The 152nd Kentucky Derby carries a $5 million purse on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The winning owner takes home $3.1 million, with the jockey and trainer each receiving roughly $310,000.
This page breaks down the full prize money distribution, how the purse is split among connections, and how the Kentucky Derby compares to other major races worldwide.
Quick Facts:
- Race: 152nd Kentucky Derby (Grade 1)
- Race Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Total Purse: $5,000,000
- Winner’s Share: $3,100,000
- Number of Paid Positions: Top 5 finishers
- Winning Owner Take: $2,480,000 (80%)
- Winning Trainer Take: $310,000 (10%)
- Winning Jockey Take: $310,000 (10%, pre-deductions)
- How to Watch: NBC, 2:30–7:30 p.m. ET
Kentucky Derby 2026 Total Purse
The 2026 Kentucky Derby carries a guaranteed purse of $5 million, the third consecutive year at this level since Churchill Downs increased the purse from $3 million in 2024.
This makes the Kentucky Derby the second-richest Thoroughbred race in North America, trailing only the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. The purse jump in 2024 added $2 million in total prize money, with the winner’s share rising from $1.86 million in 2023 to $3.1 million in 2024.
For context, the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 had a total purse of just $3,050. Aristides earned $2,850 as the first winner. The race has grown more than 1,600-fold in 152 years.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Payout Breakdown by Position
Only the top five finishers in the Kentucky Derby receive purse money. The remaining 15 horses earn nothing from the main purse, though their jockeys receive a minimum mount fee of $500 for finishing beyond third place.
| Finishing Position | Prize Money | Percentage of Purse |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $3,100,000 | 62% |
| 2nd | $1,000,000 | 20% |
| 3rd | $500,000 | 10% |
| 4th | $250,000 | 5% |
| 5th | $150,000 | 3% |
| Total | $5,000,000 | 100% |
The winner takes home roughly 62 percent of the total purse, more than the next four finishers combined. This heavy concentration on first place reflects the all-or-nothing nature of the Kentucky Derby, where only the winner is enshrined in racing history.
How the Kentucky Derby Purse is Distributed Among Connections
The owner does not pocket the entire $3.1 million winner’s share. The purse is split among the owner, trainer and jockey under a long-standing industry convention.
Owner Share: 80 percent
The winning owner receives 80 percent of the prize money for their horse’s finishing position. For the 2026 Derby winner, this works out to $2,480,000 before taxes and entry fee deductions.
If the horse is owned by a partnership (which is increasingly common), the $2.48 million is further split among partners according to their ownership percentages. Many modern Derby starters have ownership groups with 4 to 10 individual partners, syndicates or stables.
Trainer Share: 10 percent
The winning trainer receives 10 percent of the first-place purse, which equals $310,000 before taxes for the 2026 winner. The trainer also receives a Kentucky Derby trophy.
Jockey Share: 10 percent (with deductions)
The winning jockey also receives 10 percent of the first-place purse, or $310,000 before deductions. However, jockeys do not keep the full amount.
In a typical arrangement:
- 25 percent of the jockey’s share goes to the jockey’s agent ($77,500)
- 5 percent goes to the jockey’s valet ($15,500)
This leaves the winning jockey with approximately $217,000 before taxes. Jockeys of the runner-up and third-place finishers typically earn 5 percent of their horse’s purse, working out to $50,000 (2nd) and $25,000 (3rd) before agent and valet deductions.
Total Distribution Example for the 2026 Winner
| Recipient | Pre-Tax Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Owner(s) | $2,480,000 | Before entry fee deductions |
| Trainer | $310,000 | Plus Derby trophy |
| Jockey (gross) | $310,000 | Before agent and valet cuts |
| Jockey (net) | $217,000 | After 25% agent + 5% valet |
What It Costs to Enter a Horse in the 2026 Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is one of the few races in North America where owners must pay substantial fees just to enter. These costs reduce the winning owner’s net take.
Standard Entry Costs
- Triple Crown nomination fee: $600 minimum (paid in January of the horse’s 3-year-old year)
- Entry fee: $25,000 (paid at the time of Derby entry)
- Starter fee: $25,000 (paid actually to start the race)
- Total minimum cost: $50,600
Late and Supplemental Fees
Owners who miss the early nomination deadline can still enter under late or supplemental terms:
- Late nomination (April deadline): $6,000
- Supplemental nomination (after late deadline): $200,000 for all three Triple Crown races, or $50,000 for the Kentucky Derby only
Net Owner Earnings After Fees
For the 2026 Derby winner who paid only the standard $50,600 in fees, the net take-home (before federal and state taxes) drops from $2,480,000 to $2,429,400. Owners who used late or supplemental nominations would see their net reduced further.
Kentucky Derby Purse History
The Kentucky Derby purse has grown in distinct phases over the past three decades:
| Years | Total Purse | Winner’s Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1996-2004 | $1,000,000 | ~$700,000 |
| 2005-2018 | $2,000,000 | $1,240,000 |
| 2019-2023 | $3,000,000 | $1,860,000 |
| 2024-present | $5,000,000 | $3,100,000 |
The 2024 purse increase was the largest single jump in modern Derby history, adding $2 million to the total pot and lifting the winner’s share by $1.24 million. Churchill Downs has held the $5 million purse steady for three consecutive years now.
