derby, and then go on to win both the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, thereby earning the Triple Crown. Sir Barton and jockey Johnny Loftus kicked things off by running a time of 2:09.80 at Churchill Downs on May 10, 1919.

    First Fatality

    • The first and thus far only horse to die at the Kentucky Derby was Eight Belles, who claimed second place in the 2008 race. During the cool down, the horse broke both of its front ankles and was immediately euthanized at the track.

    Most Wins

    • Ben A. Jones, who had 11 horses run the Kentucky Derby between 1938 and 1952, is the all-time leader for wins with six. Tied for second place are H.J. "Dick" Thompson and D. Wayne Lukas, each with four victories.

    Most Starts

    • Lukas holds the record for having the most horses start in the Kentucky Derby with an impressive 42 starters. Thompson is in a distant second with 24 starters, followed by Nicholas P. Zito and Todd A. Pletcher with 19 each.

    Other Trainer Facts

    • Thompson was the first trainer to have horses win the Derby in consecutive years, with Burgoo King claiming the race in 1932 and Brokers Tip winning in 1933. The oldest trainer ever to win was 76-year-old Charlie Whittingham in 1989 (Sunday Silence), and the youngest was 24-year-old James Rowe in 1881 (Hindoo).