When we talk about the Kentucky Derby 2025 Prize Money Breakdown, the purse is the same as last year, $5 million. The 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET. Mystik Dan, trained by Kenny McPeek, is the defending champion.
In the minds of thousands of spectators, the Derby assumes final importance. Since Aristides won the first race in 1875. The Derby has evolved into an imposing horse race, having received praise as one of the ultimate major sporting events of America.
The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is the first jewel of the Triple Crown, which is a series of races: the Preakness Stakes in two weeks in Baltimore, and the final jewel, the Belmont Stakes, three weeks thereafter in New York. Any horse winning all three races will be known as a Triple Crown winner, but that’s a little too far ahead.
More Stuff:
Kentucky Derby 2025 Prize Money Breakdown: How Much the Winner Takes Home
The total price of money for the Kentucky Derby 2025 is $5 million. When we talk about the prize money breakdown, the winner takes $3.1 million. Earlier, this was the entire prize money for the 2023 race. Following the second place gets $1 million. The third, fourth, and fifth-place finishers get $250,000, $200,000, and $150,000, respectively.
Favourites to win the race
Any sport is surely unpredictable, as anyone having a good day can surely win. Surely they are the favourites going into all the sporting events. Let us have a look at some of the favourites:
Journalism
The five-horse bay colt by Curlin out of multiple-graded stakes winner Mopotism is very much the Derby’s leading candidate. Michael McCarthy trains, and Umberto Rispoli rides him. In addition to the Los Alamitos Futurity, San Felipe Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby, he boasts a record of 4 wins and a third from 5 starts.
Sandman
Based on an Arkansas Derby win in Grade I, Sandman, a gray colt and son of Tapit, arrives at the Derby. Mark Casse-trained, he has shown to be resilient and versatile as he has come off a troubled trip in the Southwest Stakes to finish pretty strongly in second. Very fast currents and jockeying through one traffic make him tough, especially in this race that is expected to be run at a fast early speed.
Luxor Cafe
A Japanese-trained colt, he is a full brother to Cafe Pharoah and has recently made headlines with a magnificent four-race winning streak. Crowned with success in the Hyacinth Stakes on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. His pedigree comprises that of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and international deliverance that bestows him into this strong pedigree. Fast closing was demonstrated in the Fukuryu Stakes.
American Promise
An American-bred chestnut colt sired by the 2018 Triple Crown champion Justify, trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. American Promise made a name for himself when he won the Virginia Derby while setting a new track record for a mile and an eighth in a time of 1:46.41, prevailing by 7¾ lengths. Consequently, he secured 50 qualifying points towards the Kentucky Derby.
Render Judgment
Already trained by Kenny McPeek, Render Judgment counters across many tracks and conditions. He was last seen coming in second in the Virginia Derby, taking home 20 qualifying points towards a total of 29. Render Judgment, interestingly, is partly owned by Dream Walkin’ Farms – the racing operation of the late Toby Keith. Fulfilling his dream of having a horse run in the Kentucky Derby.
Where to watch the Kentucky Derby 2025?
| Region | Platform(s) |
|---|---|
| United States | NBC, Peacock, USA Network, NBC Sports, FanDuel TV, YouTube TV, Fubo |
| India | Sony Pictures Network, Sony LIV, FanCode |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports, Racing TV, Now TV |
| Ireland | Virgin Media 2 |
| Canada | Citytv |
| Australia | Kayo Sports, ESPN via Foxtel |
| Japan | Netkeiba |
| Europe (Various) | NBC, Peacock, USA Network, NBC Sports, FanDuel TV, YouTube TV, Fubo |
| Middle East & Africa | Abu Dhabi Media (MENA), SuperSport |
| South America & Caribbean | ESPN, Disney+ |
| Global (In-flight & Maritime) | Sport 24 |
