Kentucky Derby 2025 Payout: Winner’s Purse & Prize Money

Apr 21, 2025

Mystik Dan draped in the garland of roses (Photo by Horsephotos/Getty Images)

How Much Will the 2025 Kentucky Derby Winner Earn? Purse Breakdown & Payout Insights from Churchill Downs

The Kentucky Derby isn’t just the most iconic horse race in America—it’s also the most lucrative. As excitement builds for the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, 2025, fans and industry insiders alike are asking: How much money will the winning horse earn this year?

Let’s break down the Kentucky Derby purse payout, take a look at what was awarded in 2024, and what that means for the upcoming 2025 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

🏇 What Was the Kentucky Derby Purse in 2024?

The 150th Kentucky Derby, held in 2024, made history with a record-breaking $5 million purse, a significant increase from the $3 million awarded in previous years. That $2 million jump marked a major investment in the future of the sport and set a new standard for Triple Crown races.

2024 Kentucky Derby Payout Breakdown:

🥇 1st Place (Mystik Dan): $3.1 million
🥈 2nd Place (Sierra Leone): $1 million
🥉 3rd Place (Forever Young): $500,000
🏅 4th Place (Catching Freedom): $250,000
🎖 5th Place (T O Password): $150,000

The winning jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr., earned 10% of the first-place prize, taking home $310,000—a massive payday for a two-minute ride!

💰 Will the Purse Be Higher for the 151st Kentucky Derby?

It’s official: the 2025 Kentucky Derby purse will once again be $5 million, matching the record-breaking payout from Derby 150. Churchill Downs has confirmed that the purse will remain at this elevated level for the 151st Run for the Roses, continuing its commitment to elevating the prestige and stakes of America’s greatest horse race.

With $3.1 million going to the winner and sizable payouts for the top five finishers, the Kentucky Derby remains the richest race in the Triple Crown series—cementing its place as the most coveted prize in Thoroughbred racing.

🏆 How Does the Kentucky Derby Compare to Other Triple Crown Races?

In 2024, both the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes offered $2 million purses—less than half of what was awarded at the Kentucky Derby. That means the Derby is the most financially rewarding race in the Triple Crown, making it a must-win for owners, trainers, and jockeys alike.

📅 Don’t Miss the 2025 Kentucky Derby

The 151st Kentucky Derby takes place on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Whether you're betting on the favorite or cheering on a longshot, the stakes—financial and emotional—have never been higher.

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