Every spring, more than 150,000 fans pack Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, dressed to the nines in big hats and bow ties, mint juleps in hand—all for a what’s been called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Millions of dollars will exchange hands as bettors make their Kentucky Derby predictions across the country.
But the Kentucky Derby is more than just a horse race—it’s a tradition, a spectacle, and a slice of American history. Whether you’re a seasoned handicapper, a casual bettor, or just here for the drinks and fashion, here are some fascinating facts to impress your friends on Derby Day.
Oldest continuously-run sporting event in the U.S.
The Derby has been staged every year since its debut on May 17, 1875—even through world wars and pandemics.
The race got shorter in 1896
Complaints that 1½ miles was too tough for spring three-year-olds led Churchill Downs to trim the distance to 1¼ miles—the length still used today.
“Run for the Roses” isn’t just a slogan
The winner receives a 40-pound garland of 554 red roses, a custom that started in 1896 when Ben Brush was draped in blooms.
Mint juleps flow—by the six-figure load
More than 125,000 of the bourbon-and-mint cocktails are poured over Derby weekend, requiring roughly 10,000 bottles of bourbon and 1,000 pounds of mint.
The purse hit a record $5 million
Since 2024—and again for the 151st running on May 3, 2025—the total purse sits at $5 million, with $3.1 million to the winner.
Secretariat’s clock still can’t be beaten
“Big Red” blazed 1¼ miles in 1:59.40 in 1973; no horse has dipped under two minutes since.
Donerail owns the ultimate upset
The 1913 champ scored at 91-to-1 odds—the biggest long-shot victory in Derby history.
Only three fillies have ever won
Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988) are the lone female thoroughbreds to capture the roses.
Trailblazing jockeys are rare, too
Diane Crump shattered the gender barrier in 1970 as the first woman to ride in the Derby; to date only six women have competed.
Age really is just a number in the irons
Hall-of-Famer Bill Shoemaker became the oldest winning jockey at 54 when he guided Ferdinand to victory in 1986. This year Mike Smith has an opportunity to make history at 59.
