Most racing nations have a contest that stands tall above the rest when measured by public interest and betting turnover; the Grand National, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and the Melbourne Cup are examples of events which dwarf all others from Britain, France and Australia, respectively. In the US, that race is the Kentucky Derby. First run in 1875, the race has been held every year since, making it the longest continuously running US contest.
Taking place on the first Saturday in May each year, the Kentucky Derby provides the spectacular finale to the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. Open to three-year-old colts, geldings, and fillies, and run over the 1m2f trip, the race labelled “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” serves as the first leg of the US Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes in May and the Belmont Stakes in June. With around $5m in total prize money and a place in the history books up for grabs, this is one US contest not to be missed!
2024
- 1st - Mystik Dan 186/10, Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr, Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
- 2nd - Sierra Leone 48/10, Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione, Trainer: Chad C Brown
- 3rd - Forever Young 705/100, Jockey: Ryusei Sakai, Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
2023
- 1st – Mage 152/10 - Jockey: Javier Castellano, Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
- 2nd – Two Phil’s 99/10 - Jockey: Jareth Loveberry, Trainer: Larry Rivelli
- 3rd – Angel Of Empire 41/10F - Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Brad H Cox
2022
- 1st – Rich Strike 81/1 - Jockey: Sonny Leon, Trainer: Eric R Reed
- 2nd – Epicenter 41/10F - Jockey: Joel Rosario, Trainer: Steven Asmussen
- 3rd – Zandon 61/10 - Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Chad C Brown
2021
- 1st – Mandaloun 269/10 - Jockey: Florent Geroux, Trainer: Brad H Cox
- 2nd – Hot Rod Charlie 56/10 - Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Doug O’Neill
- 3rd – Essential Quality 29/10F - Jockey: Luis Saez, Trainer: Brad H Cox
2020
- 1st – Authentic 84/10 - Jockey: John R Velazquez, Trainer: Bob Baffert
- 2nd – Tiz The Law 7/10F - Jockey Manuel Franco:, Trainer: Barclay Tagg
- 3rd – Mr Big News 47/1 - Jockey: Gabriel Saez, Trainer: W Bret Calhoun
2019
- 1st – Country House 65/1 - Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: William Mott
- 2nd – Code Of Honor 144/10 - Jockey: John R Velazquez, Trainer: Claude R McGaughey III
- 3rd – Tacitus 58/10 - Jockey: Jose L Ortiz, Trainer: William Mott
2018
- 1st – Justify 29/10F - Jockey: Mike E Smith, Trainer: Bob Baffert
- 2nd – Good Magic 97/10 - Jockey: Jose L Ortiz, Trainer: Chad C Brown
- 3rd – Audible 7/1 - Jockey: Javier Castellano, Trainer: Todd Pletcher
2017
- 1st – Always Dreaming 47/10F - Jockey: John R Velazquez, Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- 2nd – Lookin At Lee 33/1 - Jockey: Corey J Lanerie, Trainer: Steven Asmussen
- 3rd – Battle Of Midway 40/1 - Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
2016
- 1st – Nyquist 23/10F - Jockey: Mario Gutierrez, Trainer: Doug O’Neill
- 2nd – Exaggerator 51/10 - Jockey: Kent J Desormeaux, Trainer: J Keith Desormeaux
- 3rd – Gun Runner 103/10 - Jockey: Florent Geroux, Trainer: Steven Asmussen
2015
- 1st– American Pharoah 29/10F - Jockey: Victor Espinoza, Trainer: Bob Baffert
- 2nd – Firing Line 19/2 - Jockey: Gary Stevens, Trainer: Simon Callaghan
- 3rd – Dortmund 43/10 - Jockey: Martin Garcia, Trainer: Bob Baffert