History Of The Kentucky Derby

It is doubtful that there is a more famous event in the history of Thoroughbred horse racing than the annual Kentucky Derby. Since 1875, horses from across America have competed in this difficult and exciting race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, often with aspirations of winning the elusive Triple Crown, the most coveted title in horse racing. Here, we take a look at the history of the Kentucky Derby, where it started, famous winners of the race, and the impact it has had on American culture.

Kentucky Derby History

The history of the Kentucky Derby began in Louisville, a city known for its horse racing long before the state of Kentucky was accepted into the United States of America in 1792. However, the race's beginnings can be traced to Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., an American colonel.

Kentucky Derby Creator

The creator of the Kentucky Derby, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., was a man with deep roots in American history, appropriate for the man who brought such an iconic horse race to America. Clark Jr. was the grandson of famed American explorer William Clark, who was one half of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. In fact, Clark Jr.’s first and middle names, Meriwether Lewis, were derived from William Clark’s famous companion. True to his ancestry of exploration, Clark Jr. was an avid traveler, and it was his experiences across the globe that led him to bring horse racing to America.

During his travels to Europe, Clark Jr. met and befriended a number of prominent figures in the horse racing business, meetings which inspired him to set up a jockey club in Louisville. To do so, Clark built a racing track on land owned by his uncles, John and Henry Churchill, which he later named “Churchill Downs” in their honor.

First Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs opened in 1875, and that same year, the first-ever Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, being won by a horse named Aristides. In 1895, the track’s famous, twin-spired grandstand was completed. In the modern day, the Kentucky Derby is traditionally held annually, usually on the first Saturday in May.

Kentucky Derby Cultural History

Since its inauguration in 1875, the Kentucky Derby has been the site of many historical events and cultural moments. It and other horse races were notable in the late 1800s for being one of the few sports where athletes of color were prominently featured. For example, in the first Kentucky Derby, 13 of the 15 jockeys competing were black, including the winner, Oliver Lewis, who rode Aristides. Isaac Burns Murphy, the son of a black Union soldier, was the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times, capturing the race in 1884, 1890, and 1891.

The Derby has also been known for including many winning horses owned by women, including Penny Chenery, the owner of Secretariat, the horse who won both the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown in 1973 and who still holds the all-time speed record in the race.

Kentucky Derby Traditions History

In addition to its long history, the Kentucky Derby has spawned a number of unique cultural practices that are hallmarks of its annual running. Each year, the week before the Derby sees various festivals, galas, and parties for jockeys, owners, and fans alike, and the day of the race itself is known for its many traditions.

One of these traditions is drinking mint juleps, which are iced cocktails made from bourbon, mint, and sugar. Women who attend the Kentucky Derby are known for wearing elaborate hats, often with wide brims, feathers, and even jewelry.

Another notable tradition at the race involves the winning horse being draped with a blanket of red roses, which led to the coining of the Derby’s popular nickname, the “Run for the Roses,” in 1925. A final tradition well-known to Derby fans is the singing of Stephen Foster’s song “My Old Kentucky Home” while the horses are being led to the starting gate, a tradition that dates back to the 1930s.

Key Dates and Facts Timeline

• 1875: Churchill Downs is opened by Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., and the first Kentucky Derby is held, won by jockey Oliver Lewis and horse Aristides
• 1891: Isaac Burns Murphy becomes the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times
• 1913: Donerail wins the Kentucky Derby at 91-1 odds, the greatest upset in Derby history
• 1915: Regret becomes the first, and thus far the only filly to win the Kentucky Derby
• 1919: Sir Barton wins the Kentucky Derby and goes on to win the first Triple Crown, though this is not officially recognized until 1950
• 1946: Assault becomes the fourth horse to win the Derby by eight lengths, the longest margin of victory in Derby history, and goes on to win the Triple Crown
• 1973: Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby, setting the all-time speed record for the race, and goes on to be the first Triple Crown winner since 1948
• 2015: American Pharoah wins the Kentucky Derby and later becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years
• 2021: American horse trainer Bob Baffert breaks the record for most wins at the Kentucky Derby (six) when his horse, Medina Spirit, wins the race. However, Medina Spirit’s victory is later rescinded after the horse tests positive for betamethasone, a banned substance.
• 2022: In the second-largest upset in Derby history, Rich Strike wins the Kentucky Derby at 80-1 odds, having only entered the race the day before due to a last-minute scratch.

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