Kentucky Derby Facts
The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continually held sporting event in the United States.
About 10,000 people watched the first Kentucky Derby held on May 17, 1875. The winner of the first Derby was a three-year-old chestnut colt named Aristides. Owned by H.P. McGrath, Aristides was trained by Ansel Williamson, and ridden by Oliver Lewis.
Thirteen of the 15 riders in the first Kentucky Derby were African-American, while African-American riders won 15 of the Derby's first 28 runnings.
The red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby in 1904.
The first network television broadcast of the Kentucky Derby aired on May 3, 1952. It originated from Louisville, Kentucky based CBS affiliate WHAS.
The first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby was Diane Crump on May 2, 1970. No woman has ever ridden a Derby winner.
The Derby speed record was set by Secretariat, who broke the two-minute mark in 1973, and blazed the mile and a quarter distance in 1:59.4.
The largest Kentucky Derby field was achieved in 1973 when 23 horses ran in the race. The smallest field was only 3 horses, in 1892 and 1905 running of the race.