The Kentucky Derby is a major festival and celebration – not just for Kentuckians
1. The first Kentucky Derby was run in 1875.
2. The name “Run for the Roses” was coined by a columnist, New York sports columnist Bill Corum, in 1925 writing about the event and referencing the blanket of roses draped on the winning horse.
3. In 1970, Diane Crump became the first woman to ride in the Derby.
4. Only 6 women have ridden in the famed “Run for the Roses”: Diane Crump, Patti Cooksey, Andrea Seefeldt, Julie Krone, Rosemary Homeister and Rosie Napravnik.
5. The Kroger Company has been the official florist of the Kentucky Derby since 1987. After taking over the duties from the Kingsley Walker florist, Kroger began constructing the prestigious garland in one of its local stores for the public to view on Derby Eve.
The event will take place on Friday, May 6th, at the Middletown Kroger store located at 12501 Shelbyville Road, in Louisville, KY. The best time for visitors to see the crafting of this year’s Garland will be from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Derby Eve. Last year, more than 6,000 people came to see this all-night event.
6. The Rose Garland on average weighs 40 pounds!
7. Age is Just A Number: Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton was the youngest jockey in Derby history to win a race. He was 15 years old when he won in 1892. The oldest jockey to win was Willie Shoemaker, who won the 1986 race at age 54.
8. The Derby is routinely held on the First Saturday of May
9. Take That Cloudy Skies! No Derby has ever been postponed due to weather!
10. Only three fillies (young female horses) have won the Derby: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988).
Want more fun Derby facts?
You can see 138 Different Facts about the Derby, courtesy of the official website: CLICK HERE
Sources:
www.KentuckyDerby.com; The Kroger Company; The Huffington Post