KENTUCKY DERBY · UNITED STATES
Kentucky Derby prize money
The Kentucky Derby is worth $5,000,000 . That makes it the 13th richest of the 997 races on this site and the 3rd richest in the United States.
Every figure here is the money the race announces, in the currency it announces it in. The currency control at the top swaps the whole page.
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $5,000,000
WORLD RANK 13th
RUNNINGS HELD 161
What the Kentucky Derby is
Grade I · 1 1/4 miles · Dirt · Churchill Downs
- Racecourse
- Churchill Downs
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade I
- Distance
- 1 1/4 miles
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred
- Open to
- 3-year-old
- Direction
- Left-handed
We hold the total fund for the Kentucky Derby and no separate winner's cheque. What the winner takes is a rule the racecourse sets rather than a national one, and it varies race by race.
Run in 2:02.27 in 2026, the Kentucky Derby pays $40,893 for every second of the race, which is 11th of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 2nd in the United States.
Every Kentucky Derby winner
161 runnings, 1875 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | José Ortiz | |||
| 2026 | Golden Tempo2:02.27 | José Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux | Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable |
| 2025 | Sovereignty2:02.31 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Godolphin |
| 2024 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | ||
| 2024 | Mystik Dan2:03.34 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing (Brent Gasaway), Daniel Hamby III, Valley View Farm |
| 2023 | Mage2:01.57 | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado | OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH |
| 2022 | Rich Strike2:02.61 | Sonny Leon | Eric Reed | RED TR-Racing |
| 2021 | Mandaloun2:01.02 | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox | Juddmonte |
| 2020 | Authentic2:00.61 | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert | Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, Starlight Racing |
| 2019 | Country House2:03.93 | Flavien Prat | William I. Mott | Mrs. J.V. Shields Jr., E. J. M. McFadden Jr., LNJ Foxwoods |
| 2018 | Justify2:04.20 | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming2:03.59 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | MeB Racing, Brooklyn Boyz, Teresa Viola, St. Elias, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds |
| 2016 | Nyquist2:01.31 | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | Reddam Racing |
| 2015 | American Pharoah2:03.02 | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Zayat Stables |
| 2014 | California Chrome2:03.66 | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | Steve Coburn & Perry Martin |
| 2013 | Orb2:02.89 | Joel Rosario | Claude McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III, Phipps Stable |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another2:01.83 | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | Reddam Racing |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom2:02.04 | John Velazquez | Graham Motion | Team Valor International |
| 2010 | Super Saver2:04.45 | Calvin Borel | Todd Pletcher | WinStar Farm |
| 2009 | Calvin Borel | |||
| 2009 | Mine That Bird2:02.66 | Calvin Borel | Bennie Woolley Jr. | Double Eagle Ranch, Buena Suerte Equine |
| 2008 | Big Brown2:01.82 | Kent Desormeaux | Rick Dutrow Jr. | IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr. |
| 2007 | Street Sense2:02.17 | Calvin Borel | Carl Nafzger | Jim Tafel |
| 2006 | Barbaro2:01.36 | Edgar Prado | Michael Matz | Lael Stables |
| 2005 | Giacomo2:02.75 | Mike Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones2:04.06 | Stewart Elliott | John Servis | Someday Farm |
