Previous Kentucky Derby Winners – See All Race History
This is where to find the complete Kentucky Derby winners list going all the way back to 1875. The Run for the Roses celebrates 150 years of history in 2024, so check out every single successful horse.
We have broken it down into sections, so it’s easier on the eye. These going from the most recent to the earliest winners of the biggest horse race in America. All the action goes down at Churchill Downs racetrack, traditionally on the first Saturday in May.
Full Kentucky Derby Winners List by Year
From the inaugural running of the Kentucky Derby in 1875 right up to the present day, we have all the winners in the tables below. We decided to split these into blocks of roughly 20-25 years, so you can view different eras as the race evolved into the must-see event it is today. All of the Triple Crown winners are in bold.
Last 20 Kentucky Derby Winners
In amongst the latest successful horses in the Kentucky Derby, there are two Triple Crown winners in American Pharoah and Justify. Controversy both on and off the track has had a hand in recent editions. That has led to amended results.
*Promoted to winners after first past post disqualified.Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 2024 Mystik Dan Brian Hernandez Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing (Brent Gasaway), Daniel Hamby III, Valley View Farm Kenneth McPeek 2023 Mage Javier Castellano OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH Gustavo Delgado 2022 Rich Strike Sonny Leon Red TR-Racing Eric Reed 2021 Mandaloun * Florent Geroux Juddmonte Brad Cox 2020 Authentic John Velazquez Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, Starlight Racing Bob Baffert 2019 Country House * Flavien Prat Mrs. J.V. Shields Jr., E. J. M. McFadden Jr., LNJ Foxwoods Bill Mott 2018 Justify Mike Smith China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm Bob Baffert 2017 Always Dreaming John Velazquez MeB Racing, Brooklyn Boyz, Teresa Viola, St. Elias, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds Todd Pletcher 2016 Nyquist Mario Gutierrez Reddam Racing Doug O’Neill 2015 American Pharoah Victor Espinoza Zayat Stables Bob Baffert 2014 California Chrome Victor Espinoza Steve Coburn & Perry Martin Art Sherman 2013 Orb Joel Rosario Stuart S. Janney III, Phipps Stable Claude McGaughey 2012 I’ll Have Another Mario Gutierrez Reddam Racing Doug O’Neill 2011 Animal Kingdom John Velazquez Team Valor International H. Graham Motion 2010 Super Saver Calvin Borel WinStar Farm Todd Pletcher 2009 Mine That Bird Calvin Borel Double Eagle Ranch, Buena Suerte Equine Bennie Woolley 2008 Big Brown Kent Desormeaux IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr. Rick Dutrow 2007 Street Sense Calvin Borel Jim Tafel Carl Nafzger 2006 Barbaro Edgar Prado Lael Stables Michael Matz 2005 Giacomo Mike Smith Jerry & Ann Moss John Shirreffs Past Kentucky Derby Winners – 1984-2004
During this period, no horse managed to achieve the Triple Crown. Back in 1988, however, Winning Colors became the last filly to win the Kentucky Derby. Her trainer D. Wayne Lukas would saddle three more horses to victory in The Run for the Roses in the 1990s.
† denotes a filly.Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 2004 Smarty Jones Stewart Elliott Someday Farm John Servis 2003 Funny Cide Jose Santos Sackatoga Stable Barclay Tagg 2002 War Emblem Victor Espinoza The Thoroughbred Corp. Bob Baffert 2001 Monarchos Jorge Chavez John Oxley John Ward 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus Kent Desormeaux Fusao Sekiguchi Neil Drysdale 1999 Charismatic Chris Antley Bob & Beverly Lewis D. Wayne Lukas 1998 Real Quiet Kent Desormeaux Michael E. Pegram Bob Baffert 1997 Silver Charm Gary Stevens Bob & Beverly Lewis Bob Baffert 1996 Grindstone Jerry Bailey Overbook Farm D. Wayne Lukas 1995 Thunder Gulch Gary Stevens Michael Tabor D. Wayne Lukas 1994 Go For Gin Chris McCarron Bill Condren, Joe Cornacchia Nick Zito 1993 Sea Hero Jerry Bailey Rokeby Stables MacKenzie Miller 1992 Lil E. Tea Pat Day Cal Partee Lynn Whiting 1991 Strike The Gold Chris Antley Bill Condren, Joe Cornacchia, B. Giles Brophy Nick Zito 1990 Unbridled Craig Perret Frances A. Genter Stable Carl Nafzger 1989 Sunday Silence Pat Valenzuela H-G-W Partners Charlie Whittingham 1988 Winning Colors † Gary Stevens Eugene Klein D. Wayne Lukas 1987 Alysheba Chris McCarron Dorothy & Pamela Scharbauer Jack Van Berg 1986 Ferdinand Bill Shoemaker Elizabeth Keck Charlie Whittingham 1985 Spend A Buck Angel Cordero Hunter Farm Cam Gambolati 1984 Swale Laffit Pincay Claiborne Farm Woody Stephens An Era of Famous Kentucky Derby Winners – 1964-1983
The 1970s proved a modern era golden age for the Kentucky Derby, producing three winners of the Triple Crown in just five years. Secretariat is probably the most famous of those, but Seattle Slew and Affirmed both matched Big Red’s achievements to the track, even if they couldn’t clock such fast times.
