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KY Derby History

The most widely known horse race in history - beloved by the social elite and the everyday man - began on May 17, 1875 as the brainchild of founder Col. M. Lewis Clark, following his tour of horse racing in Europe. The name "Churchill Downs" was first used in 1883 and the now famous Twin Spires were constructed in 1895. Always a national and international event to horse racing enthusiasts, the Derby did not become a US cultural icon until 1952 with the first televised Derby. The Kentucky Derby is the first race in the elusive Triple Crown, which includes the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes. For more Derby history, click here.

Call to Post

Tradition doesn't get any richer than the official Churchill Downs bugler, clad in a red fox hunting coat, sending forth the clear brass notes of the traditional "Call to Post" bugle call as this year's Derby contenders are led from the paddock to the starting gates. It's as if for a moment time stands still as 150,000 pairs of eyes at Churchill...and millions worldwide...focus on one man and what's to come.

My Old Kentucky Home

Stephen Foster, a proud son of Kentucky and famous composer of the 19th century, is also inexorably linked with the Derby. "My Old Kentucky Home" is not only the state song of Kentucky, but it has become the theme song of the Derby, not only being played before the race at the Downs, but also sung in homes across the South as part of the final traditions leading up to race time. It is said not a dry eye can be found in Churchill Downs when singing My Old Kentucky Home as everyone in the crowd becomes a Kentuckian during this moment.

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home
'Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day;
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy, and bright,
By'n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

Weep no more, my lady,
Oh weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the old Kentucky home far away.

They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door;
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight;
The time has come when the people have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the people may go;
A few more days and the trouble all will end
In the field where sugar-canes may grow;
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light,
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

Garland of Roses

Roses are synonymous with the Kentucky Derby and have been so since its first running. Colonel Clark, the founder of the Derby, adopted the rose as the race's official flower following the sensation created by presenting roses to all the ladies attending a Derby party. The tradition of the Garland of Roses started in 1932 when it was presented to Burgoo King, winner of the 58th Derby. The garland consists of exactly 554 red roses sown into a green satin backing. The "Crown" is a single rose in the center of the garland, representing the heart needed to reach the winner's circle.