| 2003 | Funny Cide2:01.19 | José Santos | Barclay Tagg | Sackatoga Stable |
| 2002 | War Emblem2:01.13 | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. |
| 2001 | Monarchos1:59.97 | Jorge Chavez | John Ward Jr. | John Oxley |
| 2000 | Fusaichi Pegasus2:01.00 | Kent Desormeaux | Neil Drysdale | Fusao Sekiguchi |
| 1999 | Charismatic2:03.20 | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis |
| 1998 | Real Quiet2:02.20 | Kent Desormeaux | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram |
| 1997 | Silver Charm2:02.40 | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | Bob & Beverly Lewis |
| 1996 | Grindstone2:01.00 | Jerry Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm |
| 1995 | Thunder Gulch2:01.20 | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor |
| 1994 | Go for Gin2:03.60 | Chris McCarron | Nick Zito | Bill Condren, Joe Cornacchia |
| 1993 | Jerry Bailey | |||
| 1993 | Sea Hero2:02.40 | Jerry Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stables |
| 1992 | Lil E. Tee2:03.04 | Pat Day | Lynn Whiting | Cal Partee |
| 1991 | Strike the Gold2:03.00 | Chris Antley | Nick Zito | Bill Condren, Joe Cornacchia, B. Giles Brophy |
| 1990 | Unbridled2:02.00 | Craig Perret | Carl Nafzger | Frances A. Genter Stable |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence2:05.00 | Pat Valenzuela | Charlie Whittingham | H-G-W Partners |
| 1988 | Winning Colors2:02.20 | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene Klein |
| 1987 | Alysheba2:03.40 | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg | Dorothy & Pamela Scharbauer |
| 1986 | Ferdinand2:02.80 | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Elizabeth Keck |
| 1985 | Spend a Buck2:00.20 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Cam Gambolati | Hunter Farm |
| 1984 | Swale2:02.40 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Woody Stephens | Claiborne Farm |
| 1983 | Sunny's Halo2:02.20 | Eddie Delahoussaye | David Cross Jr. | D.J. Foster Racing Stable |
| 1982 | Gato Del Sol2:02.40 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Edwin Gregson | Arthur B. Hancock III, Leone J. Peters |
| 1981 | Pleasant Colony2:02.00 | Jorge Velásquez | John Campo | Buckland Farm |
| 1980 | Genuine Risk2:02.00 | Jacinto Vásquez | LeRoy Jolley | Diana M. Firestone |
| 1979 | Spectacular Bid2:02.40 | Ronnie Franklin | Bud Delp | Hawksworth Farm |
| 1978 | Affirmed2:01.20 | Steve Cauthen | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew2:02.20 | Jean Cruguet | Billy Turner Jr. | Karen Taylor |
| 1976 | Bold Forbes2:01.60 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Laz Barrera | E. Rodriguez Tizol |
| 1975 | Foolish Pleasure2:02.00 | Jacinto Vásquez | LeRoy Jolley | John Greer |
| 1974 | Cannonade2:04.00 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Woody Stephens | John Olin |
| 1973 | Secretariat1:59.40 | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable |
| 1972 | Riva Ridge2:01.80 | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable |
| 1971 | Canonero II2:03.20 | Gustavo Ávila | Juan Arias | Edgar Caibett |
| 1970 | Dust Commander2:03.40 | Mike Manganello | Don Combs | Robert E. Lehmann |
| 1969 | Majestic Prince2:01.80 | Bill Hartack | Johnny Longden | Frank McMahon |
| 1968 | Forward Pass2:02.20 | Ismael Valenzuela | Henry Forrest | Calumet Farm |
| 1967 | Proud Clarion2:00.60 | Bobby Ussery | Loyd Gentry Jr. | Darby Dan Farm |
| 1966 | Don Brumfield | |||
| 1966 | Kauai King2:02.00 | Don Brumfield | Henry Forrest | Ford Stable |
| 1965 | Lucky Debonair2:01.20 | Bill Shoemaker | Frank Catrone | Ada Rice |
| 1964 | Northern Dancer2:00.00 | Bill Hartack | Horatio Luro | Windfields Farm |
| 1963 | Chateaugay2:01.80 | Braulio Baeza | James P. Conway | Darby Dan Farm |
