The Kentucky Derby, also known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” is held annually on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. 

The race is run by 3-year-old thoroughbreds – a type of horse bred for racing – for a distance of 1.25 miles. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds while racing, and fillies carry 121 pounds. The race has a deep history, starting in 1875, and this will be the 150th Kentucky Derby since it was inaugurated. 

The Derby is the most watched and most attended horse race in the United States. Along with the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, it is part of the United States’ coveted Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is one of the most impressive feats in sports. It is a part of a racing series for thoroughbred horses, and the recipient of the award must win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The trophy is awarded to horses that win all three.

 In the history of all of these historic races, only 13 horses have ever received the Triple Crown. The latest winner was in 2018 by a horse named Justify. In total, 292 racers have won a leg of the Triple Crown, and 52 horses have won two legs of the Triple Crown. 

This two-minute race attracted over 16.7 million viewers in 2024, and its popularity is on the rise. The sport is growing quickly, and so is the race, as it has seen huge jumps in viewers. Over 100,000 people make the journey all the way to Louisville, Ky., to watch the race. The race itself generated over $405 million in 2024, and is projected to generate even more money this year.