Aristides wins the first Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (1875)

The first Kentucky Derby occurred on May 17, 1875, at the Louisville Jockey Club Grounds. A field of 15 three-year-old horses contested the 1.5-mile race before an estimated crowd of 10,000. Aristides, trained by Ansel Williamson and ridden by Oliver Lewis, won the inaugural event.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. organized the Louisville Jockey Club to build racing facilities. The first Derby was run at 1.5 miles. The track was not named Churchill Downs until 1884, and the current 1.25-mile distance was established in 1896.

Race Details. The inaugural race took place on May 17, 1875, at the Louisville Jockey Club Grounds. It was a 1.5-mile run contested by 15 three-year-old horses. An estimated crowd of 10,000 people attended the event, which was the first running of the annually recurring race.

Winner. Aristides, a colt trained by Ansel Williamson, won the inaugural Derby. He was ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis. Williamson is noted as a future Hall of Famer. The race was run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds.

People involved

Sources

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