| 1962 | Decidedly2:00.40 | Bill Hartack | Horatio Luro | El Peco Ranch |
| 1961 | Carry Back2:04.00 | Johnny Sellers | Jack Price | Katherine Price |
| 1960 | Venetian Way2:02.40 | Bill Hartack | Victor Sovinski | Sunny Blue Farm |
| 1959 | Tomy Lee2:02.20 | Bill Shoemaker | Frank Childs | Fred & Juliette Turner Jr. |
| 1958 | Tim Tam2:05.00 | Ismael Valenzuela | Jimmy Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1957 | Iron Liege2:02.20 | Bill Hartack | Jimmy Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1956 | Needles2:03.40 | David Erb | Hugh Fontaine | D & H Stable |
| 1955 | Swaps2:01.80 | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex Ellsworth |
| 1954 | Determine2:03.00 | Raymond York | William Molter | Andy Crevolin |
| 1953 | Dark Star2:02.00 | Henry Moreno | Eddie Hayward | Cain Hoy Stable |
| 1952 | Eddie Arcaro | Ben Jones | Calumet Farm | |
| 1952 | Hill Gail2:01.60 | Eddie Arcaro | Ben Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1951 | Count Turf2:02.60 | Conn McCreary | Sol Rutchick | Jack Amiel |
| 1950 | Bill Boland | |||
| 1950 | Middleground2:01.60 | William Boland | Max Hirsch | King Ranch |
| 1949 | Ponder2:04.20 | Steve Brooks | Ben Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1948 | Citation2:05.40 | Eddie Arcaro | Ben Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1947 | Jet Pilot2:06.80 | Eric Guerin | Tom Smith | Maine Chance Farm |
| 1946 | Assault2:06.60 | Warren Mehrtens | Max Hirsch | King Ranch |
| 1945 | Hoop Jr.2:07.00 | Eddie Arcaro | Ivan Parke | Fred Hooper |
| 1944 | Pensive2:04.20 | Conn McCreary | Ben Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1943 | Count Fleet2:04.00 | Johnny Longden | Don Cameron | Fannie Hertz |
| 1942 | Shut Out2:04.40 | Wayne Wright | John Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1941 | Whirlaway2:01.40 | Eddie Arcaro | Ben Jones | Calumet Farm |
| 1940 | Gallahadion2:05.00 | Carroll Bierman | Roy Waldron | Milky Way Farm |
| 1939 | Johnstown2:03.40 | James Stout | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud |
| 1938 | Lawrin2:04.80 | Eddie Arcaro | Ben Jones | Woolford Farm |
| 1937 | War Admiral2:03.20 | Charley Kurtsinger | George Conway | Glen Riddle Farms |
| 1936 | Bold Venture2:03.60 | Ira Hanford | Max Hirsch | Morton Schwartz |
| 1935 | Omaha2:05.00 | Willie Saunders | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud |
| 1934 | Cavalcade2:04.00 | Mack Garner | Bob Smith | Brookmeade Stable |
| 1933 | Don Meade | Herbert J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley | |
| 1933 | Brokers Tip2:06.80 | Don Meade | Herbert J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley |
| 1932 | Burgoo King2:05.20 | Eugene James | Herbert J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley |
| 1931 | Twenty Grand2:01.80 | Charley Kurtsinger | James Rowe Jr. | Greentree Stable |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox2:07.60 | Earl Sande | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud |
| 1929 | Clyde Van Dusen2:10.8 | Linus McAtee | Clyde Van Dusen | Herbert Gardner |
| 1928 | Reigh Count2:10.40 | Chick Lang | Bert Michell | Fannie Hertz |
| 1927 | Whiskery2:06.00 | Linus McAtee | Fred Hopkins | Harry Payne Whitney |
| 1926 | Bubbling Over2:03.80 | Albert Johnson | Herbert J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley (Idle Hour Stock Farm) |
| 1925 | Flying Ebony2:07.60 | Earl Sande | William Duke | Gifford Cochran |
| 1924 | Black Gold2:05.20 | John Mooney | Hanley Webb | Rosa Hoots |
| 1923 | Zev2:05.40 | Earl Sande | David Leary | Rancocas Stable |
| 1922 | Morvich2:04.60 | Albert Johnson | Fred Burlew | Ben Block |
| 1921 | Behave Yourself2:04.20 | Charles Thompson | Herbert J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley |
