Kentucky Derby History and Wagering

The Kentucky Derby was first run at 1.5 miles (2.4 km). In 1896, the distance was changed to its current 1.25 miles (2 km). On May 17, 1875, in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses contested the first Kentucky Derby.

Under African-American jockey Oliver Lewis, a colt named Aristides, who was trained by future Hall of Famer, Ansel Williamson, won the inaugural Derby.

On May 11, 1892, jockey Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton, age 15, became the youngest rider to win the Derby. The 1904 race was won by Elwood, the first Derby starter and winner owned by a woman, Laska Durnell. In 1915, Regret became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby, and in 1917, the English bred colt "Omar Khayyam" became the first foreign-bred horse to win the race.

In 1908 pari-mutual betting was introduced at the Kentucky Derby. This would change the sport forever as states adopted this "legalized" form of betting in exchange for a percentage of the profits.

On May 3, 1952, the first national television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place. In 1954, the purse exceeded $100,000 for the first time.

The 2004 Kentucky Derby marked the first time that jockeys, as a result of a court order, were allowed to wear corporate advertising logos on their clothing.

In 2005, the purse distribution for the Kentucky Derby was changed, so that horses finishing fifth would henceforth receive a share of the purse; previously only the first four finishers did so.

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