Kentucky Derby 2024: A Complete $5 Million Prize Money Breakdown Between Jockey, Stable, Trainers and More

With just 11 days left until the first Saturday in May, excitement is sweeping over the horse racing world for the Kentucky Derby 2024. The American Grade I stakes race, run at Churchill Downs, is the first leg of the Triple Crown. Also known as The Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby is renowned for its heavy prize purse that bestows upon three-year-old Thoroughbreds and their entourage bragging rights, along with a prize purse in the millions.

Historically, the Kentucky Derby purse has always been prestigious, but this year, Churchill Downs has made history once again. This year, the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby will be the richest in its history, with the purse raised by a staggering 67% to a record $5 million guaranteed. As we eagerly await to see who claims these historic millions, let’s explore the complete $5 million prize money breakdown for the Kentucky Derby 2024, including shares for jockeys, stables, trainers, and more.

Breakdown of the $5 million prize money for the Kentucky Derby 2024 winners

According to Kentucky Derby Betting Sites, the Kentucky Derby 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024, and boasts an impressive total purse of $5,000,000. The Kentucky Derby purse for 2024 has increased from $3,000,000 in 2023, marking a significant 66% increase. Furthermore, when compared to other races in the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby boasts the highest purse, while the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, which follow the Kentucky Derby in the Triple Crown series, each have a purse of $2,000,000.

The winning horse will take home the lion’s share of $3,100,000, making it the highest payout in the Derby’s history. The second-place finisher will still walk away with a significant $1,000,000. The third-place finisher will be awarded $500,000, while the fourth-place finisher will receive $250,000, and the fifth-place finisher will get $150,000. But the million-dollar prize purse extends not just to the winner but to the winning team and entourage as well.

How much will the winning Kentucky Derby jockey’s earnings be?

In addition to their riding fee for participating in the race, the winning Kentucky Derby jockey also receives 10% of the prize money. For the 2024 race, this means the jockey will earn $310,000 in addition to their base fee.

Winning Kentucky Derby trainer’s earnings

Similarly, the winning Kentucky Derby trainer also receives 10% of the total purse for training the team. Therefore, with the 2024 purse set at $3.1 million, the winning trainer will also earn $310,000.

Actual earnings for the winning owners

After the jockey and trainer’s shares are deducted, the winning owner will receive the remainder of the prize money. Therefore, with both the jockey and trainer receiving $310,000, the winning owner will take home $2,480,000 of the $3.1 million purse.

As the 150th edition of the 2024 Kentucky Derby is filled with an incredible lineup, from Sierra Leone to Fierceness, Forever Young, and others, with million-dollar stakes, race day is set to open the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing on a high note.