Top 12 Fascinating Fun Facts About the Kentucky Derby: Unveiling the Secrets of the World's Greatest Horse Race

1. Marching Band Tradition

Why did the marching band cross the road? To serenade some horses, of course! The hilarious tradition: The University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band has played Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" every year since 1921 before the Kentucky Derby race commences, making for a delightful sight and sound at the parade.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Extravagant Hat Evolution

Hats off to fashion, or should we say, hats on: The Kentucky Derby's extravagant hat tradition began in the 18th century when founder Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. invited high-society women to the racetrack to lure in the wealthy class, and while the original purpose of these hats was sun protection, they've evolved into a bold fashion statement, gracing the heads of celebrities including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Kate Middleton.
Source => hatsinthebelfry.com

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=> Fun Facts about Horses

3. Mint Juleps Galore

Hold onto your hats and bourbon – the Kentucky Derby is galloping through American history like a horse on mint-scented rocket fuel: This continuous sporting event, the United States' longest-running, is annually held on the first Saturday in May in Louisville, Kentucky, and is so famously linked with the mint julep cocktail that over 120,000 of them are served during the weekend festivities. This year's Derby, however, has left the traditional calendar date in the dust, postponing the race until September 5th, due to global health concerns – but Derby Day enthusiasts keep on trotting in May, raising high their glasses filled with crushed ice, simple syrup, quality bourbon, and fresh mint.
Source => thechunkychef.com

4. Secretariat's Record-Breaking Victory

In a galloping display of utter domination that must have left rival jockeys horse-faced with envy, the 1973 Kentucky Derby saw one stallion leave them all in the dust like they had hooves made of molasses: Secretariat charged across the finish line with a record-breaking 2.5-length lead over second place Sham, making it the largest margin of victory in the race's storied history.
Source => al.com

5. Jockey to Bellhop

From saddling horses to ringing bells: Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton, the top jockey of the 1890s winning hundreds of races, including the 1892 Kentucky Derby, was forced out of racing due to racial tensions and ended up working as a bellhop. Much like his dream home, Clayton's legacy was nearly lost, until he was honored with a display in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and a marker in Louisville, Kentucky in 2012.
Source => thv11.com

6. Crafting the Garland of Roses

A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but it takes a whole bouquet of them to create the Kentucky Derby's flowery crown: Over 6,000 roses are hand-stitched to craft the illustrious Garland of Roses, featuring 400 red roses, green satin backing, fern, and ribbon, all representing the heart and struggle needed to reach the Derby Winner's Circle.
Source => wdrb.com

7. Old Rosebud's Speedy Run

Before there was The Flash, there was Old Rosebud: an equine speedster who set the Kentucky Derby ablaze in 1914, finishing the race in a lightning-fast 2 minutes and 3 seconds, and winning it by a record-breaking 8 lengths – a mighty margin that held strong for 16 long years.
Source => kentuckyderby.com

8. "My Old Kentucky Home" Tradition

Before DJs and "Turn Down for What" dropped on the racetrack, there was a little ditty that set the Kentucky Derby's heart aflutter since 1921 – cue the vintage gramophone: The playing of "My Old Kentucky Home" became a tradition at the Derby, most likely initiated during the 47th running of the race. Performed by the University of Louisville Marching Band since 1936, this beloved tune penned by Stephen Foster accompanies the majestic parade of horses from the paddock to the starting gate, making hearts swell with pride and sentiment, even if the lyrics have nothing to do with horse racing.
Source => kentuckyderby.com

9. The Road to the Kentucky Derby

In a posh Southern soirée with fancy hats and mint juleps worthy of a royal tea party, these twenty prancing quadrupeds aren't horsing around: The Kentucky Derby, held at Louisville's Churchill Downs annually on the first Saturday of May, has been the longest-running U.S sports event since 1875, with horses vying for their once-in-a-lifetime shot at glory in this exclusive race by acquiring points on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," including recent offshoots catering to Japan and Europe.
Source => kentuckyderby.com

10. Heavyweight Rose Bouquet

In a world where roses are red and horses are fast, one race dares to fuse these powerhouses into the ultimate symbol of victory: The Kentucky Derby boasts a floral tradition known as the "Run for the Roses" where the winning horse gets to wear an impressive garland of over 400 red roses, weighing around 40 pounds – truly, the heavyweight champion of bouquets since 1896.
Source => triplecrownraces.com

11. Custom Mint Julep Cups

Whoever said money can't buy happiness never had a custom jeweler-crafted Kentucky Derby mint julep cup in their hands: Woodford Reserve, a Kentucky bourbon distillery, has been creating these limited edition treasures for 14 years, each depicting intricately designed Kentucky scenes and sold for either $1,000 or $2,500. Proceeds benefit a different charity each year, with this year's minty masterpieces supporting the John Asher Memorial Scholarship Fund at Western Kentucky University, honoring the late voice of Churchill Downs. Just 33 of these luxurious libation vessels were left as of May 3, 2019—talk about putting the "fun" in "funding!"
Source => cnbc.com

12. Kentucky Oaks Day Fashion

In an equine fashionista's dream world, the Kentucky Derby is a pink paradise where frills meet fills, and hats stand tall amongst neigh-bors: At Kentucky Oaks Day, attendees showcase their finest and most colorful outfits, complete with fashionable hats, fascinators, and headbands, with the illustrious Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest highlighting the latest and most impressive Oaks-inspired ensembles.
Source => kentuckyderby.com