The Kentucky Derby

Fri, 05/25/2007 - 04:06

On a May afternoon in 1875, about 10,000 horseracing fans, bookmakers and owners gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, at a former stock farm renamed the New Louisville Jockey Club, to watch 15 thoroughbreds compete in the first ever Kentucky Derby. The winning horse that day was a three-year-old chestnut colt named Aristides, and its owner, H. P. McGrath, made $2,850 for the victory. By all accounts, the day was a great success and plans were quickly made to make the event an annual occurrence.