Kentucky Derby Trivia

100+ Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: October 11th, 2024

Test your knowledge with Kentucky Derby Trivia! Dive into fun facts about one of the most prestigious horse races, from famous jockeys and female riders to the history of the event. Learn about the traditions, the thrilling 125-mile race, and why it’s known as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports!"

General Kentucky Derby Trivia

Question: Where is the Kentucky Derby held?

Answer: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, US

Question: What is the nickname given to the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports

Question: What is the traditional distance of the Kentucky Derby race?

Answer: 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km)

Question: In what year was the Kentucky Derby inaugurated?

Answer: 1875

Question: Who organized the Louisville Jockey Club?

Answer: Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr

Question: What race serves as the first leg of the Triple Crown?

Answer: The Kentucky Derby

Question: Who provided the land for Churchill Downs?

Answer: Henry Churchill and John Churchill

Question: How many horses typically run in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 20 horses

Question: What weight do colts and geldings carry in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 126 pounds (572 kg)

Question: What is the traditional song played at the Derby as horses parade?

Answer: “My Old Kentucky Home”

Question: Which US state is home to the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Kentucky, United States

Question: What is the official website of the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: kentuckyderbycom

Question: What is the first Saturday in May known for in horse racing?

Answer: Kentucky Derby Day

Question: What nickname refers to the winning horse’s prize in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: The Run for the Roses

Question: What is the fastest recorded time in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 1:594 by Secretariat in 1973

Question: What race precedes the Kentucky Derby during the Kentucky Derby Festival?

Answer: Thunder Over Louisville

Question: What is the name of the major race for fillies held the day before the Derby?

Answer: The Kentucky Oaks

Question: Who was the first horse to win the Triple Crown?

Answer: Sir Barton in 1919

Question: What year was the Kentucky Derby rescheduled due to World War II?

Answer: 1945

Question: What is the largest margin of victory in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 8 lengths

Question: Who won the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875?

Answer: Aristides

Question: What traditional drink is served at the Derby?

Answer: Mint julep

Question: What is the Kentucky Derby purse as of 2024?

Answer: US$5 million

Question: Who coined the phrase "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports"?

Answer: Matt Winn

Question: Who performed the National Anthem at the 2024 Derby?

Answer: Wynonna Judd

Kentucky Derby Winners Trivia

Question: What horse holds the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby time?

Answer: Secretariat with 1:594 in 1973

Question: Which horse won the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Mystik Dan

Question: Who was the jockey for the 2020 Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic?

Answer: John Velazquez

Question: Which horse won the 2022 Derby as an 80:1 underdog?

Answer: Rich Strike

Question: What horse became the first Triple Crown winner?

Answer: Sir Barton in 1919

Question: What horse won the 1973 Kentucky Derby and later broke the record?

Answer: Secretariat

Question: Who won the Kentucky Derby in 1990 and sired future Triple Crown winner American Pharoah?

Answer: Unbridled

Question: What was the largest crowd recorded at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 158,070 in 2017

Question: How many jockeys have won the Kentucky Derby more than once?

Answer: 27 jockeys

Question: Who was the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Diane Crump in 1970

Question: What is the highest odds of a winning horse in Derby history?

Answer: 91 to 1 for Donerail in 1913

Question: Which horse won the Kentucky Derby in 2018 and the Triple Crown?

Answer: Justify

Question: What horse set a sub-two-minute time in the 2001 Derby?

Answer: Monarchos with 1:5997

Question: Which horse had the second fastest time after Secretariat?

Answer: Sham in 1973

Question: Which jockey has the most wins in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Eddie Arcaro with 5 wins

Question: What was the first Kentucky Derby-winning horse without racing as a two-year-old?

Answer: Apollo in 1882

Question: What horse won the 2019 Derby after the disqualification of Maximum Security?

Answer: Country House

Question: What year did the Derby first exceed a $100,000 purse?

Answer: 1954

Question: How many times has the Kentucky Derby been postponed?

Answer: Twice (1945 and 2020)

Question: Who was the first trainer to win back-to-back Kentucky Derbys?

Answer: Herbert J Thompson in 1932 and 1933

Question: Which horse won the Derby in 2006?

Answer: Barbaro

Question: What horse won the Derby and then finished second in the Belmont Stakes?

Answer: Aristides

Question: Which horse won the Derby in 1964 and later became an influential sire?

Answer: Northern Dancer

Question: Which horse had the second highest odds to win the Derby at 80 to 1?

Answer: Rich Strike in 2022

Question: What horse was disqualified after winning the Derby in 1968?

