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For the third straight year, the Kentucky Derby purse will be $5 million when the 152nd Run for the Roses takes place on May 2.
The amount became a new record in 2024 with Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen calling it "a symbol of the health of horse racing in Kentucky." The purse money is split up between the top five finishers. Since 2024, the winner of the Derby has received $3.1 million while the runner-up gets $1 million.
Similarly, Derby betting continues to increase, with the all-sources handle for Derby Day reaching a record $349 million in 2025. That number was $320.5 million in 2024 and $288.7 million in 2023.
“It is truly gratifying to view the steady growth of the Churchill Downs racing product and the entire Kentucky horse racing and breeding industry, which bettors around the world have embraced,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson said in a statement. “Through the purses generated by the racing association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, Kentucky horsemen and horsewomen are reaping the benefits of Churchill Downs Incorporated’s historic investment as we celebrate this year’s milestone 150th Kentucky Derby.”
Here's a look at the race's growth in prize money, and from a betting standpoint, over the years:
The first Kentucky Derby, in 1875, had a $1,000 purse — plus added money.
Added money, according to Daily Racing Form, is any amount of money added to the purse of a race by a racing association (or a breeding fund, etc.) to the amount paid by owners in nomination, eligibility, entry and starting fees.
The winner of the first Run for the Roses, Aristides, received $2,850. The runner-up, Volcano, received $200.
That makes for a grand total of $3,050, of which $2,050 was added money.
Here's a look at how the Kentucky Derby purse has changed over the years:
Between 1875-85, only the first- and second-place finishers received payouts. That changed in 1886; when Free Knight was awarded $150 for placing third.
Now the top five collect checks. Here's how the purse has been distributed since 2024:
Wagering at the first Derby, according to the race's official website, was done via auction pools.
How'd that work? Bettors would bid on their desired horse, and once the entire field was auctioned off, all the winning bids were pooled together. The bettor who backed the winning horse won the whole pot.
Pari-mutuel betting was first introduced three years later but didn't catch on until 1908, when bookmaking was outlawed in Louisville. In 1911, the minimum bet amount was lowered from $5 to $2.
Money really started flowing in with the advent of simulcast wagering during the early 1980s. It hasn't slowed down since — and shouldn't, considering the widespread legalization of sports gambling and the accessibility of mobile sportsbook apps.
Here's a look at the all-sources handle for Derby Day over the past four decades:
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby 2026, how much is purse for Churchill's Run for Roses
Continue reading...
The amount became a new record in 2024 with Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen calling it "a symbol of the health of horse racing in Kentucky." The purse money is split up between the top five finishers. Since 2024, the winner of the Derby has received $3.1 million while the runner-up gets $1 million.
Similarly, Derby betting continues to increase, with the all-sources handle for Derby Day reaching a record $349 million in 2025. That number was $320.5 million in 2024 and $288.7 million in 2023.
“It is truly gratifying to view the steady growth of the Churchill Downs racing product and the entire Kentucky horse racing and breeding industry, which bettors around the world have embraced,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson said in a statement. “Through the purses generated by the racing association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, Kentucky horsemen and horsewomen are reaping the benefits of Churchill Downs Incorporated’s historic investment as we celebrate this year’s milestone 150th Kentucky Derby.”
Here's a look at the race's growth in prize money, and from a betting standpoint, over the years:
How much was first Kentucky Derby purse?
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The first Kentucky Derby, in 1875, had a $1,000 purse — plus added money.
Added money, according to Daily Racing Form, is any amount of money added to the purse of a race by a racing association (or a breeding fund, etc.) to the amount paid by owners in nomination, eligibility, entry and starting fees.
The winner of the first Run for the Roses, Aristides, received $2,850. The runner-up, Volcano, received $200.
That makes for a grand total of $3,050, of which $2,050 was added money.
Kentucky Derby purse growth, distribution changes over years
Here's a look at how the Kentucky Derby purse has changed over the years:
- 1875: $1,000-added
- 1876-87: $1,500-added
- 1888-92, 1894-95: $2,500-added
- 1893: $3,000-added
- 1896-1912: $6,000-added
- 1913: $5,000-added
- 1914-16: $10,000-added
- 1917-18: $15,000-added
- 1919: $20,000-added
- 1920, 1934: $30,000-added
- 1935-36: $40,000-added
- 1921-33, 1937-39: $50,000-added
- 1940-45: $75,000-added
- 1946-54: $100,000-added
- 1955-78: $125,000-added
- 1979-81: $200,000-added
- 1982-85: $250,000-added
- 1986-90: $350,000-added
- 1991-95: $500,000-added
- 1996-2004: $1 million guaranteed
- 2005-18: $2 million guaranteed
- 2019-23: $3 million guaranteed
- 2024-2026: $5 million guaranteed
Between 1875-85, only the first- and second-place finishers received payouts. That changed in 1886; when Free Knight was awarded $150 for placing third.
Now the top five collect checks. Here's how the purse has been distributed since 2024:
- First place: $3.1 million
- Second place: $1 million
- Third place: $500,000
- Fourth place: $250,000
- Fifth place: $150,000
How much money is wagered on Kentucky Derby each year?
Wagering at the first Derby, according to the race's official website, was done via auction pools.
How'd that work? Bettors would bid on their desired horse, and once the entire field was auctioned off, all the winning bids were pooled together. The bettor who backed the winning horse won the whole pot.
Pari-mutuel betting was first introduced three years later but didn't catch on until 1908, when bookmaking was outlawed in Louisville. In 1911, the minimum bet amount was lowered from $5 to $2.
Money really started flowing in with the advent of simulcast wagering during the early 1980s. It hasn't slowed down since — and shouldn't, considering the widespread legalization of sports gambling and the accessibility of mobile sportsbook apps.
Here's a look at the all-sources handle for Derby Day over the past four decades:
- 1984: $25,009,276
- 1985: $26,805,205
- 1986: $33,046,562
- 1987: $34,405,461
- 1988: $41,015,694
- 1989: $36,945,894
- 1990: $42,227,280
- 1991: $42,724,449
- 1992: $43,448,786
- 1993: $52,362,661
- 1994: $58,826,098
- 1995: $67,840,867
- 1996: $75,405,564
- 1997: $82,677,468
- 1998: $88,941,832
- 1999: $90,843,598
- 2000: $101,455,291
- 2001: $107,598,904
- 2002: $123,243,228
- 2003: $140,373,426
- 2004: $142,848,289
- 2005: $155,793,495
- 2006: $175,129,090
- 2007: $168,018,982
- 2008: $164,668,176
- 2009: $155,969,770
- 2010: $162,749,136
- 2011: $165,230,636
- 2012: $186,960,855
- 2013: $184,600,256
- 2014: $186,639,424
- 2015: $194,271,295
- 2016: $192,587,197
- 2017: $209,179,920
- 2018: $225,671,089
- 2019: $250,900,257
- 2020: $126,033,002
- 2021: $233,030,397
- 2022: $273,800,000
- 2023: $288,700,000
- 2024: $320,500,000
- 2025: $349,000,000
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby 2026, how much is purse for Churchill's Run for Roses
Continue reading...
