The Kentucky Derby winners list runs back to 1875, making the Run for the Roses the longest continuously held sporting event in the United States. Each May, three-year-old thoroughbreds race 1 1/4 miles at Churchill Downs in Louisville for the first leg of the Triple Crown. The most recent champion is Golden Tempo, who won the 2026 Derby under jockey Jose Ortiz for trainer Cherie DeVaux, the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner. Below is the full list of champions by year, with the winning horse, jockey, and trainer.
Kentucky Derby Winners: Quick Facts
- Most recent winner: Golden Tempo (2026), Jose Ortiz up, trained by Cherie DeVaux.
- Historic first: DeVaux is the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.
- 2025 winner: Sovereignty.
- Most wins, jockey: Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack, 5 each.
- Most wins, trainer: Ben Jones and Bob Baffert, 6 each.
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, first Saturday in May, since 1875.
List of Kentucky Derby Winners (2000-2026)
| Year | Winning Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Golden Tempo | Jose Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux |
| 2025 | Sovereignty | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott |
| 2024 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenny McPeek |
| 2023 | Mage | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | Sonny Leon | Eric Reed |
| 2021 | Mandaloun | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox |
| 2020 | Authentic | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert |
| 2019 | Country House | Flavien Prat | Bill Mott |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
| 2016 | Nyquist | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O’Neill |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert |
| 2014 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman |
| 2013 | Orb | Joel Rosario | Shug McGaughey |
| 2012 | I’ll Have Another | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O’Neill |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | John Velazquez | Graham Motion |
| 2010 | Super Saver | Calvin Borel | Todd Pletcher |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird | Calvin Borel | Chip Woolley |
| 2008 | Big Brown | Kent Desormeaux | Rick Dutrow |
| 2007 | Street Sense | Calvin Borel | Carl Nafzger |
| 2006 | Barbaro | Edgar Prado | Michael Matz |
| 2005 | Giacomo | Mike Smith | John Shirreffs |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones | Stewart Elliott | John Servis |
| 2003 | Funny Cide | Jose Santos | Barclay Tagg |
| 2002 | War Emblem | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert |
| 2001 | Monarchos | Jorge Chavez | John Ward Jr. |
| 2000 | Fusaichi Pegasus | Kent Desormeaux | Neil Drysdale |
Two recent results were decided by disqualification. In 2019, Maximum Security crossed the line first but was disqualified for interference, elevating Country House to the win. In 2021, Medina Spirit finished first but was disqualified after a failed drug test, and Mandaloun was later awarded the victory.
Who Has Won the Most Kentucky Derbies?
Among jockeys, Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack share the record with five Kentucky Derby wins each. Among trainers, Ben Jones (six wins, mostly with Calumet Farm) and Bob Baffert (six wins) lead the way. Thirteen horses have gone on to win the Triple Crown after their Derby victory, most recently Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah in 2015.
Kentucky Derby Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby by a neck under jockey Jose Ortiz. Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.
Who has won the most Kentucky Derbies?
Jockeys Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack hold the record with five wins each, while trainers Ben Jones and Bob Baffert lead with six wins each.
How many Triple Crown winners have there been?
Thirteen horses have won the Triple Crown, sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in the same year. The most recent was Justify in 2018.
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