Kentucky Derby Winners Bought and Bred

By US Racing Team

Once again this year the Kentucky Derby will be run for a purse of $3 million, which means the winner will take home a minimum of $1.8 million. But before the group of 20 makes it to the starting gate, a significant financial investment has been made. Many have been purchased at the young horse auctions, or privately after beginning their racing careers, while others are bred by their owners, who paid stud fees – sometimes top dollar – to possess what they hope is the perfect Derby runner.

The last yearling sales purchase to win the  Kentucky Derby was Authentic in 2020. Before that, Triple Crown winner Justify brought $500,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. And the last 2-year-old in training sales purchase to win the  Kentucky Derby was 2016 winner Nyquist, who was sold for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March sale.

The last private purchase to win the  Kentucky Derby was 2009 winner Mine That Bird and the last homebred to win the Kentucky Derby was Mandaloun in 2021. Last year’s winner, Rich Strike, was claimed from his breeder, Calumet Farm, for $30,000 out of his second career start.

This year, 15 members of the Kentucky Derby field, not including also-eligibles, were sold at public auction, four are homebreds and another appears to have been purchased privately with no auction history available.

The most expensive runner in the list of likely starters this year is Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Tapit Trice, who was a $1.3 million Keeneland September yearling in 2021.

Fusaichi Pegasus remains the most expensive purchase in Kentucky Derby history, having brought $4 million as a Keeneland July yearling in 1998 before winning the Kentucky Derby almost two years later. By comparison, Venezuelan-raced Cannonero II was just $1,200 Keeneland September yearling in 1969, even with inflation making him the best bargain.