† denotes a filly, * promoted to winner after first past post disqualified.Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 1983 Sunny’s Halo Eddie Delahoussaye D.J. Foster Racing Stable David Cross 1982 Gato Del Sol Eddie Delahoussaye Arthur B. Hancock III, Leone J. Peters Edwin Gregson 1981 Pleasant Colony Jorge Velasquez Buckland Farm John Campo 1980 Genuine Risk † Jacinto Vasquez Diana M. Firestone LeRoy Jolley 1979 Spectacular Bid Ronnie Franklin Hawksworth Farm Bud Delp 1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen Harbor View Farm Laz Barrera 1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruget Karen Taylor Billy Turner 1976 Bold Forbes Angel Cordero E. Rodriguez Tizol Laz Barrera 1975 Foolish Pleasure Jacinto Vasquez John Greer LeRoy Jolley 1974 Cannonade Angel Cordero John Olin Woody Stephens 1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte Meadow Stable Lucien Laurin 1972 Riva Ridge Ron Turcotte Meadow Stable Lucien Laurin 1971 Canonero II Gustavo Avila Edgar Caibett Juan Arias 1970 Dust Commander Mike Manganello Robert Lehmann Don Combs 1969 Majestic Prince Bill Hartack Frank McMahon Johnny Longden 1968 Forward Pass * Ismael Valenzuela Calumet Farm Henry Forrest 1967 Proud Clarion Bobby Ussery Darby Dan Farm Loyd Gentry 1966 Kauai King Don Brumfield Ford Stable Henry Forrest 1965 Lucky Debonair Bill Shoemaker Ada Rice Frank Catrone 1964 Northern Dancer Bill Hartack Windfields Farm Horatio Luro Previous Kentucky Derby Winners – 1939-1963
No decade produced more successful Triple Crown bids than the 1940s. Each of Whirlaway, County Fleet, Assault and Citation got their shot at immortality off to the perfect start by winning the Kentucky Derby during and in the aftermath of World War 2.
Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 1963 Chateaugay Braulio Baeza Darby Dan Farm James P. Conway 1962 Decidedly Bill Hartack El Peco Ranch Horatio Luro 1961 Carry Back Johnny Sellers Katherine Price Jack Price 1960 Venetian Way Bill Hartack Sunny Blue Farm Victor Sovinski 1959 Tomy Lee Bill Shoemaker Fred & Juliette Turner Jr. Frank Childs 1958 Tim Tam Ismael Valenzuela Calumet Farm Jimmy Jones 1957 Iron Liege Bill Hartack Calumet Farm Jimmy Jones 1956 Needles David Erb D & H Stable Hugh Fontaine 1955 Swaps Bill Shoemaker Rex Ellsworth Mesh Tenney 1954 Determine Raymond York Andy Crevolin William Molter 1953 Dark Star Henry Moreno Cain Hoy Stable Eddie Hayward 1952 Hill Gail Eddie Arcaro Calumet Farm Ben Jones 1951 Count Turf Conn McCreary Jack Amiel Sol Rutchick 1950 Middleground William Boland King Ranch Max Hirsch 1949 Ponder Steve Brooks Calumet Farm Ben Jones 1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Calumet Farm Ben Jones 1947 Jet Pilot Eric Guerin Maine Chance Farm Tom Smith 1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens King Ranch Max Hirsch 1945 Hoop Jr. Eddie Arcaro Fred Hooper Ivan Parke 1944 Pensive Conn McCreary Calumet Farm Ben Jones 1943 Count Fleet Johnny Longden Fannie Hertz Don Cameron 1942 Shut Out Wayne Wright Greentree Stable John Gaver 1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro Calumet Farm Ben Jones 1940 Gallahadion Carroll Bierman Milky Way Farm Roy Waldron 1939 Johnstown James Stout Belair Stud Jim Fitzsimmons Kentucky Derby Winners By Year – 1919-1938
