The Kentucky Derby was born from inspiration flowing from European racing when Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr, grandson of the famous explorer William Clark, decided to create a similar event in America after visiting England and France in 1872. Three years later, on May 17, 1875, the first edition of the race, which in time was to become a legend in American sports, was held at the newly built Churchill Downs track.

The first winner of the Kentucky Derby was a stallion named Aristides, ridden by African-American jockey Oliver Lewis. It is worth noting that in the early years of the race's existence, African-American jockeys dominated the Kentucky Derby - they won 15 of the first 28 editions. Their contribution to the history of the event is invaluable, although it has often been overlooked in official narratives over the years.

Over the years, the Kentucky Derby has evolved to become the first part of the prestigious Triple Crown of horse racing, alongside the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. To earn this highest honor in American horse racing, a horse must win all three races in a single season - a feat only 13 horses in history have accomplished.

One of the most memorable moments in Kentucky Derby history was when the legendary Secretariat won in 1973. This exceptional horse not only won, but set a track record of 1:59 2/5, which remains unbeaten to this day. Secretariat has gone down in history as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, and his performance at the Kentucky Derby is often described as one of the finest displays of athletic dominance.

No less fascinating are the stories of unexpected winners. The biggest sensation in Derby history was the triumph of a horse named Donerail in 1913, who won at odds of 91:1. This meant that lucky betting holders on this horse received $184.90 for every $2 bet - an astronomical sum for the time.

The year 1915 brought another historic moment, when a mare named Regret became the first mare to win the Kentucky Derby. Her victory significantly increased the popularity of the race among women and helped cement the Derby's position as an event of national importance.

Inherent in the Kentucky Derby are distinctive traditions that over the years have become as important as the race itself. One of the most recognizable is the wreath of roses with which the winning horse is decorated. This tradition, which began in 1932, has earned the Kentucky Derby the nickname 'Run for the Roses'. The wreath consists of more than 400 red roses sewn onto green cloth and symbolizes the glory and prestige of victory.

Another iconic tradition is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby - the Mint Julep, a cocktail based on bourbon, mint, sugar and crushed ice, served in distinctive silver cups. More than 120,000 of these drinks are sold each year during Derby weekend, making it an integral part of the Kentucky Derby experience.

Also not to be missed is the tradition of singing 'My Old Kentucky Home,' a nostalgic song composed by Stephen Foster in 1853. Since 1921, the song has been performed by orchestra and audience as the horses take to the track before the race, creating an emotional moment that for many is quintessential to the spirit of the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs, Louisville's iconic racetrack, is inextricably linked to the Kentucky Derby, hosting the prestigious event continuously since 1875. The track's distinctive twin towers, erected in 1895, have become one of the most recognizable symbols not only of horse racing, but of American sports culture.

The track was named in honor of John and Henry Churchill, who donated the land for its construction to his nephew, the aforementioned Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. Initially, the facility was much more modest than it is today, but over the years it grew to accommodate more and more spectators attracted by the growing fame of the Kentucky Derby.

Today's Churchill Downs is an impressive complex that can accommodate a record number of spectators - a record attendance was set in 2023, when 175,513 people watched the race live. That's more than the population of many medium-sized cities! By comparison, the previous record was 163,628 spectators and was set in 1973, during the legendary Secretariat run.

Churchill Downs' main track is one mile long and 80 feet wide, with long straights and relatively tight turns, making it technically challenging for horses and jockeys. In addition to the main track, the complex also has a 7/8-mile indoor track, used mainly for shorter distance races.

In 2005, Churchill Downs underwent a major $121 million renovation, which included the construction of luxury boxes, upgrades to the grandstands and infrastructure improvements. Despite these changes, the facility retained its historic character, and the twin towers remained intact as a testament to its rich tradition.

Churchill Downs is not only the site of the Kentucky Derby - it hosts numerous races and events throughout the year. The track is also open to the public outside of the racing season, offering guided tours that give a behind-the-scenes look at this legendary facility.

