How many horses have won the Triple Crown? 15 facts to know about the Kentucky Derby

Posted by author January 27, 2025 Horse Racing

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If this May marks your first trip to the Kentucky Derby, you probably have a couple of questions. OK, maybe a few more than that.

Luckily, The Courier Journal in Louisville has been at this thing a while — we’ve covered the Kentucky Derby every year, from the first running in 1875 when Aristides crossed the finish line at Churchill Downs to Mystik Dan‘s win during the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024.

Here are a few things to know about the iconic race before your trip to Kentucky.

What is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is an annual horse race that takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It’s the first leg of the Triple Crown, a series of three races that includes the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York. It’s one of the biggest and most attended horse races of the year, with two weeks of festivities in Louisville, including the Kentucky Derby Festival, leading up to the competition.

How long is the Kentucky Derby?

The length of the Kentucky Derby race is a mile and a quarter, or 10 furlongs. Horses usually make it around the track in a little over two minutes, with Secretariat’s 1973 pace of 1:59.40 still standing as the fastest time ever.

What is a furlong?

A furlong is a racing term that refers to an eighth of a mile.

Who can run in the Kentucky Derby?

The race is open to up to 20 3-year-old horses that have qualified through Churchill Downs’ “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points system, which was first implemented for the 2013 running.

What is the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby?’

The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is a series of races that award points to the Top 5 finishers in each race. Prep races take place from September through April and reward horses doing their best running closest to May 3.

What breed are Kentucky Derby horses?

Thoroughbred horses are eligible to run in the Kentucky Derby.

Can a filly run in the Kentucky Derby?

Female horses, known as fillies, have run in and won the Kentucky Derby, though none have tried since the current points system came into effect in 2013, which requires fillies to race against males (known as colts) before the Derby. Among the 40 fillies to run, Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988) were Derby winners.

How much money does the Kentucky Derby winner get?

As of mid-January, Churchill Downs had not announced the 2025 purse for the 151st Kentucky Derby.

In 2024, the Kentucky Derby’s total purse was record-breaking $5 million, divided between the race’s top five finishers. The winner Mystik Dan received $3.1 million, and $1 million went to the runner-up, Sierra Leone. The third, fourth and fifth place winners received $500,000, $250,000 and $150,000, respectively.

Who has won the most Kentucky Derby races?

A horse is only eligible to run in the race one time, since only 3-year-old thoroughbreds are invited.

Which trainer has the most Kentucky Derby wins?

Bob Baffert and Ben Jones are currently tied with six Kentucky Derby wins apiece. Baffert’s had seven horses cross the finish line first, but his 2021 win with Medina Spirit, though, was disqualified after the horse was found to have tested positive for betamethasone. While the drug is legal as a therapeutic aid for horses, it is illegal when found in the blood on race day because it’s considered a possible performance enhancer.

Which jockey has the most Kentucky Derby wins?

With five Kentucky Derby wins apiece, jockeys Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack share the record for most victories.

How many horses have won the Triple Crown?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates there are 116 million equines in the world, but only 13 have won the Triple Crown:

Sir Barton (1919)
Gallant Fox (1930)
Omaha (1935)
War Admiral (1937)
Whirlaway (1941)
Count Fleet (1943)
Assault (1946)
Citation (1948)
Secretariat (1973)
Seattle Slew (1977)
Affirmed (1978)
American Pharoah (2015)
Justify (2018)

What day is the Kentucky Derby held each year?

The Kentucky Derby has been held every year since 1875 and has been staged on the first Saturday in May every year since 1946, with two exceptions. The 1945 Derby was held June 9 because of World War II and the 2020 Kentucky Derby was held Sept. 5 after it was moved over fears of the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2025, the race is scheduled to take place on May 3.

What is the Kentucky Oaks race?

The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbred fillies that takes place on the Friday that precedes the Derby.

In 2025, the Kentucky Oaks will take place on May 2.

What other races are held during Kentucky Derby Week?

Derby Week racing begins on Saturday, April 26, and will lead up to the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3.

Here is a list of events that will take place before the Kentucky Derby:

Opening Night: Saturday, April 26: Kick off Derby Week during a Great Gatsby-inspired evening. This evening features about a dozen races as well as the draw for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby
Dawn at the Downs: Sunday-Monday, April 27-28: Spend the morning at Churchill Downs to watch Derby and Oaks contenders warm up on the track.
502’sDay, Tuesday, April 29: 502’s Day celebrates the community and also will recognize the 20th anniversary of the Muhammad Ali Center, honoring the legacy of Louisville’s own Muhammad Ali.
WinsDay, Wednesday, April 30: Churchill Downs will spotlight the efforts of local non-profit organizations.
Thurby, Thursday, May 1: Enjoy bourbon and horse racing as well as other parts of Kentucky’s culture.
Kentucky Oaks, Friday, May 2: Witness America’s top race for 3-year-old fillies.
Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 3: Witness the 151st Run for the Roses.