Kentucky Derby: References & Edit History
More Articles On This Topic
Additional Reading
Many books have been published about the Kentucky Derby, the majority of which contain lovely photography but only scant detail about the race’s history. A few books deserve closer looks from anyone interested in more detail about the Derby and its history. Matt J. Winn, Down the Stretch: The Story of Colonel Matt J. Winn, As Told to Frank G. Menke (1944), provides a useful glimpse into some of the pivotal years of the Derby’s rise to prominence in the early 20th century. Among the many books on the Derby by Jim Bolus are Kentucky Derby Stories (1993), Remembering the Derby (1994), Derby Fever (1995), and Derby Dreams (1996). His collections of anecdotes and lore shed light on the horses, jockeys, trainers, and other characters whose stories have become part of the mythology of the Derby. James C. Nicholson, The Kentucky Derby: How the Run for the Roses Became America’s Premier Sporting Event (2012), explains how the Derby became an important piece of Americana and remained culturally relevant long after horse racing ceased to be a major sport in the United States.
Article Contributors
Primary Contributors
- Marvin Drager
- Jamie Nicholson
-
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors
Article History
| Type | Description | Contributor | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the Kentucky Derby table, added the 2026 winner. | May 02, 2026 | ||
| Added the results from 2026. | May 02, 2026 | ||
| Added a Top Questions section. | Apr 29, 2026 | ||
| Added the results from 2025. | May 03, 2025 | ||
| Added the 2025 winner. | May 03, 2025 | ||
| Media added. | May 01, 2025 | ||
| Add new Web site: NBC - The History of the Kentucky Derby, America's Longest Continuously Held Sporting Event. | Jul 18, 2024 | ||
| Links and photo added. | Oct 25, 2023 | ||
| Revised the discussion of the record number of wins for horse trainers. | Apr 19, 2022 | ||
| Noted that Ben Jones's record for most Kentucky Derby wins was surpassed by Bob Baffert. | May 03, 2021 | ||
| Changed “black” to “Black.” | Sep 02, 2020 | ||
| Add new Web site: Official Site of Kentucky Derby Museum. | Nov 10, 2017 | ||
| Add new Web site: Official Site of Kentucky Derby. | Nov 02, 2017 | ||
| Section on winners of the Kentucky Derby added. | Apr 23, 2015 | ||
| Article thoroughly revised. | Apr 22, 2015 | ||
| New bibliography added. | Apr 22, 2015 | ||
| Added details of the founding of the Kentucky Derby. | May 02, 2012 | ||
| Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Brief History of the Kentucky Derby. | Mar 29, 2012 | ||
| Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - Adventure - How Mini-Marathons Work. | Mar 29, 2012 | ||
| Add new Web site: Hickoksports.com - Kentucky Derby. | Mar 29, 2012 | ||
| Changed "Aristredes" to "Aristides." | May 09, 2011 | ||
| Article thoroughly revised and expanded. | Apr 21, 2011 | ||
| Added photograph. | Jul 21, 2009 | ||
| Table added. | Mar 22, 2007 | ||
| Article revised. | Mar 04, 2004 | ||
| Article added to new online database. | Jul 20, 1998 |