About the Kentucky Derby Horse Race
The Kentucky Derby is one of the three premier horse races in the United States and marks the traditional start of the U.S. Triple Crown series. Since 1875, the race has been held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, at the legendary Churchill Downs. The race distance is 1.25 miles (approximately 2 km), and the event lasts about two minutes. Every year, around 150,000 spectators attend the racetrack to witness the spectacle in person, while millions more watch on television and online.
The Kentucky Derby kicks off the famous Triple Crown series, which also includes the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York.
2027 Kentucky Derby
The 2027 Kentucky Derby, one of the most famous equestrian events in the world, will take place on May 1, 2027, in Louisville, Kentucky, at Churchill Downs Racetrack. It is a classic race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually in early May and considered the first leg of the American Triple Crown series. The event traditionally draws a huge crowd of spectators, celebrities, and betting enthusiasts, and is surrounded by a week of events, parties, and festivals. The race lasts approximately two minutes, yet is considered one of the most prestigious and atmospheric in world sports.
History and Traditions
The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, in front of 10,000 spectators. Fifteen horses competed, and the winner was the colt Aristides, ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis.
Over time, owners began sending their thoroughbreds to compete in the other Triple Crown races.
In 1919, Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three Triple Crown races.
In 1925, the Kentucky Derby was broadcast on radio for the first time on WHAS and WGN stations.
The first television broadcast occurred in 1949.
The record for the fastest time in Derby history is 1:59, set by Secretariat in 1973.
A particularly notable tradition is the fashionable ladies’ hat show, which American women adopted from British style.
Previous horse race results
| The year | Venue | Results |
| 2026 | Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky, USA | Jockey: Jose Ortiz Horse: Golden Tempo |
| 2025 | Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky, USA | Jockey: Junior Alvarado Horse: Sovereignty |
| 2024 | Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky, USA | Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Horse: Mystik Dan |
2028 Kentucky Derby
The 154th Kentucky Derby is tentatively scheduled for May 6, 2028.
Official Kentucky Derby website
Keep an eye on the dates of horse races and other events in our Sports Events Calendar.