When we think of the 1930s, the time of the Great Depression, the Triple Crown concept became cemented thanks to the exploits of Gallant Fox, Omaha and War Admiral. They followed on from Sir Barton, the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 1938 Lawrin Eddie Arcaro Woolford Farm Ben Jones 1937 War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger Glen Riddle Farms George Conway 1936 Bold Venture Ira Hanford Morton Schwartz Max Hirsch 1935 Omaha Willie Saunders Belair Stud Jim Fitzsimmons 1934 Cavalcade Mack Garner Brookmeade Stable Bob Smith 1933 Brokers Tip Don Meade Edward R. Bradley Herbert Thompson 1932 Burgoo King Eugene James Edward R. Bradley Herbert Thompson 1931 Twenty Grand Charley Kurtsinger Greentree Stable James Rowe Jr. 1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande Belair Stud Jim Fitzsimmons 1929 Clyde Van Dusen Linus McAtee Herbert Gardner Clyde Van Dusen 1928 Reigh Count Chick Lang Fannie Hertz Bert Michell 1927 Whiskery Linus McAtee Harry Payne Witney Fred Hopkins 1926 Bubbling Over Albert Johnson Edward R. Bradley (Idle Hour Stock Farm) Herbert Thompson 1925 Flying Ebony Earl Sande Gifford Cochran William Duke 1924 Black Gold John Mooney Rosa Hoots Hanley Webb 1923 Zev Earl Sande Rancocas Stable David Leary 1922 Mrovich Albert Johnson Ben Block Fred Burlew 1921 Behave Yourself Charles Thompson Edward R. Bradley Herbert Thompson 1920 Paul Jones Ted Rice Ral Parr William Garth 1919 Sir Barton Johnny Loftus J. K. L. Ross H. Guy Bedwell List of Kentucky Derby Winners from the Early 20th Century – 1900-1918
Back in 1915, Regret became the first of three fillies in Kentucky Derby history to win the big race. Although a successful Triple Crown bid wasn’t pulled off until after World War I, many Hall Of Fame talents and American Horses of the Year won at Churchill Downs.
† denotes a filly.Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 1918 Exterminator Willie Knapp Willis Sharpe Kilmer Henry McDaniel 1917 Omar Khayyam Charles Borel C. K. G. Billings, Frederick Johnson Charles Patterson 1916 George Smith Johnny Loftus John Sanford Hollie Hughes 1915 Regret † Joe Notter Harry Payne Witney James Rowe Sr. 1914 Old Rosebud John McCabe Hamilton Applegate Frank Weir 1913 Donerail Roscoe Goose Thomas P. Hayes Thomas P. Hayes 1912 Worth Carroll Shilling Harry Hallenbeck Frank Taylor 1911 Meridian George Archibald Richard F. Carman Albert Ewing 1910 Donau Frederick Herbert William Gerst George Ham 1909 Wintergreen Vincent Powers Jerome B. Respess Charles Mack 1908 Stone Street Arthur Pickens C. E. & J. W. Hamilton John Hall 1907 Pink Star Andy Minder J. Hal Woodford William Fizer 1906 Sir Huon Rocoe Troxler Bashford Manor Stable Peter Coyne 1905 Agile Jack Martin Samuel S. Brown Robert Tucker 1904 Elwood Shorty Prior Laska Durnell Charles Durnell 1903 Judge Himes Harold Brooker Charles R. Ellison John Mayberry 1902 Alan-a-Dale Jimmy Winkfield Thomas Clay McDowell Thomas Clay McDowell 1901 His Eminence Jimmy Winkfield Frank Van Meter Frank Van Meter 1900 Lieut. Gibson Jimmy Boland Charles H. Smith Charles Hughes All Kentucky Derby Winners from the 19th Century – 1875-1899
The earliest editions of the Kentucky Derby helped put the race on the map. But for its trailblazers, it would never have developed into America’s most famous horse race today.
