This Saturday we are hosting our always-popular Run for the Roses event here at Bishops Bay, and we thought it was a good time to check out some highlights from last year and learn a few fun facts you may not know about the most exciting two minutes in sports. Click here to register for the event if you haven’t already!

The First Derby Was Run in 1875
The Kentucky Derby was first held on May 17, 1875, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fifteen three-year-old Thoroughbreds raced before a crowd of about 10,000 spectators. The winner of the very first Derby was a horse named Aristides, ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis.

It Is the Longest Continuously-Run Sporting Event in the United States
Even through world wars, economic downturns, and the pandemic, the Derby has never missed a year, making it the longest-running annual sporting event in American history. The second-longest is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which began in 1877, just two years after the first Derby.

It Is Often Called “The Run for the Roses”
The winner of the Derby is draped with a blanket of more than 500 red roses, a tradition that has helped earn the race its famous nickname. The tradition’s roots started in 1883, when roses were presented to ladies at a Derby party; the flower became so associated with the event that by 1904, the red rose was designated as the official flower of the Kentucky Derby.

The Mint Julep Has Been the Traditional Drink Since 1938
Today, nearly 120,000 mint juleps are served at Churchill Downs during Derby weekend, made with bourbon, mint, and simple syrup. The mint julep itself has much older roots, originating in the southern United States as early as the 18th century. It was initially a medicinal drink before becoming a symbol of Southern hospitality.

The Fastest Time Ever Recorded Was by Secretariat in 1973
Secretariat completed the 1¼ mile race in just 1 minute, 59.4 seconds—a record that still stands today.

The Derby Was Originally Longer
When it was first run, the Kentucky Derby stretched for 1½ miles. In 1896, it was shortened to its current distance of 1¼ miles to better align with the standards of American racing at the time.

It Is the First Leg of the Triple Crown
The Kentucky Derby is the first of three races that make up the Triple Crown of horse racing, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Only 13 horses in history have won all three races in a single season.

Fashion Is a Big Part of the Tradition
Wearing extravagant hats and colorful outfits has been a Derby tradition since the early 1900s. The fashion was inspired by the original vision of Derby founder Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who wanted the event to rival the sophistication and social scene of European horse races like those at Epsom Downs in England. Clark encouraged attendees to dress in their finest to elevate the race’s prestige.