Kentucky Derby winners list by year: A complete list of winners through the years

Kentucky Derby winners list by year: A complete list of winners through the years

Helix Odhiambo
updated at May 17, 2024 at 8:19 PM

The Kentucky Derby is among the most storied sports in the United States. The legendary horse race is acknowledged for its long, colourful history and traditions, attracting fans and enthusiasts globally. It is also the oldest sporting event in the US. We break down the Kentucky Derby winners list by year, including some facts about the competition.

Kentucky Derby winners list by year
Jockeys riding horses (L) during the Kentucky Derby on 4 May 2024. Jockeys and horses (R) during the derby on 6 May 2023. Photo: Michael Reaves, Justin Casterline (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

The annual horse race began in 1875, featuring 3-year-old thoroughbreds and jockeys. Twenty horses compete for around two minutes on a 2 km (11⁄4 miles) track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The derby generates millions through investments, and the winner receives a hefty cheque.

Kentucky Derby winners list by year

Who won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875? According to multiple credible sources, such as USA Today and Triple Crown Races, Oliver Lewis was the first to win the famous derby on 17 May 1875.

Jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. and Mystik Dan
Jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr., on top of Mystik Dan, celebrates after winning the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on 4 May 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Rob Carr
Source: Getty Images

The African American jockey won the race with the Aristides horse, trained by Ansel Williamson. On 4 May 2024, Jockey Brian Hernadez Jr., with his horse, Mystik Dan, won the latest and 150th edition of the event.

Here is a list of Kentucky Derby winners in the last 30 years, featuring the horse and jockey. We have arranged the derby winners list in order of the years.

Year

Horse

Jockey

2024

Mystik Dan

Brian Hernadez Jr.

2023

Mage

Javier Castellano

2022

Rich Strike

Sonny Leon

2021

Mandaloun

Florent Geroux

2020

Authentic

John Velazquez

2019

Country House

Flavien Prat

2018

Justify

Mike E. Smith

2017

Always Dreaming

John Velazquez

2016

Nyquist

Mario Gutierrez

2015

American Pharoah

Victor Espinoza

2014

California Chrome

Victor Espinoza

2013

Orb

Joel Rosario

2012

I'll Have Another

Mario Gutierrez

2011

Animal Kingdom

John Velazquez

2010

Super Saver

Calvin Borel

2009

Mine That Bird

Calvin Borel

2008

Big Brown

Kent Desormeaux

2007

Street Sense

Calvin Borel

2006

Barbaro

Edgar Prado

2005

Giacomo

Mike E. Smith

2004

Smarty Jones

Stewart Elliott

2003

Funny Cide

Jose Santos

2002

War Emblem

Victor Espinoza

2001

Monarchos

Jorge F. Chavez

2000

Fusaichi Pegasus

Kent Desormeaux

1999

Charismatic

Chris Antley

1998

Real Quiet

Kent Desormeaux

1997

Silver Charm

Gary Stevens

1996

Grindstone

Jerry Bailey

1995

Thunder Gulch

Gary Stevens

1994

Go for Gin

Chris McCarron

Kentucky Derby winners in the last 10 years

No horse has ever won the horse race twice, but some jockeys and trainers have bagged it multiple times. Only two jockeys, John Velazquez and Victor Espinoza, have won it twice in the last decade.

Kentucky Derby winners in the last 20 years

Thirteen jockeys have won the prestigious event in the past two decades. John Velazquez and Calvin Borel have bagged it thrice, while Mike E. Smith, Mario Gutierrez, and Victor Espinoza have won it twice each. No horse or trainer has won it multiple times in the last 20 years.

Past Kentucky Derby winners by post position

Past Kentucky Derby winners by post position
Horses break from the gate during an undercard race at Churchill Downs on 3 May 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images

The event's officials introduced the post positions in 1930. Post positions refer to the gate number where a horse begins. There are 20 post positions for participants, and the No.5 post has had the most winners (10). According to NBCDFW, here is the performance of every position, including their starts and last winners, as of May 2024.

Position

Wins

Starts

Last winner

No.1

8

95

1986

No.2

7

95

1978

No.3

6

95

2024

No.4

5

95

2010

No.5

10

95

2017

No.6

2

95

1993

No.7

8

94

2021

No.8

9

94

2023

No.9

4

91

1972

No.10

9

88

2005

No.11

2

84

1988

No.12

3

80

1971

No.13

5

78

2016

No.14

2

68

1961

No.15

6

63

2020

No.16

4

52

2011

No.17

0

45

-

No.18

2

37

2019

No.19

1

31

2012

No.20

2

19

2022

Trivia

The list of Kentucky Derby winners by year features legendary horses and jockeys. Sir Barton, Aristides, and Secretariat are famous Kentucky Derby winners. Their horses entertained audiences and won the hearts of fans and enthusiasts. Here are some questions about the Kentucky Derby.

Who is the greatest winner of the Kentucky Derby?

Who is the greatest winner of the Kentucky Derby?
American horse racing jockeys Eddie Arcaro (L) and Bill Hartack (R) pose for a photo on 1 January 1960. They are the only jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby five times. Photo: Robert Riger
Source: Getty Images

Jockeys Bill Hartack and Eddie Arcaro share the record for the most victories (five). Only two horses crossed the line in under two minutes: Monarchos in 2001 (1:59.97) and Secretariat in 1973 (1:59.40).

Who won the most money from the Kentucky Derby?

The event organisers raised the 2024 purse to $5 million, the most in the competition's history. According to 11 Alive, the amount was distributed among the top five finishers as follows:

Position

Money Awarded

1st Place

$3.1 million

2nd Place

$1 million

3rd Place

$500,000

4th Place

$250,000

5th Place

$150,000

Final word

Kentucky Derby winners list by year comprises legendary horses and jockeys who left a mark in the sport. The event continues to attract millions of people and investors.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.
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Horse racing