Year Kentucky Derby Winner Jockey Owner(s) Trainer 1899 Manuel Fred Taral A. H. & D. H. Morris Robert Walden 1898 Plaudit Willie Simms John Madden John Madden 1897 Typhoon II Buttons Garner Julius Cahn Julius Cahn 1896 Ben Brush Willie Simms Mike F. Dwyer Hardy Campbell 1895 Halma James Perkins Byron McClelland Byron McClelland 1894 Chant Frank Goodale Eugene Leigh, Robert Rose Eugene Leigh 1893 Lookout Eddie Kunze J. E. Cushin, J. Orth William McDaniel 1892 Arza Alonzo Clayton Bashford Manor Stable John Morris 1891 Kingman Isaac Murphy Jacobin Stable Dudley Allen 1890 Riley Isaac Murphy Edward Corrigan Edward Corrigan 1889 Spokane Thomas Kiley Noah Armstrong John Rodegap 1888 Macbeth II George Covington Chicago Stable John Campbell 1887 Montrose Isaac Lewis Labold Brothers John McGinty 1886 Ben Ali Paul Duffy James B. Haggin Jim Murphy 1885 Joe Cotton Erskine Henderson James T. Williams Abraham Perry 1884 Buchanan Isaac Murphy William Cottrill, Sam S. Brown William Bird 1883 Leonatus William Donohue Jack P. Chinn, George Morgan Raleigh Colston 1882 Apollo Babe Hurd Green Morris, J. D. Patton Green Morris 1881 Hindoo Jim McLaughlin Dwyer Brothers James Rowe Sr. 1880 Fonso George Lewis J. S. Shawhan Tice Hutsell 1879 Lord Murphy Charlie Shauer George W. Darden & Co. George Rice 1878 Day Star Jimmy Carter Thomas J. Nichols Lee Paul 1877 Baden-Baden Billy Walker Daniel Swigert Ed Brown 1876 Vagrant Robert Swim William Astor Jr. James Williams 1875 Aristides Oliver Lewis Hal Price McGrath Ansel Williamson What Past Editions Mean for Kentucky Derby Winners Today
If there’s one thing Kentucky Derby results create beyond themselves, then that is trends. These are stats which, taken with other data, can help you find wagers on the big race. Trends come with zero guarantees, though.
They can help you if you want to know how to bet on the Kentucky Derby in an effective way. Info such as the final odds, performance of favorites, qualifying points and speed figures fit here too.
Oddsmakers from all the leading Kentucky Derby betting sites use data like this, along with results from prep races, to create prices. Trends can apply to horses making the show, but also just the winners.
Kentucky Derby Winners by Post Position
Late scratchings after the final field is revealed can effect Kentucky Derby post positions and the draw. This is so there aren’t gaps between the horses jumping out the gates come race time.
Stats show a low draw doesn’t produce winners. No horse has successfully jumped out of gates 1-3 in the last 15 years, while gates 4-6 have only produced three successes.
Three of the last six winners came out of gates 7 or 8, though. Five of the nine most recent successful horses came from a double figure draw. That is also the case for eight of the last 13 editions of the Kentucky Derby. A middle-to-high draw seems to give horses an advantage.
Trainers & Jockeys
There are four active jockeys with multiple Kentucky Derby wins. These are Mike Smith, Victor Espinoza, Mario Gutierrez and John Velazquez. Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack share the all-time record for winningest jockeys in the race with five victories apiece.
California trainer Bob Baffert ties Ben Jones by saddling six successful horses in the big one. Baffert is banned from having runners at Churchill Downs right now, though. Other active racehorse trainers with multiple Kentucky Derby wins are Doug O’Neill and Todd Pletcher.
Kentucky Derby Winners And Odds
Favorties enjoyed a hot streak between 2013 and 2018 with the most fancied runner winning in all those years. Since then, however, horses with bigger Kentucky Derby odds have triumphed at Churchill Downs.
Longshots have pulled off a couple shocks in recent years. Country House got promoted to winner in 2019 after Maximum Security was disqualified by stewards for causing interference. An even bigger outsider, Rich Strike, pulled off a massive shock in 2022.
The lesson here is that looking back over final odds can’t really help you bet on the Kentucky Derby. Favorites have won it before and will so again in future. Every now and then, a longshot turns up and causes an upset.
FAQs
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