Kentucky Derby 2025: Date, Time, Location, How to Watch, Purse

The “Run for the Roses,” “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the first leg of the American Triple Crown; no matter what you call it, everybody knows about the Kentucky Derby.

On Saturday, May 3, 20 of the finest 3-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses will take to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby.

Celebrated for its rich pageantry, southern flair, and distinctive style, the Kentucky Derby is also one of the marquee social events on the North American racing calendar.

Whether on or off the track, Derby-inspired food, beverages, fashion, and décor have made the Derby a can’t-miss attraction for fans of all experience levels.

Get up to speed on everything Kentucky Derby, right here on bet365.

2025 Kentucky Derby date

The 2025 Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 3.

2025 Kentucky Derby start time

Post time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is 6:57 PM ET.

2025 Kentucky Derby location and venue

The 2025 edition of the Kentucky Derby will be held at its usual location, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

2025 Kentucky Derby purse

For the second consecutive year, the Kentucky Derby features a guaranteed purse of $5 million.

The storied race received a significant purse boost in 2024, jumping from $3 million in 2023.

There is no official prize breakdown for the 2025 edition, but this is how purse money was distributed based on finishing position in 2024:

• 1st Place: $3.1 million

• 2nd Place: $1 million

• 3rd Place: $500,000

• 4th Place: $250,000

• 5th Place: $150,000

How to watch the 2025 Kentucky Derby, TV channel and streaming

The 2025 Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC. The network is the exclusive rights holder of the Run for the Roses.

Television coverage begins at 2:30 PM ET.

A live stream of the event will also be available on Peacock.

Full event schedule for the 2025 Kentucky Derby

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is the headliner, but it is by no means the only heart-pounding contest worth your attention.

A grand total of 14 races, including eight graded tilts (five Grade 1, three Grade 2) will grace Churchill Downs’ stellar Saturday afternoon program.

Dive into the details of each standout stakes event below.

Saturday, May 3

Kentucky Derby

• Purse: $5 million

• Distance: 1 1/4 miles

• Grade: 1

• Age: 3

• Surface: Dirt

American Turf

• Purse: $1 million

• Distance: 1 1/16 miles

• Grade: 1

• Age: 3

• Surface: Turf

Churchill Downs

• Purse: $1 million

• Distance: 7 furlongs

• Grade: 1

• Age: 4+

• Surface: Dirt

Derby City Distaff

• Purse: $1 million

• Distance: 7 furlongs

• Grade: 1

• Age: 4+

• Surface: Dirt

Bourbon Turf Classic

• Purse: $1 million

• Distance: 1 1/8 miles

• Grade: 1

• Age: 4+

• Surface: Turf

Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

• Purse: $750,000

• Distance: 1 mile

• Grade: 2

• Age: 4+

• Surface: Turf 

Pat Day Mile

• Purse: $600,000

• Distance: 1 mile

• Grade: 2

• Age: 3

• Surface: Dirt

Twin Spires Turf Sprint

• Purse: $600,000

• Distance: 5 1/2 Furlongs

• Grade: 2

• Age: 3+

• Surface: Turf

Knicks Go Overnight

• Purse: $200,000

• Distance: 1 mile

• Grade: N/A

• Age: 4+

• Surface: Dirt

Kentucky Derby history

The Kentucky derby is the longest continually running sporting event in the history of the United States.

Following the inaugural edition on May 17, 1875, at the iconic Churchill Downs, the Derby soon emerged as the preeminent Thoroughbred event on the North American racing calendar.

The race dubbed the “Run for the Roses” symbolized by the blanket of roses draped over the winning horse, continued to rise in popularity, and evolve from its late 19th century origins in the years thereafter.

Modelled after the Derby Stakes in England, the Kentucky Derby is for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds and was initially contested over 1 1/2 miles. In 1896, 21 years after its maiden running, the Kentucky Derby was shortened to its present-day distance of 1 1/4 miles.

It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, joining the Preakness (second leg) and Belmont Stakes (third leg). In 1919, Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three races. At the time, however, the “Triple Crown” moniker did not exist.

