Road to the Kentucky Derby 2025: This is how horses qualify for the race
Every year, the Kentucky Derby draws in thousands of spectators and bettors alike, all eager to see which horse will win. How do they qualify for the race?
Have you ever wondered what it takes for a horse to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, a race commonly referred to as “the greatest two minutes in sports”? There is room for just 20 three-year-old Thoroughbreds in the historic annual event, which takes place for the 151st time this weekend.
Given the limited number of spots up for grabs at the Churchill Downs racing complex, qualifying for the Kentucky Derby is a rigorous process. Horses must take part in prep races and earn points along the way to secure their position at the starting gate.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is long and challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable for those fortunate enough to make it. Every owner, trainer, and jockey aspires to make their mark in racing history and win the adoration of thousands of fans.
The Kentucky Derby qualification process
The Kentucky Derby qualification system underwent a complete overhaul in 2012, when the race organizers announced a new plan that debuted the following year. The previous system had relied on earnings won in stakes races, while the new design featured a points system aligned with designated stakes races throughout the year. This led to the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” challenge.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of designated stakes races between September and April, offering points to the top five finishers in each event. As the qualifying process moves closer to the Kentucky Derby, the points values at each race increase. In 2024, over 30 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying races took place across the US. One was also held in the UAE.
European and Japanese qualifying routes
In addition, horses can also earn a place at the Kentucky Derby via the European Road to the Kentucky Derby - staged in France, the Republic of Ireland, and the UK - and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. These two qualifying paths differ from the main route to the race, as they only offer one possible place each, to the top points scorers across both series.
Which horses have qualified for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
2025 Kentucky Derby horses:
1 Citizen Bull
2 Neoequos
3 Final Gambit
4 Rodriguez
5 American Promise
6 Admire Daytona (JPN)
7 Luxor Cafe
8 Journalism
9 Burnham Square
10 Grande
11 Flying Mohawk
12 East Avenue
13 Publisher
14 Tiztastic
15 Render Judgment
16 Coal Battle
17 Sandman
18 Sovereignty
19 Chunk of Gold
20 Owen Almighty
Alternate: Baeza
2025 Kentucky Derby: when, where, how to watch
Who's the favorite for the Kentucky Derby?
Best horse names at the Kentucky Derby
The 2024 Kentucky Derby is to be held on Saturday May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. According to the official race day schedule, the Derby is slated to take place at 6:57pm ET/3:57pm PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the event on NBC and Peacock.
Complete your personal details to comment
Your opinion will be published with first and last names