| 1920 | Paul Jones2:09.00 | Ted Rice | William Garth | Ral Parr |
| 1919 | Sir Barton2:09.80 | Johnny Loftus | H. Guy Bedwell | J. K. L. Ross |
| 1918 | Exterminator2:10.80 | Willie Knapp | Henry McDaniel | Willis Sharpe Kilmer |
| 1917 | Omar Khayyam2:04.60 | Charles Borel | Charles T. Patterson | C.K.G. Billings, Frederick Johnson |
| 1916 | George Smith2:04.00 | Johnny Loftus | Hollie Hughes | John Sanford |
| 1915 | Regret2:05.40 | Joe Notter | James Rowe Sr. | Harry Payne Whitney |
| 1914 | Old Rosebud2:03.40 | John McCabe | Frank Weir | Hamilton Applegate |
| 1913 | Donerail2:04.80 | Roscoe Goose | Thomas P. Hayes | Thomas P. Hayes |
| 1912 | Worth2:09.40 | Carroll Shilling | Frank Taylor | Harry Hallenbeck |
| 1911 | Meridian2:05.00 | George Archibald | Albert Ewing | Richard F. Carman |
| 1910 | Donau2:06.40 | Frederick Herbert | George Ham | William Gerst |
| 1909 | Wintergreen2:08.20 | Vincent Powers | Charles Mack | Jerome B. Respess |
| 1908 | Stone Street2:15.20 | Arthur Pickens | John Hall | C. E. & J. W. Hamilton |
| 1907 | Pink Star2:12.60 | Andy Minder | William H. Fizer | J. Hal Woodford |
| 1906 | Sir Huon2:08.80 | Roscoe Troxler | Peter Coyne | Bashford Manor Stable |
| 1905 | Agile2:10.75 | Jack Martin | Robert Tucker | Samuel S. Brown |
| 1904 | Elwood2:08.50 | Shorty Prior | Charles Durnell | Laska Durnell |
| 1903 | Judge Himes2:09.00 | Harold Booker | John P. Mayberry | Charles R. Ellison |
| 1902 | Alan-a-Dale2:08.75 | Jimmy Winkfield | Thomas Clay McDowell | Thomas Clay McDowell |
| 1901 | His Eminence2:07.75 | Jimmy Winkfield | Frank B. Van Meter | Frank B. Van Meter |
| 1900 | Lieut. Gibson2:06.25 | Jimmy Boland | Charles Hughes | Charles H. Smith |
| 1899 | Manuel2:12.00 | Fred Taral | Robert Walden | A. H. & D. H. Morris |
| 1898 | Plaudit2:09.00 | Willie Simms | John E. Madden | John E. Madden |
| 1897 | Typhoon II2:12.50 | Buttons Garner | Julius C. Cahn | Julius C. Cahn |
| 1896 | Ben Brush2:07.75 | Willie Simms | Hardy Campbell | Mike F. Dwyer |
| 1895 | Halma2:37.50 | James Perkins | Byron McClelland | Byron McClelland |
| 1894 | Chant2:41.00 | Frank Goodale | Eugene Leigh | Eugene Leigh, Robert Rose |
| 1893 | Lookout2:39.25 | Eddie Kunze | William McDaniel | J.E. Cushin, J. Orth |
| 1892 | Azra2:41.50 | Alonzo Clayton | John Morris | Bashford Manor Stable |
| 1891 | Kingman2:52.25 | Isaac Murphy | Dudley Allen | Jacobin Stable |
| 1890 | Riley2:45.00 | Isaac Murphy | Edward Corrigan | Edward Corrigan |
| 1889 | Spokane2:34.50 | Thomas Kiley | John Rodegap | Noah Armstrong |
| 1888 | Macbeth II2:38.25 | George Covington | John Campbell | Chicago Stable |
| 1887 | Montrose2:39.25 | Isaac Lewis | John McGinty | Labold Brothers |
| 1886 | Ben Ali2:36.50 | Paul Duffy | Jim Murphy | James B. Haggin |
| 1885 | Joe Cotton2:37.25 | Erskine Henderson | Abraham Perry | James T. Williams |
| 1884 | Isaac Murphy | |||
| 1884 | Buchanan2:40.25 | Isaac Murphy | William Bird | William Cottrill, Sam S. Brown |
| 1883 | Leonatus2:43.00 | William Donohue | Raleigh Colston Sr. | Jack P. Chinn, George Morgan |
| 1882 | Apollo2:40.25 | Babe Hurd | Green B. Morris | Green B. Morris, James D. Patton |
| 1881 | Hindoo2:40.00 | Jim McLaughlin | James Rowe Sr. | Dwyer Brothers |
| 1880 | Fonso2:37.50 | George Lewis | Tice Hutsell | J.S. Shawhan |
| 1879 | Lord Murphy2:37.00 | Charlie Shauer | George Rice | George W. Darden & Co. |
| 1878 | Day Star2:37.25 | Jimmy Carter | Lee Paul | Thomas J. Nichols |
| 1877 | Baden-Baden2:38.00 | Billy Walker | Ed Brown | Daniel Swigert |
| 1876 | Vagrant2:38.25 | Robert Swim | James Williams | William Astor Jr. |
| 1875 | Aristides2:37.75 | Oliver Lewis | Ansel Williamson | Hal Price McGrath |
161 of the 161 runnings name the rider, 155 name the trainer and 154 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to.
