Kentucky Derby: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 30, 2026

News •

Hughes wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile, establishes himself as early Kentucky Derby favorite • Oct. 30, 2026, 9:42 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, races across the finish line to win the 132nd Kentucky Derby, with other horses trailing behind.

Jockeys riding racehorses round a turn at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby, with a large crowd in the grandstands in the background.

Triple Crown winner

Making history at the Kentucky Derby

Secretariat: 1973 Kentucky Derby

Secretariat, ridden by jockey Ron Turcotte in blue and white silks, races far ahead of competitors to win the 1973 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with a packed grandstand in the background.

Secretariat, wearing the number 1A and draped in a garland of red roses, stands with jockey Ron Turcotte at Churchill Downs after winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby.

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Topics

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

Key People

D. Wayne Lukas, 2018

D. Wayne Lukas

American horse trainer

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Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons

American horse trainer

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

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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).

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

American Sports Nicknames

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

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