Introduction
Horse racing is one of the oldest and most revered sports in the world. Every year, some of the best horses in the world gather in the United States to compete in the Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious race in the country. Thousands of people flock to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky each year to witness the pageantry and excitement of the “fastest two minutes in sports.” But how many horses typically compete in the Kentucky Derby? Let’s take a closer look at the history and current state of the race to find out.
History of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875, and it has been held every year since then. The race was created by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of William Clark from the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. Clark had traveled to England and was inspired by the famous Epsom Derby, and he wanted to bring the same level of prestige and excitement to the United States.
Changes to the Race Over Time
The Kentucky Derby has changed quite a bit over the years. Originally, the race was 1.5 miles long, but it was eventually shortened to its current distance of 1.25 miles. The number of horses competing in the race has also changed over time, with the maximum number of horses increasing from 15 in the early days to the current maximum of 20 horses.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby, a horse must meet certain requirements. The horse must have been born in the United States and have a three-year-old age or older. Additionally, the horse must have competed in at least one of the designated Derby Preps in the year prior to the Kentucky Derby.
The Number of Horses Competing in Recent Races
The number of horses competing in the Kentucky Derby has been fairly consistent in recent years, with an average of about 18 horses competing in the race each year. The highest number of horses to ever compete in the race was 20, which happened in 2005 and 2007. The lowest number of horses to ever compete in the race was 11, which happened in 1908.
Qualifying Races
The number of horses competing in the Kentucky Derby is determined by the results of the Derby Prep races. The top four finishers in each of the designated Derby Prep races are awarded points, and the top twenty horses with the most points are eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
Qualifying Points System
The points system used to determine eligibility for the Kentucky Derby is based on the “International Graded Stakes Committee” system. The points awarded for each Derby Prep race are as follows:
- Grade 1: 100-40-20-10
- Grade 2: 50-20-10-5
- Grade 3: 20-8-4-2
The Kentucky Derby Field
The Kentucky Derby field is made up of the top twenty horses with the most qualifying points. If a horse is disqualified or scratched due to injury, then the next horse in line with the most points will take its place in the field.
Determining Post Positions
Once the field is set, the horses are assigned post positions during the post position draw. The horses are sorted by the total number of qualifying points they have earned, with the horse with the most points being assigned the coveted number one post position.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious and exciting horse races in the world. Every year, up to 20 horses compete in the race, with the top four finishers in each of the designated Derby Prep races being eligible to compete. The number of horses competing in the race can vary from year to year, but the average is usually around 18 horses.
References
- Kentucky Derby. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.kentuckyderby.com/
- Gilligan, M. (2020, August 28). Everything you need to know about the Kentucky Derby. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.cbssports.com/horse-racing/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-kentucky-derby/
- Kentucky Derby Points System. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.kentuckyderby.com/prep_tracker/kentucky_derby_points_system