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2024 Kentucky Derby


Kentucky Derby 2024

A race steeped in history, and the first jewel in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States, the Kentucky Derby is always a star feature on the American sporting calendar.

Given the contest is dubbed as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, it’s no surprise that the Kentucky Derby never fails to deliver in the entertainment department, and the 2024 Kentucky Derby is shaping up to be no different.

The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Triple Crown - which is arguably the most difficult accomplishment in horse racing - preceding both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The former of those takes place just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, with the final leg coming three weeks later. Only thirteen horses have achieved the mighty feat of being successful in all three races, further amplifying its toughness. The most recent of those being Justify in 2018, and American Pharaoh in 2015 - both horses were trained by Bob Baffert.

The Kentucky Derby is a race for three-year-old thoroughbreds only, which takes place at Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s open to colts and geldings, as well as fillies, who receive a 2kg weight allowance if taking part

It’s a race soaked in tradition. “Riders Up!” will be called to signal it’s time for jockeys to mount their horses, and the Kentucky Derby winner will be draped in a giant garland of 554 roses, a tradition going all the way back to 1896, and the reason the race is known as “The Run for the Roses”

Kentucky Derby 2024 Date and Time

The 2024 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday 4th May 2024, with the off time set to be around 6:00 and 7:00pm EST. It is the main event at the end of the two week Kentucky Derby Festival, which also includes the Kentucky Oaks

This 2024 renewal of the Kentucky Derby will be the 150th running of the prestigious race, and it will have the richest purse the contest has ever offered. Up 67% from last year, $5 million will be given out overall, with the 2024 Kentucky Derby winning connections receiving a handsome $3.1 million

Each running of the Kentucky Derby so far has taken place in mid-spring in May, bar two occasions where it had to be rescheduled in the same year. The first occasion was due to World

The History Of The Kentucky Derby

he inspiration for the creation of the Kentucky Derby stems from famous and long-standing races in England and France. Back in 1872, the grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark duo, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., traveled overseas, firstly visiting Surrey where the prestigious Group 1 Epsom Derby has been taking place annually since 1780. After that, Clark visited Paris, France, the home of one of France’s biggest equestrian contests, the Grand Prix de Paris. This prompted Clark to create the Louisville Jockey Club on his return to Kentucky, which helped create funds for racing facilities, including a track. The land for it was given to Clark by Henry Churchill, hence the now iconic name for it, Churchill Downs

Meriwether’s aim was to create an American equivalent to the Epsom Derby, that would be over the same distance, and include graded-level thoroughbreds competing in it. That takes us to the birth of the Kentucky Derby.

The first running of the Kentucky Derby took place in 1875, and since then it has gone from strength-to-strength. It is passionately beloved by a huge number of sporting fans, evidenced by the fact it is both the most-attended, and most-watched horse race in the United States

Kentucky Derby 2024 Trends

Past race trends can often be a bettor’s best friend when it comes to top class races that don’t look easy to work out on paper. We’ve done all the Kentucky Derby research you need, and picked out some key stats from data of past renewals.

Over the last ten runnings of the Kentucky Derby, the favorite has won on five occasions, however none of those have been in the last five renewals. The most recent form figures for Kentucky Derby favorites reads: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4, 2, 3, 2, 3.

Another interesting Kentucky Derby trend to note is that runners are 0-60 when their furthest winning distance prior to the Kentucky Derby, is at a mile & a half.

Kentucky Derby 2024 Betting & Odds

The current Kentucky Derby favorite is Risen Star winner Sierra Leone. The Chad Brown-trained colt is generally available at odds of 6/1.

You have to go all the way back to 1913 for the biggest odds winner of the Kentucky Derby. Donerali was sent off at an eye-watering 91/1 before passing the winning post first. The second highest-odds Kentucky Derby winner occurred more recently, when Rich Strike won in 2022 at 80/1.

Kentucky Derby 2024 Distance

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 race run over a distance of one & a quarter miles.

For the first two decades however, the Kentucky Derby was run over one & a half miles.

Kentucky Derby Previous Winners

Several famous racehorses have made their name in the Kentucky Derby over the years. Secretariat holds the record for the fastest winning time of 1:59.4, which was set back in 1973.

Old Rosebud (1914), Johnstown (1939), Whirlaway (1941) and Assault (1946) all hold the record for the largest winning Kentucky Derby margin of eight lengths.

Kentucky Derby Trainer Stats

Bob Baffert and Ben Jones top the pile when it comes to the most wins recorded in the Kentucky Derby. Baffert is still serving a ban after his 2021 Kentucky Derby winner failed a post-race drug test, preventing the trainer from having entries for the 2024 renewal.

Overall there have been 116 individual winners of the Kentucky Derby in its history, with 19 of those tasting glory in the race on multiple occasions.

Kentucky Derby Jockey Stats

There’s been 107 different winning jockeys of the Kentucky Derby, and 27 pilots have recorded multiple successes in the contest. Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack hold the record for most Kentucky Derby wins with five. The most recent jockey to win back-to-back renewals of the Kentucky Derby is Victor Espinoza with California Chrome (2014) and American Pharoah (2015).


At the center of it all is the coveted Kentucky Derby Trophy, an enduring symbol of victory and excellence in horse racing. This trophy isn't just an award; it's a testament to the skill, dedication, and spirit of the winning horse and team. Every year, the winner of the Kentucky Derby receives this iconic trophy, marking their place in racing history. With its intricate design and rich history, the Kentucky Derby Trophy is more than a prize – it's a cherished piece of equestrian lore.

But the glory isn't just in the gold. The Kentucky Derby is also famously known as 'The Run for the Roses.' Why roses? This fragrant flower has been a part of the Derby's tradition since 1883, symbolizing both beauty and battle in the race for the finish line. The blanket of 554 red roses awarded to the winner is not just a stunning sight; it's a symbol of triumph, a fragrant reminder of the struggle and success inherent in this great race.

Embrace the spirit of the Kentucky Derby – where champions are made, and legends come to life. Be part of the tradition. Feel the excitement. Experience it all with us!


Saturday, May 4th, 2024 KENTUCKY DERBY DAY Race Schedule
Grade II Churchill Downs $250,000 - added, seven furlongs, 4-year-olds and up
Grade III La Troienne $150,000 - added, seven furlongs, 3-year-old fillies
Grade III Distaff Turf Mile $150,000 - added, one mile, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Grade I Distaff $300,000 - added, seven furlongs, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Grade I Turf Classic $1 Million - added, 1 1/8 mile, 3-year-olds and up
Grade I Kentucky Derby $3 Million - guaranteed, 1 1/4 mile, 3-year-olds

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Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, the "twin spires design," "Road to the Roses" and Churchill Downs Incorporated-related trademarks are registered trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated or its affiliates (collectively CDI). CDI does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with US Racing or its products, services or promotions. US Racing provides free information, odds, facts and commentary about the Kentucky Derby and horse racing and betting, in general. Third party marks may be referenced in a transformative, editorial, informational, nominative, critical, analytical or comparative context. US Racing may reference marks belonging to third parties pursuant to our right to engage in fair use, fair comment, statutory fair use or trade mark fair use doctrine. As such, US Racing does not contribute to any dilution of any trade or service marks. US Racing provides this information in an effort to educate and grow the sport of thoroughbred racing in North America with an emphasis on attracting new fans of the sport.

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