Kentucky Derby tickets

About Kentucky Derby

Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.

2019 Winner: Country House

Fastest Kentucky Derby Race of All Time:1973 won by Secretariat in 1:59 2/5

Notable Trainers of All Time: D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Nick Zito, Charlie Whittingham, Carl Nafzger

Kentucky Derby Tickets

The Kentucky Derby is run on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Horses ran the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, and it is the longest consecutively run sporting event in America. The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the

Triple Crown

, which also includes the

Preakness Stakes

and the

Belmont Stakes

. Over the last 50 years, 13 horses have gone on to win the Triple Crown, including Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, Affirmed in 1978, American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018. The winner of this race for 3-year-old horses received a garland of red roses while the horse’s owners took home $1.86 million in 2019. This tradition of giving a garland of red roses started in 1896, and it is why this race was nicknamed the Running for the Roses by Bill Corum in 1925. Some of the Kentucky Derby jockeys with the most wins include Victor Espinoza, Calvin Borel, Gary Stevens and William Shoemaker. Grab your Kentucky Derby tickets at StubHub.

What events occur during the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is surrounded by a week of festivities starting on Saturday before the Kentucky Derby is run. During the opening event, many artists perform, organizers hold 10 thoroughbred races and art is displayed. Fans have the chance to see the top horses train during early morning workouts. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, other horses race at Churchill Downs during Derby Week. On Friday, the fillies race in the

Kentucky Oaks

.

What requirements must a horse meet to race in the Kentucky Derby?

Horses racing in the Kentucky Derby must be 3 years old. Twenty-four horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby, but only 20 run the race. The horses that amass the most points in a series of races before the Kentucky Derby get the honor of running. Horses receive points for being in the top four at qualifying races.

What are some qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby?

The first of these races occur at Churchill Downs in September while the last occurs at

Oakland Park

in April. To make the Kentucky Derby an international event, organizers hold numerous qualifying races in England, four in Japan and one in Dubai. Horses finishing in the top four places do not get the same amount of points for each race. Races with higher point totals include the UAE Derby run at

Meydan Racecourse

, the

Florida Derby

run at

Gulfstream Park

, the Wood Memorial run at Aqueduct, the

Blue Grass Stakes

run at

Keeneland

, the

Santa Anita Derby

run at

Santa Anita Park

and the

Arkansas Derby

run at

Oakland Park

.

What type of general admission seating may be available for the Kentucky Derby?

Two different types of general admission seating may be available for the Kentucky Derby. You can choose to sit in the infield where you will need to bring your own chair or blanket. You can also get tickets to the historic paddock where the horses get ready for the race.

What are some reserved seating options that might be available for the Kentucky Derby?

A variety of reserved outdoor seating options may be possible. You can also get reserved seating in one of the indoor dining rooms, which includes all the food you want to eat during the Kentucky Derby. You may also want to consider a corporate or private suite. Suites may be available that hold between 18 and 400 guests.