About
Kentucky Derby is an annual horse race event held in Louisville, Kentucky. The tournament lasts two weeks and is
regarded as America’s longest running sporting contest. The winner takes home $1,425,000.
History
In 1872, Meriwether Lewis Clark went to Europe and got a chance to attend the Epsom Derby, a popular horse race in England then. After returning to America, he was determined to start a similar event home. His uncles, John and Henry Churchill gave him the land he needed. On May 17, 1875, the first race was run and Oliver Lewis riding Aristides emerged as the winner in front a crowd of about 10,000 fans.
In the early years, the three-year-old Thoroughbreds ran for one and a half miles. However, in 1896, that distance was shortened to one and a quarter miles. BBC broadcasted the event internationally for the first time in 1932.
Records
Eddy Arcaro and Bill Hartack are two jockeys who have recorded the most wins at five. Eddie Arcaro’s first win came in 1938 while riding Lawrin and the last one came in 1952 while riding Hill Gail. Bill Hartack’s last win was with
Majestic Prince in 1969.
2018 Event
On Saturday, May 5, 2018, Mike Smith, riding Justify, won the Kentucky Derby. This was the second win for the 52-year-old iron man who recorded his first win in 2005. During the 144th event, about 157,813 spectators turned up. Good Magic ridden by Jose L. Ortiz and Audible ridden by Javier Castellano took the second and the third places respectively.
Previous Winners
The event has been held continuously even in the middle of major disruptions such as the Great Depression and the two World Wars. In 2017, Always Dreaming under jockey John Velazquez won the race. It was Velazquez’s second win after winning with Animal Kingdom in 2011. Victor Espinoza has also been another successful jockey at the
event in recent times after winning in 2014 and 2015 with California Chrome and American Pharaoh respectively.