When is the 2027 Kentucky Derby?
The 2027 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 1st, at Churchill Downs, Louisville. Fresh from Cherie DeVaux's historic 2026 win with Golden Tempo, the Derby remains the pinnacle of US horse racing, drawing global interest for its elite three-year-old field, pageantry, and tradition. The day features several major stakes races, making it a highlight of the racing calendar. Fans can catch it live on ITV, RacingTV, or via online streams such as bet365. The Triple Crown journey begins here, continuing with the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
- We bring you the dates and vital information about the 2027 Kentucky Derby
- The Kentucky Derby takes place at Chruchill Downs on Saturday 1st May in 2027
When is the 2027 Kentucky Derby?
The 2027 Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs on Saturday 1st May, 2027.
Who won the last Kentucky Derby?
Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, as outsider Golden Tempo flew home to beat favourite Renegade in 2026.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race in the United States and one of the biggest events in global horse racing. Held annually at Churchill Downs, the race is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds and is run over a distance of one and a quarter miles on dirt.
Often referred to as “The Run for the Roses” because of the blanket of roses presented to the winner, the Kentucky Derby is the opening leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The race is known for its huge crowds, traditions, fashion and betting interest, with millions of viewers tuning in from around the world each year.
What other races are run on Kentucky Derby day?
Kentucky Derby day features a packed card of top-class racing at Churchill Downs, with several major graded stakes races taking place alongside the main event. The supporting races often attract some of the best sprinters, turf horses and older runners in North America, making the entire day one of the highlights of the racing calendar.
Where is the Dubai World Cup run?
The Kentucky Derby is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The famous racecourse has hosted the Kentucky Derby every year since the race was first run in 1875 and is one of the most iconic venues in horse racing.
Which horses will run in the Kentucky Derby?
Only the best three-year-old colts in America will take part in the Kentucky Derby. Horses who impress as juveniles often make the step up into Classic company at three. Some key trials for the Kentucky Derby include the San Felipe Derby, the Rebel Stakes, the Santa Anita Derby, the Wood Memorial and the Floirda Derby.
Where can I watch the 2027 Kentucky Derby?
The 2027 Kentucky Derby will be shown live on ITV and RacingTV. If you plan on watching the racing via your mobile or tablet, then bookmakers such as bet365 will allow you to stream the race live.
Kentucky Derby Live Streaming
The bet365 live streaming service covers a wide range of horse racing on a daily basis. Here's how to stream the 2027 Kentucky Derby live online:
- Visit bet365 > live streaming > horse racing
- Log-in or register for an account (use the bet365 bonus code NEWBONUS if opening a new account)
- Registered depositing users can then watch and bet on live horse racing.
To watch a bet365 live stream users must be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. 18+, geo-restrictions & terms and conditions apply.
Open Account Offer: Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way.
Dubai World Cup History
The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875 after Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark visited England and watched the Epsom Derby, which sparked the idea of running a Derby in America.
It was first run over 2400m, the same as the Epsom Derby but the Kentucky Derby was changed to 2012m in 1896 to better suit the conditions of the race.
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, which also features the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
There have been numerous champion thoroughbreds win the Kentucky Derby, including Secretariat and American Pharoah. Both horses captured the imagination of the betting public with their classy displays of running.
Secretariat banded the nation during some tough times and his record time still stand above the rest.
American Pharoah was the most popular recent winner of the Kentucky Derby and it would later win the Triple Crown at Belmont Park.
He was the first horse to do win all three races since Affirmed in 1978.
The Bob Baffert-trained colt captured the imagination of race goers and although its career was cut short by stud duties.
Baffert scored his fourth Kentucky Derby win with American Pharoah but he trails Ben A Jones, who won six times as a trainer.
Names such as California Chrome, Animal Kingdom, Big Brown and Smarty Jones have all won the Kentucky Derby, which kick-started their great careers.
War Admiral won the Triple Crown in 1937 and would later contest the Match Race of the Century against Seabiscuit in 1938.
That race would later be the focal point of the movie "Seabiscuit" and it popularised horse racing in the movie industry.
Betting is big business on the Derby with $187 million being wagered in 2012.
Only the first five runners home receive a share of the purse, which differs from most of the biggest races around the world.
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