History and the Making of the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby was first founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr, in 1870, but not until 1875 was the first race held. He named the racing grounds, Churchill Downs, after Lewis’ relatives, John and Henry Churchill who provided the land for the race track. It was discovered very quickly that the race brought in a lot of money and proved success for Clark.
The Kentucky Derby is the oldest, continuous sporting event in the United States. Also being the second oldest horse race in the United States, the Kentucky Derby is one of three races in the Triple Crown, A series of three races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, that is run annually by a group of three year old thoroughbred horses. Thoroughbreds are best known for their use in horse racing and are considered a "hot blooded” horse, because of their agility, speed and spirit. These horses started racing in 1174 in England. These horses are worth a lot of money in the horse racing buisness, normally selling for millions. The highest paid amount of money for a race horse was "The Green Monkey," a 2 year old colt in 2006. He sold for 16 million dollars.
The Kentucky Derby is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings (boy horses) carry 126 pounds and fillies (girl horses) carry 121 pounds. The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" because of the time that these horses race in. The time of most winning horses clocks in somewhere around 2 minutes. The lowest time in history for a derby winner was 1 minute, 59 seconds ran by Secretariat. Click on the link to see the race won by Secretariat, who still holds the world record. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CszYzS8_bI8


The very first Kentucky Derby was held on the day of May 17th, 1875 in front of an estimated 10,000 horse race fans. Consisting of a field of 15, 3 year old horses running a mile and a half, the distance it would be run until it was changed to the current mile and a quarter in 1896. The race was won by the 3 year old chestnut colt, Aristides, who ran the fast track in 2 minutes 37 and three quarter seconds earning its owner, Hal Price McGrath, the first Kentucky Derby prize of $2,850.

Traditions Play a Big Role in the Derby!

THE BLANKET OF 554 ROSES AWARDED TO THE WINNER EACH YEAR
MILLIONAIRE'S ROW
THE FAMOUS MINT JULEP
HUGH HEPHNER AND THE 'GIRLS' HAVE A GREAT TIME AT THE DERBY, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER CELEBS!

Black in the Saddle

White people are not the only ones that are successful at horse racing, and as a matter of fact blacks were a lot of the times higher placed than whites, in the early years of the Derby. The accomplishments of African-American derby riders and trainers in the early years of the sport are often forgotten, but in the years between the Civil War and the turn of the century, blacks were very influential. Between 1875 and 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 of the 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. On May 11, 1892, African-American jockey Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton, age 15, became the youngest rider to win the Derby, and in the first Kentucky Derby Aristides was trained by African-American Ansel Williamson and guided to victory by Oliver Lewis, one of 15 black jockeys in that race.

The Kentucky Derby's Impact and Reflection on American Society-Then and Now

Today, the Kentucky Derby has made quite an impact on society in the horse world, and even in professional sports world. It is a very popular and viewed sport, whether you watch it at home with the family, at the bar with friends, or at the real race itself, its tradition for many people. Stars have a big interest in horse racing as well. Also, the fashion has had a big impact on our society-People like to stand out and be noticed. That is exactly the fashion at races today too. The big hats, fancy hair and make-up, and nice dresses all plays into the look of the racing day. Another part of the tradition of horse racing that we still practice today is the bidding and the famous ‘Mint Julep.’ Bidding on horses was and still is today one of the most important parts of the sport. Mint Juleps are one of the bigger ways to make a profit because of the high pricing and the popularity. It is what many wealthy people do at a horse race today-Buy a mint julep before you go to your seats. It is a sign of wealth, as well as superiority.
As we know, the breed used in racing is a thoroughbred. Today the breeding of these horses has been impacted a great deal from the racetrack. Now days, instead of just breeding this horse for racing, they are also bred for other disciplines, like western, English, and many more, but still best known for horse racing, because of their speed and athleticism.
The Kentucky Derby has reflected American society in ways that other sports couldn’t have. It brought fame to people, and people to fame. It brought in money that was very much needed, especially in some of the tougher economic times that the world has seen. It brings fashion, labels, and elegance to American culture. Above all, it is a time for people to relax, have fun and watch the horses run their hearts out, doing something the rider and horse both have a passion for. The Derby started because of the good ideas and thinking’s of Lewis and Clark. They discovered the world of horse racing when they traveled to England to find that there was a derby there called, “The Epsom Derby.” They then brought theses ideas back and formed “The Kentucky Derby.” It is a sign of the times because it shows that when new things were discovered, they were put into play right away.