Celebrating the Kentucky Derby with Fun Facts and Trivia
Kentucky Derby Fun Facts and Trivia
There have been 16 jockeys who rode in the Kentucky Derby only once and won.
The only sitting president to make an appearance at the Kentucky Derby was Richard Nixon in 1969.
Only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont races). The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed.
The first Kentucky Derby ran in 1875.
The first winner of the Kentucky Derby was Aristdes. Astrides was ridden by Oliver Lewis, an African-American. Fifteen horses ran in the race that year.
Secretariat recorded the fastest race time in 1973, running the race in 1:59 2/5.
Three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby: Favored Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988.
The largest attended Kentucky Derby to date was in 1974 with 163,628 spectators.
In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were in attendance to watch Street Sense win the 133rd race.
Each year the race is attended by many celebrities. One of the first celebrity sightings dates back to 1877 when Helena Modjeska. To see a complete roster of celebrities who have attended, click here.
Celebrity horse owners have included: Burt Bacharach, Hammer, Barry Gordy, Albert Broccoli, George Steinbrenner and Steven Speilberg to name a few.
A racehorse can lose up to 25 pounds running the two minute race.
Regardless of when a racehorse is born, they all become one year older on New Year's Day.
Willie Shoemaker is the oldest jockey to have won at the Kentucky Derby. He was 54 when he rode Ferdinand in 1986.
Diane Crump was the first woman to "Run for the Roses." She rode in 1970.
The mint julep is the official toast to the winning horse.
Calumet Farm, located in Kentucky, has bred eight horse that each have won the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby 136 airs on NBC on Saturday, May 1, 5-7 p.m. EDT
Sources:
www.kentuckyderby.com
www.kentuckyderby.info
www.secretariat.com
www.horsehobbyist.com
Published by C.A. Jacobs
C.A. Jacobs is a freelance writer who enjoys writing, traveling, reading and shopping in her spare time. View profile
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14 Comments
Post a Comment:)! rcj
Thanks for that. very interesting.
I like learning random facts. This was a fun read!
Very interesting facts.
Great facts.
What fun facts! These would make great trivia questions for a party game on Saturday!
Never been there, Chythia, though not living all that far below the state. Thanks for painting the image for us.
**sorry, 'Pretty'
Very cool!! Makes me picture the movie'Prety Woman.'
Love this article! I've always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby, it's on my bucket list!