Did You Know?: A history of Derby facts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - There is a lot of history behind the longest continual running sporting event in the United States and here at Churchill Downs, history fills every hall, every room and even every cup.

In 2024 The Run for the Roses celebrates 150 years. Did you know a radio and television sportscaster and sports columnist made up the nickname for the Kentucky Derby?

“The Run for the Roses was said to be coined by a gentleman named Bill Corum who was a sportswriter in New York sometimes I think around the 1920′s,” shared Chris Goodlet, Derby Museum Historian and Curatorial Director.

Goodlet cares for and knows about the Kentucky Derby’s most precious items.

“He eventually became president of Churchill Downs from 1950-1959,” he shared about Corum.

Did you know the rose was not the official flower of the Kentucky Derby immediately? That took some time.

“1904 seems to be the year that Churchill recognizes the rose as the official flower of the Kentucky Derby,” explained Goodlet. “The rose garland actually becomes an official part associated with the Derby in 1932 when leadership at the track under Matt Winn worked with Ms. Grace Walker to create the first official garland.”

The twin spires at Churchill Down were built by Joseph Baldez in 1895.

“Which is a noted iconic symbol of Churchill Downs,” boasts Goodlet. “They were ornamental in nature. He thought they looked nice. He created them. He of course had no idea at the time they’d become this iconic part of that structure.”

While under those twin spires you can find many sipping a cool beverage. Did you know because of the chipped or crushed ice in mint juleps the need for a little assistance getting to that beverage was needed?

The solution was a hollow stalk of ryegrass which could be used as a straw and was for more than half a century.

“Mint julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, has been since about 1938-1939. Churchill downs sales, through Oaks and Derby, just those two days they sell approximately 127,000 mint juleps.”

Did you know the 150th Kentucky Derby Trophy features 196 rubies, 96 marquise emeralds, and 36 round emeralds creating a garland of roses draped across the withers of a horse with 12 diamonds on the cover cape beneath the horse, 36 rubies on the horseshoe-shaped wreath handles and eight diamonds within the horseshoe on the front of the trophy?

“That solid gold trophy, 14k solid gold, they’ve had one design since 1924 and that’s given to the owner of the winning horse each year,” explained Goodlet. “They make a new solid gold trophy annually.”

It is the place every horse owner and jockey want to be, but did you know it took a little over 60 years before that most coveted spot in Churchill Downs was highlighted and upgraded for its most prestigious attendees?

“The hallowed ground, that winners circle, were only the Kentucky Derby winner stands each year, that’s been in existence since 1938,” shared Goodlet.

For more fun horse racing history and Derby trivia you can visit the Derby Museum or click this link for fun facts and a schedule of events and exhibits.