The first Kentucky Derby race takes place on May 17, 1875. Oliver Lewis rides Aristides 1.5 miles to win, in a field of fifteen horses, in front of a crowd of 10,000 spectators. 1883 Leonatus wins the Derby, and the name “Churchill Downs” is first used to landmark the racetrack th...
Its rich heritage and timeless appeal continue to captivate audiences across generations. Learn more about how the horses enter the Kentucky Derby starting gate or plan your trip to be apart of this bucket list event.Legendary Churchill Downs Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, ...
How many horses run in the Kentucky Derby? The field for the Kentucky Derby has been kept to a maximum of 20 horses since 1975. If a horse pulls out, or scratches, from the race in the days leading up to the Derby, additional horses can fill out the field until the scratch deadline...
Fromstories of incredible horsesto the best horse trainers in the business and all the history in between, you can celebrate right along with derby fans seated in the stands on Millionaires Row. And keep reading for a cocktails recipe book, perfect for all your Kentucky Derby party needs. Sun...
Tyler Lauletta
The backside barns located behind the racetrack house more than 1,400 horses each year. Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks have run continually at Churchill Downs Racetrack since 1875. In addition, Churchill Downs Racetrack has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championship...
and ChampionLemon Drop Kid. He was the first breeder since A. J. Alexander in 1880 to breed or co-breed two horses who combined to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont in the same year. In 1992 and in 1999 he was honored with an Eclipse Award as the year’s leadi...
and ChampionLemon Drop Kid. He was the first breeder since A. J. Alexander in 1880 to breed or co-breed two horses who combined to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont in the same year. In 1992 and in 1999 he was honored with an Eclipse Award as the year’s leadi...
used; it is one yard longer than one and one-half miles. Hundreds of thousands of spectators view the race each year. Other well-known races, notably the Kentucky Derby(dûrˈbē), held each year since 1875 at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., have been named for the English classic...
Thoroughbred horse,breed oflight horsemore properly known as the English running horse. As its name implies, it was the first pedigreed, or “thoroughbred” horse. It originated in England from crosses between imported Turkish andArabian horsesand existing English lines and has since been exported ...