The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

The Kentucky Derby: "The Run for the Roses"

Title

The Kentucky Derby: "The Run for the Roses"

Subject

Kentucky Derby

Description

The Kentucky Derby is a one-and-one-quarter-mile stake race for three-year-old Thoroughbred colts, geldings, and fillies. The Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks are the oldest continuously contested American sporting events and the only Thoroughbred stakes races run annually at the same site since it began in 1875. Not only will one see horses, hats, seersucker, and bow ties, the Derby has evolved into an entire month of celebrations throughout Louisville known as The Kentucky Derby Festival. The Festival began in 1956 with the Pegasus Parade, produced for a mere $640. The premise of the early festival was to create a celebration allowing the entire community to participate in the excitement around the Kentucky Derby. Despite being postponed in 2020, the Festival is still going strong, starting off with a bang at Thunder Over Louisville, and moving into some classics including the Balloon Fest, Pegasus Parade, and the Great Steamboat Race. Here are a few items from our collections that represent the most exciting two minutes in sports history, along with all the fanfare.

Creator

unknown

Source

Subject Photograph Collection, The Filson Historical Society

Date

undated

Rights

This image is issued by The Filson Historical Society. Property rights in the collection belong to The Filson Historical Society. The user is responsible for copyright issues. Permission for use of this image for ANY reason should be obtained by contacting Filson's Curator of Collections via research@filsonhistorical.org.

Format

black-and-white photographs

Type

Still Images

Collection Items

  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/HRA-9.jpg

    Jockey Ronald "Ron" Turcotte riding Riva Ridge to the win at the 1972 Kentucky Derby. Turcotte is best known as the rider of Secretariat, winner of the U. S. Triple Crown the next year, 1973.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/995PC10_09_web.jpg

    View of crowds at Churchill Downs, ca. 1930s. Women in hats and dresses can be seen walking around.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/EPA-18.jpg

    Old Forester and Brown Forman Distillery Kentucky Derby Festival Parade flat, ca. 1956-1967.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/Kentucky-Derby-Bar.jpg

    Kentucky Derby Bar Straight Bourbon Whiskey label. Produced by Glenmore Distilleries, ca. 1940.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/BOS-11.jpg

    Back of photo reads "The first steamboat race in more than 30 years will line the banks of the Ohio River near Louisville with spectators April 30 when the Delta Queen and the Belle of Louisville vie as a feature of the Kentucky Derby Festival." February 1968.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PR530_0006.jpg

    Article from "Spirit of the Times," 4 August 1877 about the sale of racehorse Baden-Baden. Jockey Williams "Billy" Walker rode Baden-Baden to win the 3rd Kentucky Derby in 1877. Walker was the leading rider at Churchill Downs in the fall racing season of 1875-1876 and the spring campaigns of 1876-1878. Baden-Baden was sold after the Derby to William Backhouse Astor, Jr. of New York.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/992PC40_72_web.jpg

    General Electric Appliance Park Parade Float going down Broadway with the Commonwealth garage in the background during the Pegasus Parade, ca. 1960s.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/HRA-33.jpg

    Vintage postcard, Greetings from Louisville, KY. Today's "Long Shot" at Churchill Downs, undated.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/995PC10_11_web.jpg

    View of crowds at Churchill Downs, ca. 1930s. People in hats are walking around, and many parked cars are in the background.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/HRA-21.jpg

    On Monday, May 17, 1875, Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. decided to rally the crowds for the Derby and opened the infield to the public free of charge, according to one source. The last nail was hammered into the new grandstand moments before the gate opened and the first racing fans entered. Derby Day at Churchill Downs postcard, ca. 1920-1930s.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/EPA-16.jpg

    Originating in 1956 on a budget of only $640, the annual Pegasus Parade is the Kentucky Derby Festival's oldest event. This photograph shows a U. S. Army Armor Center parade float, ca. 1960s.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/Women-in-hats_986PC2_p8_AL-02.jpg

    Kentucky Derby hats are a long-standing tradition started by women; however men have taken part in the tradition as well over the years. For well-to-do late 19th and early 20th century women, Derby day was an opportunity to be seen in the latest fashions.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/992PC40_05_web.jpg

    Kentucky Derby display, photograph by Jimmie Wallace, ca. 1960s.

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