Kentucky Derby

A Thoroughbred Partnership’s Dream

“The Run for the Roses”, 554 roses to be exact, woven together into a magnificent blanket that is draped over the winner of the most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing event in North America. The Kentucky Derby has been steeped in history since its inception in 1875 when Aristides won the inaugural event. The event was mirrored after the Epsom Derby and originally run at 1 ½ miles until 1896 when it was changed to its current distance of 1 ¼ miles. Restricted to three year old horses, and predominantly colts or geldings, this race has produced some of the most influential thoroughbreds in all of horse racing.

Not only does the Kentucky Derby represent the most prestigious race of the year in North America, but it marks the beginning of the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is a series of three races for three year olds that begins with the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, then the Preakness Stakes on the third Saturday in May, and finally ends with the Belmont Stakes which is raced five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. From the inception of the Triple Crown only 11 horses have ever won all three and none have won since Affirmed in 1978. Year after year this journey of three hard fought races proves to be the toughest feat in thoroughbred horse racing.

The Kentucky Derby is the one event that most anyone who has little or no knowledge of the sport knows about. It’s a tradition and event that is held in high regard and one of the biggest reasons that new owners come into the game. The dream of winning the Kentucky Derby or merely being on “The Derby Trail” is something that every owner in the game dreams about. It can be hard to explain or express but when “Derby Fever” hits, you know that your passion for the game has taken over.  All of the tough times you have gone through, and all of the money you have invested doesn’t seem to matter. You just want to compete at the highest level in the game, The Kentucky Derby.

The Beauty of the Kentucky Derby is that anyone and any horse in the race has a legitimate chance to win. Unlike other sports or competitions, it doesn’t matter how much you spent on your horse or if you are the sole owner or part of a thoroughbred partnership because time and time again long shots continue to prevail in this prestigious race. In 2003 Funny Cide, a $75,000 purchase by 6 long-time friends and novices to the game put together a horse racing partnership and ended up winning the $1 million purse in the Kentucky Derby.  Their venture into the game with the dream of winning the Derby changed their lives forever and gave them an experience and prestige that only a select few will ever get to experience. Recently, continued success has been enjoyed by another horse racing partnership in the Kentucky Derby. The 2011 winner, Animal Kingdom, is owned by a thoroughbred partnership, Team Valor. Once again showing that winning the Kentucky Derby does not depend on a single owner but can consist of many owners coming together to live their dream.

In the next few weeks when you tune in to the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, throw a Derby party and celebrate this great tradition as they wood at the track. Make the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep, and ladies make sure to wear the most extravagant and elegant hat you can find! Then you will be enjoying the event in full fashion!

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!