WEST VIRGINIA DERBY · UNITED STATES
West Virginia Derby prize money
The West Virginia Derby is worth $400,000 . That makes it the 241st richest of the 997 races on this site and the 104th 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 $400,000
WORLD RANK 241st
RUNNINGS HELD 57
FIRST RUN 1923
What the West Virginia Derby is
Grade III · miles (9 furlongs) · Dirt · Mountaineer Park
- Racecourse
- Mountaineer Park
- Country
- United States
- Grade
- Grade III
- Distance
- miles (9 furlongs)
- Surface
- Dirt
- Race type
- Thoroughbred - Flat racing
- Open to
- Three-year-olds
- Direction
- left-handed
- First run
- 1923
We hold the total fund for the West Virginia 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 1:52.47 in 2026, the West Virginia Derby pays $3,557 for every second of the race, which is 206th of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 112th in the United States.
Every West Virginia Derby winner
57 runnings, 1923 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Zihnal1:52.47 | John R. Velazquez | Jonathan Thomas | Augustin Stables | $400,000 |
| 2025 | Chunk of Gold1:50.97 | Jareth Loveberry | Ethan West | Terry L. Stephens | $400,000 |
| 2024 | Dragoon Guard1:49.96 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Juddmonte Farms | $500,000 |
| 2023 | Red Route One1:49.49 | Cristian Torres | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | $500,000 |
| 2022 | Skippylongstocking1:48.11 | Edwin Gonzalez | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Daniel Alonso | $500,000 |
| 2021 | Mr. Wireless1:52.49 | Ramon Vazquez | W. Bret Calhoun | JIL Stable | $500,000 |
| 2019 | Mr. Money1:50.28 | Gabriel Saez | W. Bret Calhoun | Allied Racing Stable | $500,000 |
| 2018 | Mr Freeze1:47.95 | Robby Albarado | Dale L. Romans | Jim Bakke & Gerald Isbister | $500,000 |
| 2017 | Colonelsdarktemper1:50.68 | Jon Court | William H. Fires | Anthony J. Foyt Jr. | $750,000 |
| 2016 | Cupid1:50.54 | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor | $750,000 |
| 2015 | Madefromlucky1:51.40 | Joe Bravo | Todd A. Pletcher | Cheyenne Stables & Mac Nichol | $750,000 |
| 2014 | Tapiture1:50.66 | Rosie Napravnik | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | $750,000 |
| 2013 | Departing1:51.47 | Robby Albarado | Albert Stall Jr. | Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider | $750,000 |
| 2012 | Macho Macho1:49.98 | Corey Nakatani | Steven M. Asmussen | Jerry Durant | $750,000 |
| 2011 | Prayer for Relief1:50.68 | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Gerry Aschinger | $750,000 |
| 2010 | Concord Point1:51.12 | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | $750,000 |
| 2009 | § Soul Warrior1:51.46 | Dale V. Beckner | Steven M. Asmussen | Zayat Stables | $750,000 |
| 2008 | Ready Set1:52.03 | Julien R. Leparoux | Michael R. Matz | Lael Stables | $750,000 |
| 2007 | Zanjero1:53.04 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | $750,000 |
| 2006 | Bright One1:50.08 | Mark Guidry | Dale L. Romans | Carolyn S. Bruder & Delmar Daubs | $750,000 |
| 2005 | Real Dandy1:50.29 | Mark Guidry | Steven M. Asmussen | Cathy & Bob Zollars | $750,000 |
| 2004 | Sir Shackleton1:49.16 | Rafael Bejarano | Nicholas P. Zito | Tracy Farmer | $600,000 |
| 2003 | Soto1:46.29 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Michael W. Dickinson | Galopp | $600,000 |
