Brief History of the Kentucky Derby

One of the major horse breeding centers in America since late 18th century is Kentucky. The Bluegrass Region in Kentucky was famous for breeding superior racehorses. In 1872, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. had traveled to England to visit the famous Epsom Derby. He was immensely impressed by the facilities and the way the race was conducted. While touring Europe, Clark had also visited France and had an opportunity to witness the Grand Prix de Paris, in Paris.

Grand Prix de Paris and Epsom Derby were the greatest races held in Europe annually. On returning home, Col. Clark along with a few horse breeders organized a race in Louisville, Kentucky to raise money to build a race club outside the city limits. A racetrack equal to the European standards was built and this club was known as Louisville Jockey club. The relatives of Clark, Henry Churchill and John Churchill, granted the land for the racetrack. In 1937, this racetrack was renamed as "Churchill Downs".

The Kentucky Derby Through the Years

The Kentucky Derby is held annually on the first Saturday in the month of May in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is held for almost two weeks and is celebrated as a Kentucky Derby Festival.

Only the colts and gelding which were three-years of age were allowed to participate in the race. The colt and gelding were to carry 126 pounds while the fillies were to carry 121 pounds.

On May 17, 1875, the first derby was held in Churchill Downs. Fifteen horses had participated in this race and the estimated crowd was 10,000 people.

The distance covered in the first derby was 1.5 miles similar to the Epsom Derby of England and Grand Prix de Paris. However, in 1896, the distance covered was increased to 2.25 miles. This is in practice to this date.

The inaugural derby was won by an African-American jockey Oliver Lewis. He rode astride the horse Aristides.

It was known as the "Run for the Roses". The reason is the winner is wrapped with a blanket of roses at the time of trophy presentation.

African-Americans played a significant role in the Kentucky Derby. Out of twenty-eight Kentucky races held between 1875 and 1902, African - American jockeys won fifteen races.

Alonzo Clayton also known as "Lonnies" became the youngest African-American jockey to win the derby. The race was held on May 11, 1892.

In 1915, Regret became the first filly to win and two years later in 1917, an English colt "Omar Khayyam" became the first foreign-bred horse to win the derby. The horse Apollo, aged two was the youngest horse ever to win, in 1882.

Women also played a significant and active role. Mrs. Laska Durnell was the first woman to nominate her horse Elwood in 1904. Elwood was a wined in the field of five. In the 1942 derby, women owned seven horses of the first eight finishers and there were women horse trainers. Four women have participated in the famed "Run for the Roses". The Kentucky Derby is one of the famous Grand Stake I held in the world.