Here is a collection of over 50 plus trivia questions and answers on the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby is held annually at Churchill Downs and isn’t just about horses thundering down the track. It has become a tradition that is now woven into the fabric of American culture.
Did you know that the inaugural Derby in 1875 had a winning purse of only $2,850, a far cry from today’s multimillion-dollar stakes?
As we explore the simplest to toughest questions, find cool stories about famous riders, really fast times, and why everyone loves the exciting “Run for the Roses.”
So, grab the reins tight, and let’s ride into the fun world of Kentucky Derby trivia!
Table of contents
Easy Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions and Answers
Discover the fun of the Kentucky Derby with these simple trivia questions and answers. Find out about famous horses, exciting moments, and Derby traditions. From well-known jockeys to big wins, these questions are easy and make for a fun quiz about the legendary horse racing event.
Question 1: What is the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Mint julep
Question 2: How many red roses are made for the race to be draped over the winning horse?
Answer: More than 400
Question 3: Who was the first woman jockey to ever ride in the Derby?
Answer: Diane Crump
Question 4: What is the name of the blanket sewn with over 400 roses post-race?
Answer: The Run for the Roses
Question 5: Who holds the record for most Kentucky Derby wins as an owner?
Answer: Calumet Farm with 8 wins
Question 6: Who holds the record for most Kentucky Derby wins as a trainer?
Answer: Ben Jones with 6 wins
Question 7: What is the record low temperature at the race?
Answer: 47 degrees in 1935 and 1957
Question 8: What is the record high temperature at the race?
Answer: 94 degrees in 1959
Question 9: How many hot dogs are said to be consumed at the Derby each year?
Answer: 142,000
Question 10: Which three horses have won the Derby as fillies?
Answer: Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors
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Hard Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions and Answers
Take on the ultimate challenge with these tricky Kentucky Derby trivia questions and answers. Explore the less-known facts about famous horses, historic victories, and jockey tales.
From puzzling details to behind-the-scenes stories, these questions are a tough but exciting way to test your Derby knowledge. Get ready to impress as you tackle this quiz and uncover the secrets of the iconic horse racing event.
Question 1: Who holds the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby time?
Answer: Secretariat, with a time of 1:59.40 in 1973.
Question 2: In what year did the Kentucky Derby have its first official running?
Answer: 1875.
Question 3: Name the jockey who won the Kentucky Derby five times in the 1930s.
Answer: Eddie Arcaro.
Question 4: What is the largest field size ever in the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: 23 horses in 1974.
Question 5: Which horse won the Kentucky Derby with the longest odds in history?
Answer: Donerail, at 91-1 in 1913.
Question 6: Who is the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times in a row?
Answer: Isaac Murphy in 1884, 1885, and 1886.
Question 7: What is the nickname of Churchill Downs’ iconic grandstand?
Answer: The Twin Spires.
Question 8: Which horse won the Kentucky Derby on a muddy track by the largest margin?
Answer: Assault, by 8 lengths in 1946.
Question 9: Who was the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner?
Answer: Helen Pitts, with Street Sense in 2007.
Question 10: Name the only horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup.
Answer: Animal Kingdom in 2011.
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Kentucky Derby Trivia Game
Join the fun with our Kentucky Derby Trivia Game! It’s a cool way to learn and have a good time. Play with friends or solo, and discover interesting facts about famous horses and Derby traditions.
No matter if you’re new or a Derby expert, our game is a simple and enjoyable way to celebrate the excitement of the Kentucky Derby.
Question 1: Which horse is known as “The Gray Ghost” and won the Kentucky Derby in 2008?
Answer: Big Brown.
Question 2: What was the largest attendance recorded at the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: 170,513 in 2015.
Question 3: Who holds the record for the most Kentucky Derby wins as a trainer?
Answer: Ben Jones, with six victories.
Question 4: Which jockey rode War Emblem to victory in the 2002 Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Victor Espinoza.
Question 5: What is the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Mint Julep.
Question 6: In 1969, which horse won the Kentucky Derby but was later disqualified?
Answer: Dancer’s Image.
Question 7: Name the first international horse to win the Kentucky Derby.
Answer: Bold Arrangement in 1986.
Question 8: What is the official flower of the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: The red rose.
Question 9: Who was the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Bill Shoemaker at the age of 54 in 1986.
Question 10: In 1943, the Kentucky Derby was held on a different day and month due to World War II. What day and month was it held?
Answer: June 26th.
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Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions and Answers Printable
Make your Kentucky Derby party a blast with our printable trivia questions and answers! Whether you’re a big fan or just here for the fun, this easy-to-use game is perfect.
Learn cool facts about horses and the Derby while enjoying the race vibe. Just print it out, and you’re all set for a lively and entertaining Derby celebration!
