How Much Do You Get For Winning Kentucky Derby?
Churchill Downs made the announcement in 2019 that the prize money for the Kentucky Derby will be increased from $2 million to $3 million, making it “the quickest two minutes in sports.” The purse for the 145th running of the @KentuckyDerby presented by Woodford Reserve will be increased to a guaranteed $3 million, making it the most lucrative running of the race in the event’s history.
How much does Kentucky Derby winner get?
What was the total amount of money that Rich Strike won at the Kentucky Derby in 2022? As the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike was awarded $1,860,000.00 of the total prize pool of $3,000,000.00. Rich Strike had only earned a total of $111,289 in his career prior to winning the first leg of the Triple Crown.
- Not bad for a horse who just qualified for the Derby the day before when Ethereal Road was forced to withdraw, and who was claimed by owner Rick Dawson of RED TR-Racing following a $30,000 maiden-claiming event at Churchill Downs.
- Rich Strike: Owner Rick Dawson gambled on Eric Reed, Rich Strike and won big at 2022 Kentucky Derby “What planet is this?” Dawson spoke on his performance after the race on Saturday.
“I feel like I have been catapulted someplace. I’m not sure. This defies all logic and reason. I went up on stage and spoke to my coach, and I asked him, “Are you sure this isn’t a dream?” Because there is no way that could be true.’ He gave me his word that everything is genuine.
How much does Kentucky Derby winning jockey get paid?
Image courtesy of Don Blais / Shutterstock.com. The three legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, all take place in the months of May and June in the United States. These are the most prominent months for horse racing in the country.
Rich payouts are a hallmark of the world’s most prestigious horse races, such as the Kentucky Derby (2022), which offered a total pot of $3 million and awarded the winner $1.86 million of that total. The rider, or jockey, is the person who stays atop the horse during the whole race and receives far less attention than the horse itself.
At the Kentucky Derby, the winning jockey receives 10% of the total payout won by their horse. This year’s winning rider, Sonny Leon, received $186,000 of the total purse. It is possible that Leon sent a commission of 25 percent to his agent and a gratuity of 5 percent to the valet who assisted him in preparing his gear for the race from those gains.
How does a jockey get paid?
A jockey does not get a salary but rather earns a “mounting fee” (often between $50 and $110) for each race that they ride in, sometimes participating in as many as eight races in a single day. Jockeys may make a significant amount of money through prize money, which is awarded to them if the horse they are riding comes in first, second, or third place in a race and they earn a portion of the purse.