To be regarded as ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports’ naturally comes with expectations. But the 150th edition of the famed Kentucky Derby proved to everyone last year once again why it is the most exciting and the most prestigious horse race in the USA. Three horses in a photo finish where the winner edged out one of the favorites – that’s precisely what people line up to see at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday of May.
Winning the Derby, also famously known as “The Run for the Roses,” makes you part of a glorious history that has continued uninterrupted since 1875. But it’s not just legacy and prestige that are on offer at the Kentucky Derby. Having a successful race comes with the added benefit of walking away with quite some money. But how much exactly is the question, right? Well, we have the answer. So, let’s dive right in.
The total prize money pool for the May 3rd, 2025, Kentucky Derby is $5 million. That amount makes it the joint 2nd-highest paying race after the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which pays out around $7 million. But hey, it’s kind of expected from the Derby, being the most prestigious and part of the Triple Crown races. Anyway, from this $5 million chunk, the winner takes home $3.1 million.
This has been the payout since 2024. That is, when Mystik Dan won the 2024 Kentucky Derby last year, his whole team got $3.1 million as prize money. But then comes the question – how does the money get divided among the trainer, jockey, owner, etc.? The owner is said to pocket almost 80% of the $3.1 million, while the jockey and trainer get 10% each. Traditionally, that has been the way the prize money has been shared.
And mind you, the prize pool was not always this substantial. Even as recently as 2023, the total prize money on offer was $3 million. And before 2019, it was $2 million overall. Compare that with the $3.1 million that the winner alone would get in 2025. Big difference, right? Well, this has been possible thanks to Churchill Downs Inc’s investment of over $1 billion into the horse racing industry in Kentucky. The development initiative by the private organization, which started in 2018, has not only strengthened the horse racing infrastructure but has also helped bring in enough money to raise the cash prize at the historic Derby.
Besides the money, the owner also gets a gold trophy while the trainer, jockey, and the breeder each get a silver replica, half the size of the main gold trophy. So, as you can understand, a lot is riding on being the No. 1 horse at the Kentucky Derby. But coming second is also not bad. You will get $1 million as a prize. Other than that, the 3rd placed horse gets $500,000 while the 4th and 5th get $250,000 and $150,000, respectively.
The $5 million payout definitely helps the Kentucky Derby participation, a fruitful endeavor for the racers. Before 2024, the whole prize pool was $3 million, with the winner getting $1.8 million. But with the expenses that are associated with getting the horses to race in arguably the most challenging race, it helps that the winner is compensated handsomely.
But not everyone goes home happy and satisfied. And that is because of the financial hit one has to take for not finishing in the top 5 of the Kentucky Derby.
Entering the Kentucky Derby is always a gamble
Trainer Steve Asmussen hasn’t won in the Kentucky Derby in 26 attempts. Mike Repole is 0 for 7. And these entries to the race don’t come free. Buying a race horse can set you back anywhere between $5,000 to $500,000 or more. Add to that the costs of training, equipment, food, healthcare, etc. That costs around $50k a month. Then, to move the horses around from race to race involves transportation costs, maintenance charges, etc.
And to enter the Kentucky Derby, you need to pay a nomination fee. This catch has a catch. If you pay the nomination fee at the earliest, it’s $600. But around April, it becomes $6000. And after that, it shoots up to $200,000. Talk about being a rich man’s game. And it’s still not done. To enter the race, you have to pay $25000 and another $25000 to race. All done. Well, almost. Just add a small $500 for a jockey for the race, and you are set.
Naturally, you can understand it becomes a financially draining endeavor if you are not in the top 5 at least. Because only the top 5 walk away with some prize money while the other 15 don’t get a penny. That’s what makes winning the Kentucky Derby not only prestigious but also so priceless. It’s a mega racing extravaganza.
So, come May 3rd, watch out for a fierce showdown. With so much money at stake, no wonder it translates into the “fastest two minutes in sports”.
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