Small margins
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most famous horse races on the planet, attracting huge interest every May. The latest edition marked the 150th running of the event and saw an +1800 outsider taking home the $3.1m top prize.
the photo finish creating an agonizing wait for bettors
Mystik Dan scraped home to victory by the narrowest of margins at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville after three horses crossed the finish line neck and neck. The photo finish created an agonizing delay for bettors as they waited to see which horse came out on top.
Bettors certainly put their money where their mouths were, with betting figures for the race and entire festival smashing previous records.
Hitting new levels
Early reports indicate that the handle for the big race across all sportsbooks was $210.7m, which is almost 12% higher than the record set last year. Betting over the 14 races on Saturday also set a new high of $320.5m, while the total wagers for the two days of racing hit $446.6m.
One of the most popular horse racing betting operators in the US is TwinSpires. This brand is an official partner of the Kentucky Derby as it is under the ownership of Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), the same company that owns the racetrack. Its handle for the day’s racing reached $92.1m in comparison to the previous record of $75.5m from 2023.
Plenty of attention
The Kentucky Derby continues to go from strength to strength, with many celebrities flocking to the track to see which horse will win the Garland of Roses. Some of those in attendance on Saturday included Jimmy Fallon, Martha Stewart, Kid Rock, and Travis Kelce.
two Japanese horses finished in the first five places
Each rendition brings more attention from overseas too. Demonstrating the international nature of the competition, two Japanese horses finished in the first five places of the Kentucky Derby.
Commenting on the event, CDI’s CEO Bill Carstanjen said that the strong interest reflects “the enduring spirit of sportsmanship, unity and the power of tradition.” He remarked how the introduction of a new paddock added to the overall experience for patrons and said that the company will continue looking at ways to innovate to enhance the viewing experience.