| 2002 | Wiseman's Ferry1:49.63 | Jorge F. Chavez | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Swifty Farm, Morton Fink & Lee Sacks | $600,000 |
| 2001 | Western Pride1:47.20 | Dana G. Whitney | Richard Estvanko | Theresa McArthur | $500,000 |
| 2000 | Mass Market1:49.94 | Rick Wilson | Benjamin W. Perkins Jr. | New Farm, Centennial Farm & William S. Farish III | $300,000 |
| 1999 | Stellar Brush1:49.02 | Joe Stokes | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | $250,000 |
| 1998 | Da Devil1:48.84 | Jon Court | Forrest Kaelin | David Hall, B. Case, C. Glasscock & B. Bleiden | $200,000 |
| 1990 | Challenge My Duty1:49.60 | Inocencio Becer Ayarza | Norman R. Pointer | William M. Rickman | $100,000 |
| 1989 | Doc's Leader1:50.00 | William I. Fox Jr. | Monte Clark | Mary Anne Loccissano | $100,000 |
| 1988 | Old Stories1:52.20 | Ruben Hernandez | Howard M. Tesher | Russell L. Reineman | $100,000 |
| 1981 | Park's Policy1:49.60 | Jeffrey Scott Lloyd | Clyde D. Rice | Parke L. Lietzel | $35,000 |
| 1980 | Summer Advocate1:50.80 | William L. Floyd | Michael B. Ball | Donald Ball | $50,000 |
| 1979 | Architect1:51.00 | Stanley Spencer | Harvey L. Vanier | Carl Lauer | $50,000 |
| 1978 | Beau Sham1:48.60 | Pat Day | Thomas E. Lunneen | Chet & Gerry Herringer | $50,000 |
| 1977 | § Best Person1:48.60 | Vincent Bracciale Jr. | Michael D. Tinker | W. Cal Partee | $50,000 |
| 1976 | Wardlaw1:47.60 | Jorge Enrique Tejeira | David R. Vance | Dan Lasater | $50,000 |
| 1975 | At The Front1:48.60 | Angel Santiago | John P. Campo | Buckland Farm | $50,000 |
| 1974 | Park Guard1:47.40 | Benny Feliciano | Jonathan E. Sheppard | Augustin Stable | $50,000 |
| 1973 | Blue Chip Dan1:49.20 | Mickey Solomone | George Getz | Phil Teinowitz | $32,200 |
| 1972 | Family Table1:50.60 | Mickey Solomone | George Getz | Phil Teinowitz | $20,000 |
| 1971 | Trico O'Erin1:52.20 | Thomas De Palo | Millard H. Harrell | Mrs. Joy Glassberg | $28,900 |
| 1970 | † Two Joy1:53.00 | Joseph Imparato | Jake Dodson | Audley Farms | $28,050 |
| 1969 | Roman Partner1:51.80 | Mickey Solomone | Kenneth W. Bright | James Livesay & Lou Kelley | $27,375 |
| 1968 | Chargertown1:54.40 | Raymond Nakama | A. O. Cleff | Mrs. Walter R. Kelly | $15,670 |
| 1967 | Miracle Hill1:53.20 | Robert Gallimore | Dewey Smith | T. Alie & James E. Grissom | $8,460 |
| 1966 | ƒ Kerensa1:50.40 | Floyd Green | Patsy Santo | Mrs. Horatio Luro | $8,420 |
| 1965 | Pantuity1:53.00 | Floyd Green | Patsy Santo | Andrew G. Smithers | $8,310 |
| 1964 | Peter Le Grand1:53.00 | Floyd Green | Patsy Santo | Mrs. Edward B. Seedhouse | $5,045 |
| 1963 | ƒ Etimota1:52.00 | Floyd Green | Patsy Santo | Mrs. Horatio Luro | $5,940 |
| 1961 | Dip and Whirl1:54.60 | Bernie Walt | Thurmond Gammon | Thurmond Gammon | $4,020 |
| 1959 | Redbird Wish1:52.80 | Wayne Chambers | Marion H. Van Berg | Marion H. Van Berg | $14,620 |
| 1958 | Sea Hymn1:55.20 | Jose Contraes | Ed Barerra | Circle K Farms | $15,000 |
| 1926 | Nine Sixty1:49.40 | Louis Pinchon | J. L. Brannon | Mrs. J. L. Brannon | $1,500 |
| 1925 | Belpre1:48.40 | Francis Horn | O. E. Pons | C. G. Talbutt | $1,500 |
| 1924 | ƒ Norah1:54.60 | Willy Martin | Charles H. Smith | Charles H. Smith | $1,500 |
| 1923 | Tender Seth1:54.60 | Willy Fronk | H. Cavanaugh | E. C. Knebelkamp | $2,265 |
57 of the 57 runnings name the rider, 57 name the trainer and 57 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to. 57 carry the total prize money for that year, converted here the same way the purse above is.
