It's the first Saturday in May, and all eyes turn toward Churchhill Downs, as they have for more than120 years. The reason, as every sports fan knows, is the latest running of America's premier race, the "Run For The Roses" - The Kentucky Derby - for three-year olds at 1 ¼ miles, the first event in the "Triple Crown." Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum maintain excellent web sites with information on both the Derby and the track.
The
First
Aristides won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.
The Fillies
Regret, in 1915, became the first filly to win the
Kentucky Derby. It took 65 years before another filly,
Genuine Risk, would capture the Run for the Roses in
1980. In 1988, Winning Colors became the third of her
gender to win the Derby.
The Fastest
Secretariat set the record (1:59 2/5) for the running of
the 1-1/4 mile distance in 1973.
The Jocky
Eddie Arcaro was the first to ride five winners, (1938,
1941, 1945, 1948 and 1952), a mark also held by Bill
Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, and 1969)
The Trainer
Ben A. Jones trained the most winners - six for Calumet
Farm(1938, 1941,1944, 1948, 1949, and 1952).
The Owner
Calumet Farm has had the most winners, eight (1941, 1944,
1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, and 1968).
Calumet Farm
Lexington's Calumet Farm has been the most sucessful farm in
American Thoroughbred racing history. To learn more about this
racing giant, visit our special exhibit,CALUMET FARM: FIVE DECADES OF
CHAMPIONS.
Original
Calls of the Kentucky Derbies Won by Calumet Horses
Between 1941 and 1968, Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
won a record
eight Kentucky Derbies. Included here are calls of the 1948
(Citation), 1949 (Ponder),
1957 (Iron Leigh), and 1958 (Tim Tam) Derbies, in Real
Audio format.
Download Real Audio.
Kentucky Derby Winners
For a list of Derby winners and additional history on the Run for
the Roses, visit The
Kentucky Derby history page at the University of Kentucky.
Thoroughbred racing is truly an international sport. The following races are some of the premier sporting events both here and around the world.
The
Preakness
The second "jewel" in the Triple Crown at 1
3/16 miles is held each May at Maryland's Pimlico Race
Track.
The Belmont
The last and longest of the Triple Crown races, the 1 ½
mile Belmont Stakes takes place each June near New York
City.
Santa Anita Derby
California mountains provide a spectacular setting for
this important 1-1/8 mile contest for three-year-olds.
The Travers
At 1-1/4 miles, America's oldest stakes race (first run
in 1864) takes place every August at hallowed Saratoga in
New York state.
The Washington International Held at a 1-1/2 miles on turf, the Washington International attracts the world's best horses to Laurel in Maryland, each November.
For information on the contributions of African Americans to
Thoroughbred racing, visit the exhibit provided by the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Prix De L'arc De
Triomphe
Rich and prestigious, the Arc takes place at lovely
Longchamps, outside of Paris, France.
Irish Sweeps Derby
The Emerald Isle's classic fixture is held at the
Curragh, near Dublin.
The Queen's Plate
The oldest stakes race on the North American continent is
held at Toronto's Woodbine Race Track.
The Melbourne Cup
The most important race "down under" highlights
Australia's Thoroughbred season.
The Emperor's Cup
This Japanese classic is run twice a year.