Kentucky Derby Traditions: Hats, Drinks, and More

The Kentucky Derby traces all the way back to 1875 and is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the United States.

When you’ve been running for that long, there are bound to be some great customs in place at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville. Here’s a look at some of the Kentucky Derby’s most famous traditions.

The Traditions of the Kentucky Derby

The Derby takes place on the first Saturday of May each year. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. started the Kentucky Derby back in 1875. He was the grandson of the famous explorer William Clark. Clark built the racetrack for Churchill Downs on the land of his uncles John and Henry Churchill. The Derby was a distance of 1.5 miles until 1896 when it switched to 1.25 miles.

The week leading up to the event, as well as Derby Day, has plenty of festivities, traditions, parties, and more to take part in. Here are some of the top traditions including ornate hates, the garland of roses, and more.

Lots of Ornate Hats

It’s all about the fancy hats at the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. For years, large ornate hats have been worn by women in attendance and female spectators. According to tradition, the bigger the hat, the luckier!

The Garland of Roses

The red rose was named the official flower of the Kentucky Derby in 1904. The common nickname for the event is the Run for the Roses. This is because of the tradition of the Garland of Roses. More than 400 roses are sewn in green satin and placed over the winning horse. The blanket of roses is a tradition that runs back to 1932.

Mint Juleps

The signature drink of the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep. They have been enjoyed since the Kentucky Derby was first raced many years ago. The cocktail is made up of sugar, bourbon, mint, and some crushed ice. This was named the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1939.

Silver Julep Cups

After winning the race, the winner gets invited to the president of Churchill Down’s room and gets to enjoy Mint Juleps cups made from sterling silver. The tradition also includes the governor of Kentucky toasting the winner with the special glasses.

Horse Racing Betting

Betting is extremely popular in thoroughbred racing. Betting has been around since the first Derby. In today’s era, large crowds make their way to kiosks to place wagers. Hundreds of millions of dollars of bets go on the books each year as bettors try to predict who will be the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

The Song My Old Kentucky Home

Going back to 1921, the most exciting two minutes of sports can’t go without some music. The song “My Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster plays almost every single year at the event. The University of Louisville marching band performs the song while the competing horses head to the starting gate.

Milliionaire’s Row

With spectacular hats and outfits at a prestigious event, come millionaires. Millionaire’s Row is where celebrities and big names watch the Kentucky Derby. The Derby introduced the dining area in 1966 to accommodate the wealthiest in attendance.

The Presentation of the Kentucky Derby Trophy

A long-running tradition includes giving the winner of the race a special gold trophy. This traces back to 1924 when the standard Kentucky Derby Trophy design was finalized by Matt Winn, who was the president of Churchill Downs. Trophy construction has taken place in North Attleboro, Massachusetts since 1975.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby Date and Time

The 2023 Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. You can watch the event on NBC at 6:57 p.m. ET or on the network’s streaming service Peacock.

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