Adjacent to the track is the Kentucky Derby Museum, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. In 2024, the museum broke an attendance record, hosting 258,382 visitors. The museum's exhibits include interactive exhibits, memorabilia from racing history and even a horse race simulator, allowing visitors to feel the excitement of jockeys during the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs is also home to fascinating financial stories. Betting is an integral part of Kentucky Derby culture, and the amounts wagered during the event are impressive. In 2017, the total amount of bets placed on the day of the Kentucky Derby was $209.2 million, a 9% increase over the previous year. The TwinSpires online platform alone recorded a turnover of $32.8 million, which represented a 22% year-on-year increase.

Also worth mentioning is the pari-mutuel betting system used during the Kentucky Derby, where players bet against each other rather than against the bookmaker. This system, introduced in America just at Churchill Downs in 1908, revolutionized the way horse racing is bet on and is still used today.

Churchill Downs is also a place where different social strata meet. While wealthy guests occupy the exclusive Millionaires Row boxes, thousands of racing fans party in the famous infield - the inner field of the track, where the atmosphere is more like a music festival than an elegant sporting event. This dichotomy is one of the most fascinating aspects of the Kentucky Derby - the event simultaneously attracts the social elite in extravagant hats and ordinary fans looking for fun and betting excitement.

The Kentucky Derby is much more than just a horse race - it is a true social phenomenon that has become an integral part of American culture over the nearly 150 years of its existence. The event combines elements of sports, fashion, culinary and Southern traditions to create a unique experience that attracts people from all walks of life and social status.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Kentucky Derby is the fashion, particularly the extravagant hats worn by the women. This tradition dates back to the early days of the race, when the event's founder, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. wanted to attract the social elite to the track and give the event an elegant feel. Nowadays, hats have become a form of artistic expression - the more sophisticated and extravagant, the better. Some of them are true works of art, decorated with flowers, feathers, ribbons and even miniature figures of horses.

The tradition of wearing hats is so ingrained in the culture of the Kentucky Derby that competitions for the most beautiful or original hat are held annually. For many visitors, preparing the right headgear is as important as the race itself, and hat designers from around the country prepare special collections dedicated to the event.

The Kentucky Derby also attracts numerous celebrities from the worlds of politics, business, sports and entertainment. In 2007, among the guests was even Queen Elizabeth II, a great lover of horses, who specially came to Louisville to attend this prestigious event. The presence of celebrities further raises the profile of the event and attracts media attention from around the world.

It is also worth mentioning the economic importance of the Kentucky Derby for Louisville and the entire state of Kentucky. It is estimated that the event generates more than $400 million annually for the local economy. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores and even local breweries and bourbon distilleries see a significant increase in business in the run-up to the Derby and during the event itself.

The Kentucky Derby also has a significant charitable dimension. Churchill Downs and the race's organizers partner with numerous nonprofit organizations to support initiatives related to education, health and animal welfare. The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, established in 1956, funds scholarships for talented youth and supports community programs in the region.

The Kentucky Derby's impact on popular culture should also not be overlooked. The race has been depicted in countless movies, books and songs, becoming a symbol of the Southern way of life and American tradition. Writer Hunter S. Thompson, in his famous essay 'The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved' (1970), presented a colorful, if somewhat exaggerated, picture of the social contrasts evident at the event.

The Kentucky Derby is also an important part of America's sports heritage. As the oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States, the race is a living testament to the evolution of American sports and entertainment. Over the years, the rules have changed, the prizes have increased (the winner now receives more than $3 million), but the spirit of the event has remained the same.

It is also worth mentioning the influence of the Kentucky Derby on the development of the breeding of English thoroughbreds in America. Success at Churchill Downs can increase a stallion's breeding value to astronomical sums. Secretariat, for example, after his racing career ended, was sold for $6.08 million (the equivalent of about $40 million by today's standards) and became one of the most influential sires in history.

The Kentucky Derby is also an event that brings generations together. Many families cultivate a tradition of watching the race together, preparing traditional foods and drinks, and even betting on the results. For Kentuckians, it's not just a race - it's part of their identity and a source of pride.

All in all, the Kentucky Derby is much more than a two-minute horse race - it's a multifaceted cultural experience that, for nearly a century and a half of its existence, has become an iconic American tradition, combining sports, fashion, culinary and Southern lifestyle into one unforgettable event.