Has the Kentucky Derby ever been cancelled?

This year, the Kentucky Derby celebrates 150 years. It is the longest continuously held major sporting event in the United States. The Run for the Roses has been affected by national and world affairs that have taken place throughout its history, but it has remained a constant in America’s fabric. A stalwart presence, it has never been cancelled, but it has been postponed twice: during World War II and during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875. The Reconstruction Era of the South had not concluded, and the crowd at the inaugural running was probably mainly comprised of Kentuckians. If women wanted to attend, they had to have a male escort. Fourteen-year-old Matt Winn was part of the crowd who saw Aristides defeat fourteen rivals. The Kentucky Derby took several years to evolve into a national interest. 

The only time outside of the two postponements that the Derby was not run in May was in 1901, when it was held on April 29. His Eminence wired the field of five. 

Col. Matt Winn became vice president and general manager of Churchill Downs in 1902, and he helped transform the Kentucky Derby into America’s signature race. Three consecutive editions elevated the race’s profile: Donerail became the longest shot to win in 1913, Old Rosebud finished an astounding eight lengths ahead of the field in 1914 (an unsurpassed record that has been tied three times), and Regret became the first of three fillies to win the race in 1915. 

In 1919, Sir Barton was the first horse to accomplish what would become known as the Triple Crown, although The New York Times didn’t coin the phrase until 1930, when Gallant Fox swept the series. 

The race was permanently moved to the first Saturday in May in 1931. This was largely to help create a consistent race schedule for the popular Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby continued to be a celebrated race despite the Great Depression. It was internationally broadcasted in 1932. 

In 1943, no out-of-town tickets Derby tickets were sold due to travel restrictions related to World War II. However, 65,000 fans still witnessed Count Fleet easily win by three lengths on his way to becoming America’s sixth Triple Crown winner. 

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World War II continued, and on January 3, 1945, horse racing was banned nationwide. The gas and rubber that was used to transport horses were needed in the war, and the men who worked on the backside were needed to serve. The ban was lifted after Germany surrendered on May 7, and the Kentucky Derby went off on June 9. The enthusiastic but smaller crowd set a single-race world record in wagers. 

The Derby was locally telecasted for the first time in 1949 and nationally broadcasted in 1952. Diane Crump broke barriers in 1970 as the first female jockey to ride in the race. Secretariat proved to be in a class by himself in 1973, winning with the fastest time, a record that still stands. 

Affirmed became the eleventh Triple Crown winner in 1978, and then a Triple Crown drought began. Horses like Sunday Silence (1989), Silver Charm (1997), and Smarty Jones (2004) came heartbreakingly close to the trophy. Racing fans began to wonder if a Triple Crown was possible during the modern racing era. And then, after a 37-year wait, American Pharoah became the twelfth winner in 2013. Two years later, Justify also accomplished the feat. 

In March of 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic upended the sports world. The NCAA men’s basketball tournament was cancelled. Professional baseball, basketball, and hockey leagues suspended their seasons. The Masters golf tournament and Boston Marathon were postponed. The Olympic games in Tokyo were rescheduled for 2021. Stay-at-home orders were put in place. Churchill Downs made the decision to postpone the Derby for the first time in 75 years. 

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Rescheduled for the first Saturday in September, this marked the first time the Derby was not the first leg of the Triple Crown since 1931. In 2021, the Belmont S. was the first race, which Tiz the Law won by 3 3/4 lengths. 

As September 5 drew nearer, COVID-19 cases were on the rise in Kentucky. Churchill made the difficult decision to run the race without fans in attendance. Authentic, under the radar at 8-1,  held off favorite Tiz the Law before an eerily silent grandstand. The rescheduled Preakness, on Oct. 8, was the third leg of the Triple Crown. 

The global pandemic lessened in 2021. The first vaccines were administered in Dec. 2020, and by May, most Americans had the opportunity to receive it. The Kentucky Derby returned to the first Saturday in May, and Churchill Downs allowed a limited crowd of 51,838 attend with social distancing and other health policies in place. Attendees received free mint juleps and reveled in sunny spring weather and a step towards the sporting world returning to normal. 

There were no attendance restrictions in 2022, when Rich Strike became the second-biggest longshot to win the race. At 80-1 odds, the chestnut colt was also the second horse to win from the 20^th post position. 

In 2024, Kentucky Derby continues to be the greatest two minutes in sports. Its rich 150-year history and record of never cancelling is a major accomplishment in sporting history. The Run for the Roses reflects the changing times, but it brings America constants: marking the beginning of spring, bringing people together, and crowning some of the most prestigious thoroughbreds in the world.