Answer: Dancer's Image

Kentucky Derby Traditions Trivia

Question: What is the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Mint julep

Question: What is the infield area of Churchill Downs famous for?

Answer: Hosting parties during the Derby with limited views of the horse race

Question: What is "Millionaire's Row" at the Derby?

Answer: The prestigious box seats at Churchill Downs

Question: Who coined the phrase "Run for the Roses"?

Answer: Bill Corum in 1925

Question: What traditional Kentucky food is served at the Derby?

Answer: Burgoo, a thick stew of meats and vegetables

Question: Which horse was the second to win the Triple Crown after Sir Barton?

Answer: Gallant Fox in 1930

Question: Which Kentucky Derby day event marks the start of the festivities?

Answer: Thunder Over Louisville

Question: What command is given for jockeys to mount their horses before the race?

Answer: "Riders Up!"

Question: What year did the Kentucky Derby logo design begin featuring a Twin Spire?

Answer: Since 2002

Question: What company became the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby in 2018?

Answer: Woodford Reserve

Question: What event attracted HM Queen Elizabeth II as a spectator in 2007?

Answer: The Kentucky Derby

Question: Who was the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby using the 20-stall starting gate?

Answer: Authentic in 2020

Question: What is the nickname given to the blanket of roses draped on the winning horse?

Answer: The Run for the Roses

Question: How many red roses are in the garland given to the Kentucky Derby winner?

Answer: 554 roses

Question: What song is traditionally played at the start of the Derby?

Answer: “My Old Kentucky Home”

Question: Who was the grand marshal of the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Martha Stewart

Question: What drink is served in a silver cup during the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Mint julep

Question: Which company was the presenting sponsor of the Derby before Woodford Reserve?

Answer: Yum! Brands

Question: Which Kentucky Derby race set a record in attendance in 2017?

Answer: The 143rd Kentucky Derby

Question: Who designed the Kentucky Derby logo from 2002 onwards?

Answer: Norman Adams

Question: Who won the Oaks/Derby double in 2024?

Answer: Brian Hernandez Jr on Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan

Question: What year marked the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 2024

Question: What is the capacity of Churchill Downs on Derby Day?

Answer: Over 150,000 people

Question: What traditional Derby drink has been served since 1939 in souvenir glasses?

Answer: Mint julep

Question: What prestigious horse races make up the Triple Crown?

Answer: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes

Kentucky Derby Facts Trivia

Question: What horse holds the record for the largest margin of victory in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Old Rosebud in 1914 (8 lengths)

Question: Who holds the record for most Kentucky Derby wins as a jockey?

Answer: Eddie Arcaro with 5 wins

Question: What is the official distance of the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs)

Question: What horse race follows the Kentucky Derby in the Triple Crown?

Answer: Preakness Stakes

Question: What is the Triple Crown finale after the Kentucky Derby and Preakness?

Answer: Belmont Stakes

Question: How many horses typically compete in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: 20 horses

Question: Which horse won the Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes in 1930?

Answer: Gallant Fox

Question: How many horses won the Triple Crown?

Answer: 13 horses (as of 2024)

Question: What was the purse of the Kentucky Derby increased to in 2024?

Answer: $5 million

Question: What horse finished the 2020 Kentucky Derby in first place?

Answer: Authentic

Question: Who was the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978?

Answer: American Pharoah in 2015

Question: What is the second leg of the Triple Crown series?

Answer: Preakness Stakes

Question: How many fillies have won the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Three

Question: Who was the first Kentucky Derby winner?

Answer: Aristides in 1875

Question: What famous horse won the Kentucky Derby and broke multiple records in 1973?

Answer: Secretariat

Question: Which jockey won the Kentucky Derby back-to-back in 1901 and 1902?

Answer: Jimmy Winkfield

Question: Which Kentucky Derby-winning horse also won the Belmont Stakes?

Answer: Sir Barton, 1919

Question: What is the second fastest time ever recorded in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: Monarchos in 2001 with 1:59.97

Question: What year did the Kentucky Derby first offer a $1 million purse?

Answer: 1996

Question: Who won the Kentucky Derby in 1968 but was later disqualified?

Answer: Dancer's Image

Question: What is the last race of the Triple Crown series?

Answer: Belmont Stakes

Question: Which Triple Crown winner is famous for setting records in all three races?

Answer: Secretariat in 1973

Question: Who was the first trainer to win the Kentucky Derby six times?

Answer: Ben Jones

Question: Who was the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year-old?

Answer: Apollo

Question: What horse won the 1980 Kentucky Derby and is one of three fillies to win?

Answer: Genuine Risk