Kentucky Derby Winners of The 1870s

Kentucky Derby Winners of The 1870s

In the 1870s, the greatest two minutes in sports is born, when Aristides becomes the first ever winner of the Kentucky Derby!

1879 – Although Falsetto ended up the better known and more accomplished racehorse, he would play second-fiddle to Lord Murphy who bested the eventual champ in the 1879 Kentucky Derby. Contested on May 20, the field of nine comprised the fifth running of the race.

Jockey – Charlie Shauer   Trainer – George Rice   Owner – Darden and Co

1878Day Star defeated eight rivals and paid $30.60 en route to winning the roses with the well-regarded Himyar finishing second. Himyar went on to sire 1898 Kentucky Derby winner Plaudit and another very successful racehorse in Domino.

Jockey – Jimmy Carter   Trainer – Lee Paul   Owner – T. J. Nichols

1877 – Sired by the first ever English Triple Crown winner West Australian, Baden Baden was predestined to become a great racehorse and did just that, winning the Kentucky Derby, Travers Stakes, and Jersey Derby in 1877. The colt also finished third in the Belmont Stakes.

Jockey – Billy Walker   Trainer – Edward D. Brown   Owner – Daniel Swigert 

1876 - The first of just nine geldings to ever win the Kentucky Derby, Vagrant was a dominant and successful racehorse who racked up several major wins during his two year-old and three year-old seasons. So impressive was the horse, millionaire owner William B. Astor paid $7,000 to acquire Vagrant.

Jockey – Bobby Swim   Trainer – James Williams    Owner – William Astor Jr.

1875 – Forever immortalized as the first winner of the now storied Kentucky Derby, Aristides defeated 14 horses in front of 10,000 fans. The smallish colt went on to finish second in the Belmont Stakes.

Jockey - Oliver Lewis   Owner - H.P. McGrath

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