02 May Horse Country Connections: 2024 Kentucky Derby
The first weekend of May brings the eyes of the world upon Kentucky. The G1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is the most iconic race in North American Thoroughbred racing, and one of the most recognizable races in the entire world.
While the Kentucky Derby is often symbolized by Mint Juleps, big hats and high fashion, at the heart of it all is the horse. For 150 years, the Derby has represented the hopes and dreams of countless horsemen and women whose goal is to one day be victorious in the run for the roses.
A number of factors make the Derby a unique race – the race is only open to three year old horses (therefore horses only have one shot at running in the race), up to 20 horses can enter the starting gate (the biggest field of race in North America) and the race is run at a mile and a quarter (a longer distance than the entrants have run previously). Along with the huge crowd and fanfare that go along with America’s most popular horse race, it takes a special horse to win this race.
This year, 20 Thoroughbred colts will enter the starting gates on Saturday, May 4 for their shot at the history books. We’re thrilled to be cheering on a number of horses in the field with connections to our #VisitHorseCountry members. Congratulations to these horses, their connections, and our members who played a part in their success.
The G1 Kentucky Derby field, presented in post position order:
- #1 Dornoch
- Full sibling to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, who stands at Airdrie Stud
- Born and raised at Runnymede Farm, who consigned the colt as a yearling at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Raised on Hallway Feeds
- #2 Sierra Leone
- Sired by Gun Runner, who stands at Three Chimneys Farm
- His last Derby prep was a win in the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #3 Mystik Dan
- Sired by Goldencents, standing at Spendthrift Farm
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #4 Catching Freedom
- Sired by Constitution, standing at WinStar Farm
- Born and raised at WinStar Farm
- Graduate of the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #5 Catalytic
- Sired by Catalina Cruiser, standing at Lane’s End Farm
- Graduate of the 2021 Keeneland November Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #6 Just Steel
- Sired by Justify, who stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- Graduate of the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- #7 Honor Marie
- Born and raised at Taylor Made Farm, which consigned the colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #8 Just a Touch
- Sired by Justify, who stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #9 Encino – SCR
- #10 T O Password (JPN)
- #11 Forever Young (JPN)
- #12 Track Phantom
- Sired by Quality Road, standing at Lane’s End Farm
- Born and raised at Taylor Made Farm, which consigned the colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #13 West Saratoga
- sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm
- Raised on Hallway Feeds
- #14 Endlessly
- Sired by Oscar Performance, standing at Mill Ridge Farm
- Born and raised at Mill Ridge Farm
- Raised on Hallway Feeds
- #15 Domestic Product
- Sired by Practical Joke, who stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #16 Grand Mo the First
- Sired by Uncle Mo, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- #17 Fierceness
- Sired by City of Light, standing at Lane’s End Farm
- Born and raised at Lane’s End Farm, which uses Hallway Feeds
- #18 Stronghold
- #19 Resilience
- Sired by Into Mischief, who stands at Spendthrift Farm
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #20 Society Man
- #21 Epic Ride
- Sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- Draws into the Kentucky Derby after the scratch of Encino
Tune in to the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 4. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.