Q 01/05

In which year did 15 horses contest the first Kentucky Derby?

A) 1867

B) 1871

C) 1875

D) 1880

Answer · why

C) 1875

The first Derby was run on May 17 in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000, with a field of 15 horses.

Q 02/05

Which horse won the very first Kentucky Derby?

A) Ten Broeck

B) Vagrant

C) Aristides

D) Baden-Baden

Answer · why

C) Aristides

Aristides was meant to be the pacemaking 'rabbit' for his stablemate Chesapeake, but simply never came back to the field.

Q 03/05

What is the Kentucky Derby commonly nicknamed?

A) The Run for the Roses

B) The Sport of Kings

C) The Greatest Race on Earth

D) The Crown Jewel

Answer · why

A) The Run for the Roses

The nickname, popularised by a New York sports columnist in 1925, refers to the blanket of roses draped over the winner.

Q 04/05

Who became the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, with Golden Tempo in 2026?

A) Cherie DeVaux

B) Linda Rice

C) Jena Antonucci

D) Kathy Ritvo

Answer · why

A) Cherie DeVaux

Golden Tempo's win in the 152nd running was the first for a female trainer in the race's history.

Q 05/05

What is the current distance of the Kentucky Derby?

A) 1 mile

B) 1 and 1/8 miles

C) 1 and 1/2 miles

D) 1 and 1/4 miles

Answer · why

D) 1 and 1/4 miles

Ten furlongs has been the trip since 1896; before that the race was two furlongs longer.