Sovereignty has taken home first place and the $3.1 million prize at the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Sovereignty was jockeyed by Junior Alvarado. This marks his first career win at the Kentucky Derby.
More from Variety
How to Watch the 2025 Kentucky Derby Online Without Cable
NBC News Uses Kentucky Derby for New Swing at Sports Coverage
Churchill Downs Racetrack to Celebrate Kentucky Derby’s 150-Year History With ‘The Derby’ Series (EXCLUSIVE)
19 horses competed in Saturday’s race. The other top finishers included Journalism, Baeza, and Final Gambit. The Kentucky Derby is only the first of the Triple Crown races, which also include the Preakness Stakes on May 17 and the Belmont Stakes, which are held June 4-8.
Going into the race, horse Journalism was the favorite to win at 7/2 odds (via Kentucky Derby), followed by Sandman at 5-1 and Luxor Cafe at 8-1. Sovereignty had the fourth-best odds at 9-1 and American Promise had fifth best at 11-1.
The other horses who ran in this year’s Kentucky Derby are Citizen Bull, Neoquos, American Promise, Admire Daytona, Flying Mohawk, East Avenue, Publisher, Tiztastic, Render Judgement, Coal Battle, Chunk of Gold and Owen Almighty.
The total value of the 2025 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million, which is split among the top five finishers. Just like last year’s race, second will take home $1 million, third place will get $500,000, fourth will receive $250,000 and fifth will receive $150,000. The winning jockey, Alvarado, will receive 10% of the first-place pot, taking a cut of $310,000.
The Kentucky Derby has the highest value purse of the three Triple Crown races. Both the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes award $2 million purses.
The attendance at Churchill Downs was 147,406, which is a Kentucky Derby Record.
Best of Variety
Oscars Predictions 2026: ‘Sinners’ Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What’s Coming to Netflix in May 2025
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
