Surprising Facts About the Kentucky Derby

Horse racing in Kentucky began as early as 1783

The history of breeding and run gymnastic horse in Kentucky is more than two centuries long , dating back to the clip of the American Revolution . Among the homo who helped organize the first “ official ” track was Henry Clay , a member of Kentucky ’s first jockey club . But even without prescribed courses , hasten in the Derby ’s hometown of Louisville dates back to a regular race held on Market Street as early as 1783 . No word yet on whether mint juleps were serve , but the response is almost certainly .

The Derby is designed after the Epsom Derby, England’s fanciest horse race

The impetus for the most famous horse cavalry race on American soil add up in 1872 , when Meriwether Lewis Clark – grandson of the celebrated explorer – travel to Europe and find the Epsom Derby . campaign since 1780 , the wash was the most prestigious in the world , arouse visits from the royal family and becoming known as the most lucrative look upshot of the year . In respect to the Kentucky hotness , the elaborate feel top hat and dawn courtship of the aristocracy at Epsom were replaced by straw boaters and seersucker , go under up genesis of attending - seeker for one of the most vivid peacock video display of the year .

More than 400 roses go into the winner’s garland

The roseate garland has been one of the official symbols of the Derby since 1896 , when pull ahead jockey Ben Brush was given a floral arrangement of white and flushed blush wine . The current pattern is made up of more or less 400 ruby-red roses ( the prescribed flower of the Derby since 1904 ) sewn onto a green satin back opus and drape over the winner . One can only assume that between the scent of the horse and the scent of the jockey after a race in the southerly heat , the roses are just as much for the assembled heavy wigs in the winner ’s circle as for the ego - esteem of the jockey .

The biggest underdog to ever win the Derby was a 91/1 shot

In 1913 , the Kentucky Derby had its first enceinte swage when the field ’s absolute underdog , a cavalry called Donerail , bested the entire field and upset a whole plenty of people ’s exacta . operate at an astronomic 91/1 , the horse asserted itself in the concluding 16th - geographical mile for a winnings over pet Ten Point . The $ 2 win payoff of $ 184.90 is a Derby criminal record to this sidereal day . Ridden by Louisville ’s own impeccably make Roscoe Goose , Donerail maintain it dull and steadfast until the home stretch , when his comparatively gullible legs hold him past horses with thousands more dollars on them .

The youngest jockey to ever win the derby was only 15

Alonzo “ Lonnie ” Clayton was just 15 when he hotfoot his way into the sports pages . Not even old enough to drive a car , he successfully rode Azra at Churchill Downs to become the youthful Derby winner in history after two full years of professional competition . Not bad for a kid whose father , a talented carpenter , had only been freed from slavery 10 age before Lonnie ’s birth .

475,000 lbs of crushed ice will be used at the Derby

For glacial boozing like julep and bourbon slush alone , squash ice is a crucial part of the Derby experience , and head for the hills out is merely not an option . Infusing the drinkable with water and allowing flavour to immix more uniformly than ice rink cubes , crushed shabu is also more of a unconscious process to make . Some bars practice blenders , but the hotness from the simple machine can cause over dilution of your drink – a cardinal sin . Others use Ziploc bags and in the raw force , wham the ice - filled dish like mice they just found on a gum trap by the kettle . No matter how the stifling is achieved , one matter is for sealed : Churchill Downs staff are going to be crushing tons of it .