Kentucky Derby

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References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Barbaro winning the Kentucky Derby

“The most exciting two minutes in sports”

Triple Crown winner

Making history at the Kentucky Derby

Secretariat: 1973 Kentucky Derby

Jockey Ron Turcotte and Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby

1973 Kentucky Derby winner Secretariat

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Kentucky Derby summary

Kentucky Derby: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jun 07, 2025

News •

Sovereignty beats Journalism to win the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga • June 7, 2025, 11:06 PM ET (AP)

Journalism opens as the Belmont favorite. Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty is the 2nd choice • June 2, 2025, 5:52 PM ET (AP)

Eric Shanks grew up an Indy 500 fanatic who vows to make race Fox Sports' biggest event of the year • May 21, 2025, 1:21 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Notable Honorees	James Winkfield • Jerry D. Bailey • Victor Espinoza • Gary Stevens • Isaac Burns Murphy • Willie Simms • Edward Riley Bradley • William Woodward • Bill Shoemaker • Bill Hartack • Warren Wright • Johnny Longden • Eddie Arcaro • Earl Sande

Photos

Barbaro winning the Kentucky Derby

“The most exciting two minutes in sports”

Triple Crown winner

Making history at the Kentucky Derby

Secretariat: 1973 Kentucky Derby

Jockey Ron Turcotte and Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby

1973 Kentucky Derby winner Secretariat

See All Images →

Topics

Thoroughbred racing Triple Crown horse racing Preakness Stakes Triple Crown the Palio Belmont Stakes Grand National Melbourne Cup Hambletonian Stakes Grand Circuit Prix du Jockey Club Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Key People

D. Wayne Lukas

American horse trainer

Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons

American horse trainer

Rich Harden no. 40 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers. July 31, 2008 at Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cubs defeated the Brewers 11-4. Major League Baseball (MLB).

Sports Firsts Through the Ages Quiz

Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.

American Sports Nicknames

Cricket bat and ball. cricket sport of cricket.Homepage blog 2011, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics

Sports Quiz

Field of race horses at the clubhouse turn during the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky May 5, 2007. Thoroughbred horse racing

All About Horse Racing Quiz

Field of race horses at the clubhouse turn during the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky May 5, 2007. Thoroughbred horse racing

All About Horse Racing Quiz