The 2024 Kentucky Derby takes place this Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Live coverage of the Run for the Roses begins at 2:30 PM ET on NBC and Peaco*ck. See below to find out how to watch/live stream the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
Every year, whether in person or from the comfort of their own homes, millions of viewers from around the world put on their best outfits to watch what many call the most exciting two minutes in sports. Bets are made and signature derby drinks are prepared as viewers sit on the edge of their seats to find out who will walk away with the purse of $5 million and the highly coveted 14-karat gold trophy.
If you’ve ever wondered how much it actually cost to enter the Kentucky Derby, then you’ve come to the right place. The short answer is that it costs a lot – the average auction price of horses in the 2023 Derby field was around $446,000, and between training, healthcare, equipment and food, you’re probably spending about $50,000 before even getting into the Derby particulars. Between transportation and entry fees for Derby prep races, the nomination fee for the Derby itself, and jockey fees, you’re probably close to $822,000 to get to Churchill Downs for that iconic race on the first Saturday in May. See the video below for the complete breakdown of costs.
How much does it cost to enter the Kentucky Derby:
How much does it cost to enter the Kentucky Derby?
From training to transporting a horse, Ahmed Fareed lays out how much it costs to get a three-year-old thoroughbred into the Kentucky Derby.
How much does the Kentucky Derby winner earn?
The total purse is $5 million. $3.1 million goes to the winner and that money is divided amongst the owner, who gets gets 80 percent, and the trainer and jockey who each get 10 percent. Check out the video above for more information on how the purse is split.
NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series.
See, you're not allowed to race just any horse at Churchill Down
Churchill Down
Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was prominent in Kentucky for many years.
. It has to be a three year old thoroughbred, which cost an average of $446,000 at auction. You then have to spend around $150,000 per year to feed, transport, and care for the horse.
The short answer is that it costs a lot – the average auction price of horses in the 2023 Derby field was around $446,000, and between training, healthcare, equipment and food, you're probably spending about $50,000 before even getting into the Derby particulars.
According to multiple reports, jockeys typically receive 10% of the prize money. So, whichever jockey is first across the line Saturday will likely pocket $310,000. That's up immensely from the $186,000 last year's winning jockey, Javier Castellano, received.
This year's winner of the Kentucky Derby will take home $3.1 million, while second place will get $1 million, third place will get $500,000, fourth place will receive $250,000 and fifth place will be awarded $150,000. The first-place jockey will take home $310,000 this year, NBC reports.
From Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby day's worth of racing set a record for the most amount of money bet on the race in its history at $320.5 million, up from last year's $288.7 million. The single race had a record $210 million alone, beating 2023's $188.7 million.
While exact splits might vary, typically the owner of a Kentucky Derby winner receives 80% of the purse, leaving 10% apiece for the winning jockey and trainer. Under this arrangement, in 2024 the winning owner will receive $2.48 million before taxes and the winning trainer $310,000 before taxes.
All-sources wagering on Saturday's 14 races at Churchill Downs reached $320.5 million while wagering for Kentucky Derby Week races totaled $446.6 million, per Churchill Downs. Both numbers were also records. Mystik Dan paid $39.22 to win on a $2 bet.
The guaranteed $5 million purse is split across the top five finishers of horse racing's marquee event. The owners of Mage, the winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, were awarded $1.86 million out of last year's $3 million purse — 62% of the entire purse.
On average, male horse jockeys weigh 113 lbs.while female horse jockeys weigh in on average at 107 lbs. The actual average horse jockey weight is on the lower side although the race requirements range up to 126 lbs. because the weight has to include an average 6-7 lbs.
The real money for the owners comes after the race (and the Triple Crown) is in the rearview mirror, though. Stud fees for champion horses can be substantial, ranging from $100,000 to $225,000 per foal, which can result in millions of dollars.
Japan's Yutaka Take has amassed an incredible $950 million over nearly 4,500 wins, making him the highest-paid and the richest jockey in the world. Born on March 15, 1969, Take wanted to follow in his father, Kunihiko Take's footsteps, who was a very accomplished jockey.
It's considered one of the favorite foods of the Kentucky Derby. Hot Browns are served warm (hungry yet?). Two slices of toasted bread layered with turkey and bacon are topped with Mornay sauce and tomato. Mornay is a sinfully savory cheese sauce that has an elevated cheddar flavor.
According to co*cktail producer Darren Rovell, racegoers at the Kentucky Derby are forced to pay $22 for a Mint Julep at this year's event, which is $7 more than it cost back in 2016. Back in 2006, the co*cktail was available at Churchill Downs for just $9, while it cost a mere $4.25 in 1987.
A conservative estimate of Derby's debts put them between £50m-£70m, including an outstanding amount owed to Arsenal for Polish defender Krystian Bielik, who they signed in a £10m deal in 2019. They also owe HMRC in excess of £20m. In addition, they are losing about £1.5m a month.
All dining locations will be All-Inclusive (with food, non-alcohol and alcoholic beverages) for the Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks and include access to offsite parking at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center and race day program.
The owners of Mage, the winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, were awarded $1.86 million out of last year's $3 million purse — 62% of the entire purse. That winner payout will raise to $3.1 million in 2024 — $100,000 more than the entire purse from 2023.
To qualify for the 2024 Kentucky Derby, each horse in the field had to run in a series of designated races, titled The Road to the Kentucky Derby. These races, which number in the dozens, take place all over the world between each Derby. The top five horses in each race are awarded a certain number of points.
The real money for the owners comes after the race (and the Triple Crown) is in the rearview mirror, though. Stud fees for champion horses can be substantial, ranging from $100,000 to $225,000 per foal, which can result in millions of dollars.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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