How the Kentucky Derby Compares to Other Major Races
The Kentucky Derby’s $5 million purse is the highest of the three Triple Crown races but ranks below several international and Breeders’ Cup events.
Triple Crown Purse Comparison (2026)
| Race | Total Purse | Winner’s Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Derby | $5,000,000 | $3,100,000 |
| Preakness Stakes | $2,000,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Belmont Stakes | $2,000,000 | $1,200,000 |
The Kentucky Derby pays out 2.5 times more than either of the other Triple Crown races in 2026.
Major International and U.S. Races
| Race | Total Purse | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Cup | $20,000,000 | Saudi Arabia |
| Dubai World Cup | $12,000,000 | United Arab Emirates |
| Breeders’ Cup Classic | $7,000,000 | United States |
| Pegasus World Cup | $3,000,000 | United States |
| Kentucky Derby | $5,000,000 | United States |
Despite being the most famous race in American horse racing, the Kentucky Derby is not the richest. The Saudi Cup, established in 2020, more than quadruples the Derby’s purse. However, the cultural prestige and historical significance of the Kentucky Derby continue to draw the strongest global field of 3-year-olds each year.
Where Does the Kentucky Derby Purse Come From?
The Kentucky Derby purse is funded through a combination of sources:
- Churchill Downs Inc. contributes the bulk of the guaranteed purse from its racing operations
- Title sponsor Woodford Reserve has been the official presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby for over a decade
- Owner entry fees ($25,000 entry plus $25,000 starter from each of the 20 horses) add up to $1 million in fees collected
- Triple Crown nomination fees from the broader pool of nominated 3-year-olds
- Wagering revenue from Derby Day handle, which exceeded $200 million in recent years
The combination of these sources has allowed Churchill Downs to maintain the $5 million guaranteed purse without dipping into other operational budgets.
Beyond the Cash: What Else Does the Winner Receive?
The Kentucky Derby winner receives more than just prize money. The non-cash benefits often hold long-term value far exceeding the $3.1 million purse share.
- Garland of Roses: A handcrafted blanket of more than 400 red roses sewn into a green satin backing, draped over the winner in the winner’s circle
- Kentucky Derby Trophy: A solid 14-karat gold trophy that takes approximately 2,000 hours to handcraft, awarded to the winning owner
- Trainer and jockey trophies: Smaller commemorative trophies for the winning conditioner and rider
- Stud value increase: A Kentucky Derby win can multiply a colt’s future stud fees by 5 to 10 times. Triple Crown winners have commanded stud fees of $150,000 or more per breeding
- Career-defining recognition: A Derby win secures Hall of Fame consideration for trainers and jockeys
For owners with a strong colt, the long-term breeding rights and stud value of a Kentucky Derby winner often generate tens of millions of dollars over the horse’s stallion career.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Payout FAQ
How much is the Kentucky Derby 2026 purse?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million, marking the third consecutive year at this level. Churchill Downs increased the purse from $3 million to $5 million in 2024.
How much does the Kentucky Derby winner get in 2026?
The winning horse’s connections receive $3.1 million from the $5 million purse. Of that share, 80 percent goes to the owner, 10 percent to the trainer and 10 percent to the jockey, before taxes and other deductions.
What is the prize money for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place?
Second place receives $1 million, third place $500,000, fourth place $250,000 and fifth place $150,000. Horses finishing 6th through 20th do not receive purse money from the main pool.
How much does the winning jockey actually take home?
The winning jockey’s share is $310,000 before deductions. After the standard 25 percent paid to the jockey’s agent and 5 percent to the valet, the take-home pay is approximately $217,000 before federal and state taxes.
Does the winning trainer also receive a trophy?
Yes. The winning trainer receives a Kentucky Derby trophy in addition to their 10 percent share of the purse, which equals $310,000 in 2026.
Who pays for the Kentucky Derby purse?
The purse is funded primarily by Churchill Downs Inc. through racing operations and wagering revenue, with significant contributions from title sponsor Woodford Reserve and owner entry fees. Each Derby starter contributes $50,000 in entry and starter fees to the overall pool.
How does the 2026 Kentucky Derby purse compare to the Preakness and Belmont?
The Kentucky Derby’s $5 million purse is more than twice the size of the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, which each carry $2 million purses in 2026. The Kentucky Derby is the richest race of the Triple Crown.
Has any horse won a Triple Crown bonus in recent years?
The current Triple Crown structure does not include a separate cash bonus from a sponsor. Past sponsors offered bonuses (including a $5 million bonus from Visa in the 1990s and a $1 million bonus from Chrysler), but no formal Triple Crown sweep bonus is in place for 2026. The honor of becoming a Triple Crown winner remains the primary incentive, with stud value gains far exceeding any cash bonus.
What is the most a Kentucky Derby owner has ever earned in one race?
Since the purse increase in 2024, every Kentucky Derby winner since (Mystik Dan in 2024 and Sovereignty in 2025) has earned $3.1 million for their owners, the highest in race history. The 2026 winner will match that figure.
Do losing horses earn any money?
Horses finishing 6th through 20th receive no share of the main purse. Their jockeys receive a minimum mount fee of $500 each, and owners may receive small consolation payments depending on the year, but the major prize money is reserved for the top five finishers.
