Kentucky Derby Horse Names

Top 20 kentucky derby horse names at a glance

Triple Crown winners at the Derby

These horses didn't just win the Derby — they swept all three classic races.

• Secretariat (1973) — Still holds the Derby speed record at 1:59.40. Won Belmont by 31 lengths.
• Seattle Slew (1977) — Only undefeated Triple Crown winner. Purchased for just $17,500.
• Affirmed (1978) — Won by a nose over Alydar. Their rivalry defined an era.
• American Pharoah (2015) — Ended the 37-year Triple Crown drought. Became a cultural phenomenon.
• Justify (2018) — Undefeated in 6 starts including the Triple Crown. The "curse of Apollo" broken.
• Citation (1948) — Won 16 consecutive races including the Triple Crown.
• Whirlaway (1941) — Won by 8 lengths with a wild, wide-running style.
• Assault (1946) — Called "Club Foot" due to a childhood injury. Won despite the odds.
• Count Fleet (1943) — Dominated the Triple Crown, winning Belmont by 25 lengths.
• War Admiral (1937) — Son of Man o' War. Later lost to Seabiscuit in their famous match race.

Greatest Derby upsets

The Kentucky Derby loves an underdog story.

• Mine That Bird (2009) — 50-1 longshot. Came from dead last to win by 6¾ lengths.
• Rich Strike (2022) — 80-1 longshot. Barely made the field. Won in stunning fashion.
• Giacomo (2005) — 50-1 upset. Named after Sting's son.
• Donerail (1913) — 91-1. The longest odds winner in Derby history.
• Country House (2019) — 65-1. Won via disqualification of Maximum Security.
• Canonero II (1971) — Venezuelan-trained 8-1 shot who shocked the racing world.
• Dark Star (1953) — Beat the heavily favored Native Dancer.
• Charismatic (1999) — 31-1 shot who went on to win the Preakness too.
• Lil E. Tee (1992) — 17-1 upset in a rain-soaked Derby.
• Ferdinand (1986) — 17-1 shot ridden by Bill Shoemaker at age 54.

Derby-inspired name ideas

Names inspired by the Derby tradition, Churchill Downs, and Kentucky culture.

• Churchill — After Churchill Downs itself.
• Bluegrass — Kentucky's nickname. The Bluegrass State.
• Bourbon — Kentucky's signature spirit.
• Mint Julep — The official Derby cocktail.
• Garland — The garland of roses draped on the winner.
• Derby — The race itself.
• Louisville — Home city of Churchill Downs.
• Thoroughbred — The breed that races.
• Furlong — Racing distance measurement.
• Paddock — Where horses gather before the race.
• Silks — The jockey's colorful uniform.
• Steeplechase — Racing over fences.
• Homestretch — The final straight.
• Grandstand — Where the crowd cheers.
• Roses — Run for the Roses — the Derby's nickname.

Tips for choosing the perfect name

• Update annually. The Derby happens every May — check for new winners.
• Use the winner as inspiration, not the exact name (it's likely registered).
• Derby cocktail names like Mint Julep and Bourbon work great.
• Kentucky place names — Louisville, Lexington, Bluegrass — make natural horse names.
• Consider the story behind each winner. Upset winners like Mine That Bird make especially inspiring names.

Explore more horse names

• Race Horse Names Hub
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• Famous Horse Names

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the fastest Kentucky Derby time?

Secretariat holds the record at 1:59.40 (1973) — the only horse to run the Derby in under 2 minutes.

How many fillies have won the Kentucky Derby?

Only 3 fillies have won: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980), and Winning Colors (1988).

What was the biggest Derby upset?

Donerail (1913) at 91-1 is the longest odds winner. In modern history, Rich Strike (2022) at 80-1 and Mine That Bird (2009) at 50-1 are the biggest upsets.

How long is the Kentucky Derby?

The Derby is 1¼ miles (10 furlongs), run on a dirt track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

When is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is held on the first Saturday in May every year.

Can any horse run in the Kentucky Derby?

Only 3-year-old Thoroughbreds who have earned enough qualifying points can enter, with a maximum field of 20 horses.

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