Question 1: Which horse won the Kentucky Derby in 2019, breaking the “Apollo Curse” by not having raced as a two-year-old?
Answer: Country House.
Question 2: Who is the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes on two different horses?
Answer: Calvin Borel.
Question 3: What is the minimum age for a horse to compete in the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Three years old.
Question 4: Which state is home to the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Kentucky.
Question 5: What is the distance of the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs).
Question 6: Who was the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: Diane Crump in 1970.
Question 7: Which horse won the 2015 Kentucky Derby and went on to win the Triple Crown?
Answer: American Pharoah.
Question 8: In 1915, which horse set the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby time that stood for 57 years?
Answer: Regret.
Question 9: What is the traditional song played at the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Question 10: Which horse, known for its late-closing kick, won the Kentucky Derby in 1999?
Answer: Charismatic.
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Kentucky Derby Trivia Quiz Questions
Have a blast with our Kentucky Derby Trivia Quiz! It’s super fun and has questions for everyone. Learn cool stuff about famous horses and exciting moments.
No matter if you’re a Derby pro or just getting into it, this quiz is for you. Get ready for a good time and see who knows the most about the Kentucky Derby!
Question 1: Which jockey won the Kentucky Derby five times in a span of seven years during the 1990s?
Answer: Gary Stevens.
Question 2: What is the record time for the Kentucky Derby set by Secretariat in 1973?
Answer: 1:59.40.
Question 3: Name the only horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year (2018).
Answer: Justify.
Question 4: In 2005, the Kentucky Derby featured a dead-heat for second place. Name one of the two horses involved.
Answer: Afleet Alex or Closing Argument.
Question 5: What is the nickname of the Kentucky Derby trophy?
Answer: The Golden Rod.
Question 6: Who holds the record for the most Kentucky Derby wins as an owner?
Answer: Calumet Farm, with 8 victories.
Question 7: In 1968, which horse won the Kentucky Derby and set a record for the largest margin of victory?
Answer: Forward Pass.
Question 8: What is the weight carried by male horses in the Kentucky Derby?
Answer: 126 pounds.
Question 9: Which jockey, known as the “King of the Claimers,” won the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with Giacomo?
Answer: Mike E. Smith.
Question 10: Which trainer, often called “The Coach,” won the Kentucky Derby with Real Quiet in 1998?
Answer: Bob Baffert.
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Kentucky Derby Trivia Fun Facts
Explore the Kentucky Derby with our Fun Facts! Learn cool stuff about famous horses and big wins.
This is perfect for everyone, whether you’re a big fan or just curious. These fun facts make talking about the Derby easy and enjoyable.
Spice up your Derby experience with interesting insights that everyone can understand and enjoy!
- The first Kentucky Derby ran in 1875, making it the oldest continuously held horse race in the U.S.
- The Derby is nicknamed the “Run for the Roses” due to the garland of 554 red roses draped over the winner.
- Secretariat’s 1973 win set a record at 1:59.40, still unbeaten.
- Famed for mint juleps, the Derby serves over 120,000 of them during the event.
- Only three fillies have won, the last being Winning Colors in 1988.
- The iconic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs represent the racecourse’s trademark architecture.
- In 1945, the Derby was not run due to WWII restrictions.
- The highest attendance was 170,513 in 2015.
- Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack share the record for most jockey wins with five each.
- The Derby’s official drink, the Mint Julep, has been served since the 18th century.
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FAQs
The Kentucky Derby is the longest continually held sporting event in America, and it is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.
Cultural aspects of Kentucky include horse racing, bourbon, moonshine, coal, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, southern cuisine, barbecue, bluegrass music, college basketball, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Kentucky Colonel.
Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the race is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The Derby is known as “The Run for the Roses”, as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses.
Who has trained the most Kentucky Derby winners?
Ben Jones (left) with his son Jimmy, who also appears on this list, tops all trainers with six Kentucky Derby wins. In 14 years, he won with Lawrin (1938), Whirlaway (1941), Pensive (1944), Citation (1948), Ponder (1949) and Hill Gail (1952).
The racetrack is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated. With the infield open for the Kentucky Derby, the capacity of Churchill Downs is roughly 170,000.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Derby is more than just a horse race – it’s a treasure trove of amazing stories and exciting moments. Whether you’re a racing enthusiast or just love a good tale, these trivia questions have taken us on a thrilling journey through the Derby’s history.
So, whether you knew every answer or learned something new, we hope you’ve enjoyed this ride into the fascinating world of Kentucky Derby trivia!
References
- Parade.com – 45 Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions (With Answers), Fun Facts
- Proprofs.com – Kentucky Derby Trivia Quiz
- Townandcountrymag.com – 39 Kentucky Derby Facts That Will Surprise You
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