1875 Kentucky Derby

The 1875 Kentucky Derby was the first running of the annually recurring race, taking place on May 17, 1875.^[1][2][3][4] It took place on the Louisville Jockey Club Grounds as a 1.5-mile run. The track was not called Churchill Downs until 1884 and the traditional distance of 1.25 miles was not established until 1896.^[5] That first Derby was a 1.5-mile race, and the traditional distance of 1.25 miles was not established until the 1896 Derby.^[6] For the first several years the betting format at this race was as auction pools in which people bid for the right to bet on the horse and the highest bidder then placed his bet. The bettor who picked the winning horse won the whole pot.^[7] Thirteen of the fifteen jockeys in the race, including winner Oliver Lewis, were African-American.^[8][9] Attendance was estimated at 10,000.^[3]

LocationChurchill Downs

DateMay 17, 1875

Winning horseAristides

JockeyOliver Lewis

Quick facts Location, Date ...

1st Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby
Grade I stakes race
Grandstands of the Louisville Jockey Club grounds, 1875
Location	Churchill Downs
Date	May 17, 1875
Winning horse	Aristides
Jockey	Oliver Lewis
Trainer	Ansel Williamson
Owner	H. Price McGrath
Surface	Dirt
1876 â†’

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The winner was Aristides, by two lengths. Ansel Williamson trained him and H. Price McGrath. Aristides' half-brother and stablemate Chesapeake also ran in the race.^[10] Both Aristides' jockey and trainer were black. Aristides's time of 2 minutes and 37.75 seconds was at the time a world record for the distance.