The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious horse race in the United States and the first leg of American Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The 152nd running takes place on Saturday 2 May 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with an approximate post time of 6:57pm ET. Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, the Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run over one and a quarter miles on dirt.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I flat race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. First run in 1875, it is the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the United States, predating both the modern Olympic Games and the football World Cup.
The race is the opening leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. To qualify, horses must accumulate points through a series of designated prep races known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby. A maximum field of 20 runners contests the race over ten furlongs on Churchill Downs’ dirt track.
The Derby has transcended sport to become a major cultural event. Derby Day attracts celebrities, fashion, and pageantry, with the mint julep serving as the race’s signature cocktail and elaborate hats a longstanding tradition in the grandstand.
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday 2 May 2026. Derby Week racing begins on Saturday 25 April, building through a full week of preparatory races and social events.
Key dates include:
- Saturday 25 April: Opening Day of the Spring Meet. Gates open at 11:30am ET, first race at 12:45pm ET.
- Friday 1 May: Kentucky Oaks (the premier race for three-year-old fillies). Post time 8:40pm ET.
- Saturday 2 May: Kentucky Derby Day. Gates open at 9:00am ET, first race at 11:00am ET, Derby post time approximately 6:57pm ET.
Where is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs, located at 700 Central Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. The historic track, distinguished by its iconic Twin Spires, has hosted the Derby since 1875 and occupies 147 acres featuring a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf course.
Churchill Downs has a grandstand capacity of approximately 60,000, but on Derby Day the infield is opened, bringing total attendance to around 150,000 to 170,000, making it one of the largest single-day sporting events in North America. Louisville is served by Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, located approximately five miles from the track.
Key Contenders
The 2026 Kentucky Derby field is taking shape through the Road to the Derby series. Early co-favourites include Paladin and Chief Wallabee, both at 8/1. Paladin has won all three of his career starts, including an impressive victory in the Risen Star Stakes in February 2026. Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott, placed in all three of his starts but saw his form dip slightly when finishing third in the Florida Derby over nine furlongs.
Commandment and Nearly sit at 12/1, with Renegade close behind at 13/1. The picture will become clearer as the major prep races, including the Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Wood Memorial, are completed in April.
The defending champion is Sovereignty, who won the 2025 Derby at 18/1 under jockey Junior Alvarado, delivering a first Derby victory for the Godolphin racing operation. Mystik Dan won the 150th edition in 2024 in one of the closest finishes in decades.
How to Watch the Kentucky Derby
United States: NBC provides the primary broadcast, with coverage beginning at 2:30pm ET on NBC and Peacock. Earlier undercard races are shown on USA Network and FanDuel TV. The race is also available on streaming services that carry NBC, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Sling TV. SiriusXM provides radio coverage on NBC Sports Audio (channel 85).
United Kingdom and Ireland: Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV both broadcast the Kentucky Derby live. Racing TV International is available by subscription for viewers in Ireland.
Australia: Kayo Sports streams the race live, with coverage typically starting around 8:57am AEST on the Sunday morning.
International: The Kentucky Derby is broadcast in over 170 territories worldwide. Regional broadcasters include ESPN and Disney+ (South America and Caribbean), Viaplay (pan-European), SuperSport (Africa), FanCode (India), Netkeiba (Japan), and CityTV (Canada).
History and Records
The Kentucky Derby was inaugurated on 17 May 1875, when Aristides won before a crowd of approximately 10,000 at the Louisville Jockey Club, as Churchill Downs was then known. The race was modelled on the Epsom Derby in England by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr, who had attended the English classic and sought to create a comparable event in America.
Secretariat holds the race record of 1:59.40, set in 1973 on his way to a legendary Triple Crown sweep. Only two horses have ever broken the two-minute barrier in the Derby. The most recent Triple Crown winners are American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), both trained by Bob Baffert, ending droughts of 37 and three years respectively. In all, only 13 horses have completed the Triple Crown since Sir Barton first achieved the feat in 1919.
The Derby has produced some of racing’s most iconic names, from Citation and Seattle Slew to Secretariat and Affirmed. The race’s cultural significance extends well beyond sport: it is regularly attended by 150,000 or more spectators and is a fixture of American life each spring.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Kentucky Derby are available through the official KentuckyDerby.com website. Options range from general admission infield access (starting under $100) to reserved grandstand seating, clubhouse boxes, and premium dining experiences. Private suites with all-inclusive hospitality are available at the highest tier.
Official ticket packages through Derby Experiences start from approximately $6,595 per person (based on double occupancy) and include hotel accommodation, transport, and premium race day access. Churchill Downs’ Premium Sales team can be contacted at [email protected] or 502-636-4447 for bespoke hospitality enquiries.
Derby Day regularly attracts between 150,000 and 170,000 spectators, and premium seating sells out months in advance. Visitors are strongly advised to book both tickets and accommodation early, as Louisville hotels fill rapidly during Derby Week.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The 152nd Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday 2 May 2026, with a post time of approximately 6:57pm ET at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs, 700 Central Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40208, USA.
How can I watch the Kentucky Derby?
In the US, NBC broadcasts the race live, with streaming on Peacock. In the UK, Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV carry live coverage. The race is broadcast in over 170 territories worldwide.
Who won the Kentucky Derby last year?
Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby at odds of 18/1 under jockey Junior Alvarado, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin.
How long is the Kentucky Derby?
The race is run over one and a quarter miles (ten furlongs) on Churchill Downs’ dirt track. The race record is 1:59.40, set by Secretariat in 1973.