What the West Virginia Derby has paid, season by season
Total prize money, 1923 to 2026
$2,265 23
$1,500 24
$1,500 25
$1,500 26
$15k 58
$15k 59
$4,020 61
$5,940 63
$5,045 64
$8,310 65
$8,420 66
$8,460 67
$16k 68
$27k 69
$28k 70
$29k 71
$20k 72
$32k 73
$50k 74
$50k 75
$50k 76
$50k 77
$50k 78
$50k 79
$50k 80
$35k 81
$100k 88
$100k 89
$100k 90
$200k 98
$250k 99
$300k 00
$500k 01
$600k 02
$600k 03
$600k 04
$750k 05
$750k 06
$750k 07
$750k 08
$750k 09
$750k 10
$750k 11
$750k 12
$750k 13
$750k 14
$750k 15
$750k 16
$750k 17
$500k 18
$500k 19
$500k 21
$500k 22
$500k 23
$500k 24
$400k 25
$400k 26
The total prize money went from $2,265 in 1923 to $400,000 in 2026, 176.6 times more. Every year is converted at today's rate, so the line is the money the race puts up rather than the money the exchange rate did.
Who wins the West Virginia Derby more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
No horse has won the West Virginia Derby twice in the 57 runnings on this page.
Most wins by a trainer
Races worth about the same
Either side of the West Virginia Derby in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 231 | Gamely StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 232 | Hollywood DerbyDel Mar racetrack | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 233 | Lafayette StakesKeeneland Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 234 | Lexington Stakes (Keeneland)Keeneland Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 235 | Matt Winn StakesChurchill Downs | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 236 | National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame StakesSaratoga Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 237 | Oklahoma DerbyRemington Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 238 | Penn Mile StakesPenn National Race Course | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 239 | San Felipe StakesSanta Anita Park | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 240 | Tampa Bay DerbyTampa Bay Downs | United States | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| 243 | Grande Course de Haies d'AuteuilAuteuil Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 244 | Prix de l'Abbaye de LongchampLongchamp Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 245 | Prix de la ForêtLongchamp Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 246 | Prix MornyDeauville Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 247 | Prix Royal-OakLongchamp Racecourse | France | $397,863 | €350,000 |
| 249 | Breeders' StakesWoodbine Racetrack | Canada | $356,972 | CA$500,000 |
| 250 | A D Hollindale StakesGold Coast Racecourse | Australia | $351,852 | AU$500,000 |
| 251 | AJC St LegerRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | $351,852 | AU$500,000 |
| 252 | Alister Clark StakesCaulfield or Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne | Australia | $351,852 | AU$500,000 |
| 253 | Bendigo CupBendigo Racecourse, Bendigo, Australia | Australia | $351,852 | AU$500,000 |
The 20 races closest to the West Virginia 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, 104th of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Derby | Remington Park | Grade III | $400,000 |
| Penn Mile Stakes | Penn National Race Course | Grade III | $400,000 |
| San Felipe Stakes | Santa Anita Park | Grade II | $400,000 |
| Tampa Bay Derby | Tampa Bay Downs | Grade III | $400,000 |
| Perryville Stakes | Keeneland Race Course | Grade III | $350,000 |
| American Oaks | Santa Anita Park | Grade 1 | $300,000 |
| American Pharoah Stakes | Santa Anita Park | Grade I | $300,000 |
| Del Mar Debutante Stakes | Del Mar Racetrack | Grade I | $300,000 |
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 West Virginia Derby prize money?
$400,000.
Where does the West Virginia Derby rank among the richest races in the world?
241st of 997. 240 races pay more, the nearest of them Gamely Stakes. In the United States it is 104th of 196.
Which jockey has won the West Virginia Derby most often?
Floyd Green, with 4 wins between 1963 and 1966.
When was the West Virginia Derby first run?
1923. This page holds 57 runnings, from 1923 to 2026.
How far is the West Virginia Derby?
miles (9 furlongs), on dirt, at Mountaineer Park.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money