First Thoroughbred Ever To Win $1,000,000 Scared His Rider With Crazy Speed at 1948 Kentucky Derby

It’s only a few more days before the Kentucky Derby kicks off at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville. But before a swarm of fascinators covers the stadium this year, an incident from the 1948 Kentucky Derby might remind everyone of the speed and prowess of these thoroughbreds. Specifically, a record-holding thoroughbred who was the first to achieve a certain rare feat.

Citation was a thoroughbred racehorse who ran the Kentucky Derby with his trainer Arcaro and won the whole competition. What’s more, he ran so fast that it genuinely scared Arcaro for his life. He also was the first-ever horse in history to win $1 million.

The lightning speed of Citation at the 1948 Kentucky Derby

Citation was born in the final year of World War II i.e. 1945, and in his lifetime of 35 years, went on to win 16 consecutive stakes races. This rare feat and several others ensured that Citation became the first ever horse in history to win $1 million. One of his biggest feats came when he was just 3 years old – at the 1948 Kentucky Derby.

Amidst a new, post-World War II era in America, Citation brought joy to a lot of equestrian fans in the country. A YouTube video by Horse Racing cites his victory at the 1948 event as one of the “Greatest moments” of the Kentucky Derby. However, as amazing as his speed was for spectators to watch, it became a little too excessive for his rider Arcaro.

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As per the YouTube video, Arcaro was genuinely scared of Citation’s speed. The commentators back then were speechless after watching Citation win the race by a convincing margin. Although the video showed that Arcaro was ecstatic after his win, his heartbeat was a different story.

Citation won by 3.5 lengths over his stablemate Coaltown, who would go on to win the 1949 edition of the race. Arcaro eventually donated a share of his earnings to then-former jockey Al Snider’s widow. Citation’s record also included being the eighth winner of the American Triple Crown. The event’s popularity soared after the 1922 silent movie ‘The Kentucky Derby’ was released in theatres and showed footage from when Morvich and Albert Johnson won the race. Tickets are available for the Kentucky Derby 2023 now, as the anticipation increases.

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