It was not until 1930, when Gallant Fox became the second horse to notch the illustrious achievement, that sportswriter Charles Hatton introduced the Triple Crown handle into the American lexicon.

There have been 13 Triple Crown winners since 1919. The list includes Count Fleet (1943), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew, (1977), American Pharoah (2015) and Justify, who won in 2018 and is the last horse to complete the trifecta.

Popular Kentucky Derby winners include Donerail (1913), Swaps (1955), Northern Dancer (1964), Spectacular Bid (1979), Country House (2019), and Rich Strike (2022). 

Donerail (91-1), Rich Strike (80-1), and Country House (65-1) are the three highest-odds winners in Kentucky Derby history.

The Derby has been captured by fillies three times: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980), and Winning Colors (1988).

Traditionally held on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby routinely garners the highest attendance, television ratings, and wagering output of any race in the United States. 

Checking in on Churchill Downs – history, track specs, and more

Churchill Downs bears a history as rich as the purse of its most famous race.

The home of the Kentucky Derby first opened its doors in 1875 after Colonel Merriweather Lewis Clark Jr., grandson of explorer William Clark, leased the 80-acre property from his uncle’s John and Henry Churchill, whom the track was named for.

Clark Jr., who was introduced to the game by his father-in-law and accomplished horseman Richard Ten Broeck, championed the opening of a Thoroughbred racetrack in Louisville following the closing of the city’s two pre-existing racecourses, Oakland and Woodlawn.

His vision of elevating horse racing’s already esteemed rank in Kentucky returned immediate dividends, as 10,000 spectators poured into Churchill Downs for the first ever Kentucky Derby.

The track has since become synonymous with the enduring tradition of the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

Each year, more than 165,000 guests pack into Churchill Downs and millions more worldwide tune in for Derby Day.

The facility itself has also grown immensely, out of necessity, over the years. Now occupying 175 acres, Churchill Downs sports two tracks: a one-mile dirt oval (site of the Derby) and a seven-furlong turf course.

Alongside the Derby, other renowned dirt races at Churchill Downs include the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Derby City Distaff (G1), Churchill Downs (G1), and La Troienne (G1).

Top turf tilts include the American Turf (G1T), Bourbon Turf Classic (G1T), Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2T), and Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T).

Churchill Downs also houses the Kentucky Derby museum on site, which preserves and celebrates the revered history of the most iconic venue and race in North America. 

Kentucky Derby winners since 2010 (horse, jockey, trainer)

2024: Mystik Dan – Brian Hernandez Jr.  – Kenneth McPeek

2023: Mage – Javier Castellano – Gustavo Delgado

2022: Rich Strike – Sonny Leon – Eric Reed

2021: Mandaloun – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox

2020: Authentic – John Velasquez – Bob Baffert

2019: Country House – Flavien Prat – Bill Mott

2018: Justify – Mike Smith – Bob Baffert

2017: Always Dreaming – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher

2016: Nyquist – Mario Gutierrez – Doug O’Neill

2015: American Pharoah – Victor Espinoza – Bob Baffert

2014: California Chrome – Victor Espinoza – Art Sherman

2013: Orb – Joel Rosario – Claude McGaughey III

2012: I’ll Have Another – Mario Gutierrez – Doug O’Neill

2011: Animal Kingdom – John Velazquez – Graham Motion

2010: Super Saver – Calvin Borel – Todd Pletcher

Kentucky Derby records

Most wins (Horse): No horse has won the Kentucky Derby twice as the race is restricted to 3-year-olds

Largest margin of victory: 8 lengths, four horses tied – Old Rosebud (1914,) Johnstown (1939), Whirlaway (1941), and Assault (1946).

Fastest time: 1:59.4 by Secretariat in 1973 (2 ½-length victory)

Most wins by a jockey: 5, two jockeys tied – Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952) and Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969)

Most wins by a trainer: 6, two jockeys tied – Ben Jones (1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952) and Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020)

Most wins by an owner: 8 – Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968)

First Kentucky Derby winner: Aristides (1875).

Read the latest horse racing news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Woodbine Entertainment Group.