Who wins the Kentucky Derby more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
No horse has won the Kentucky Derby twice in the 161 runnings on this page.
Most wins by a trainer
Races worth about the same
Either side of the Kentucky Derby in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The EverestRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | $14,074,074$14.1m | AU$20,000,000 |
| 2 | Dubai World CupMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $12,000,000$12.0m | $12,000,000 |
| 3 | Japan CupTokyo Racecourse | Japan | $7,306,488$7.3m | ¥1,090,000,000 |
| 5 | Melbourne CupFlemington Racecourse | Australia | $7,037,037$7.0m | AU$10,000,000 |
| 6 | Breeders' Cup ClassicNorth America | United States | $7,000,000$7.0m | $7,000,000 |
| 7 | Dubai Sheema ClassicMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $6,000,000$6.0m | $6,000,000 |
| 8 | Dubai TurfMeydan Racecourse | United Arab Emirates | $6,000,000$6.0m | $6,000,000 |
| 9 | Prix de l'Arc de TriompheLongchamp Racecourse | France | $5,683,761$5.7m | €5,000,000 |
| 11 | Hong Kong CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $5,054,000$5.1m | HK$40,000,000 |
| 12 | Breeders' Cup TurfNorth America | United States | $5,000,000$5.0m | $5,000,000 |
| 15 | Hong Kong MileSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $4,043,200$4.0m | HK$32,000,000 |
| 16 | Queen Elizabeth II CupSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $3,790,500$3.8m | HK$30,000,000 |
| 17 | Caulfield CupCaulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia | Australia | $3,518,519$3.5m | AU$5,000,000 |
| 18 | Golden Slipper StakesRosehill Gardens Racecourse | Australia | $3,518,519$3.5m | AU$5,000,000 |
| 20 | Nashville DerbyKentucky Downs | United States | $3,500,000$3.5m | $3,500,000 |
| 21 | Hong Kong SprintSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $3,285,100$3.3m | HK$26,000,000 |
| 22 | Hong Kong DerbySha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $3,032,400$3.0m | HK$24,000,000 |
| 23 | Hong Kong VaseSha Tin Racecourse | Hong Kong | $3,032,400$3.0m | HK$24,000,000 |
| 24 | Pegasus World Cup Invitational StakesGulfstream Park | United States | $3,000,000$3.0m | $3,000,000 |
| 25 | Doncaster HandicapRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | $2,814,815$2.8m | AU$4,000,000 |
The 20 races closest to the Kentucky Derby in what they pay, above and below it. Follow the ranking all the way up on the richest races in the world.
The rest of the money in the United States
196 races, 3rd of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select Stakes | Monmouth Park Racetrack | Ungraded stakes | $60,000 |
| Whirl Stakes | Empire City Race Track, Yonkers, New York, | $4,000 | |
| Breeders' Cup Classic | North America | Grade I | $7,000,000$7.0m |
| Breeders' Cup Turf | North America | Grade I | $5,000,000$5.0m |
| Nashville Derby | Kentucky Downs | Grade II | $3,500,000$3.5m |
| Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes | Gulfstream Park | Grade I | $3,000,000$3.0m |
| Belmont Stakes | Belmont Park | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
| Breeders' Cup Distaff | North America | Grade I | $2,000,000$2.0m |
Every race in the United States we hold a purse for is on the United States prize money list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total Kentucky Derby prize money?
$5,000,000.
Where does the Kentucky Derby rank among the richest races in the world?
13th of 997. 12 races pay more, the nearest of them The Everest. In the United States it is 3rd of 196.
Which jockey has won the Kentucky Derby most often?
Eddie Arcaro, with 6 wins between 1938 and 1952.
When was the Kentucky Derby first run?
This page holds 161 runnings, from 1875 to 2026.
How far is the Kentucky Derby?
1 1/4 miles, on dirt, at Churchill Downs.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money