Kentucky Derby Traditions: The Heart of the Run for the Roses

"My Old Kentucky Home"

The tradition of singing the Stephen Foster ballad at the Kentucky Derby is believed to have begun around 1921. Since 1936, the University of Louisville marching band has performed the song live at Churchill Downs as the Derby horses parade from the paddock to the starting gate. The entire crowd of more than 150,000 joins in, creating a communal moment that transcends sport.

For many attendees, this is the moment that defines their Derby experience. The combination of live music, the sight of the Thoroughbreds striding onto the track, and the realization that a century and a half of history is about to add another chapter makes it one of the most powerful traditions in American sports. Whether you are in the grandstand or watching from the infield, the sound of that song marks the official beginning of Derby time.

The Garland of Roses — "Run for the Roses"

The association between roses and the Kentucky Derby dates back to 1883, when New York socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to the ladies at a post-Derby party, and the flower became linked to the event. By 1896, a rose garland was being presented to the winning horse, and the tradition was formalized in its current form in 1932.

Today, the garland is crafted from more than 554 red roses, weighs approximately 40 pounds, and requires over seven hours of painstaking handwork the night before the race. The garland is made by the same Louisville florist each year, using a pattern that includes a crown of roses at the center and the number of the running sewn in. A single rose at the top, pointing upward, is known as the " crown" rose.

The phrase "Run for the Roses" became the Derby's most enduring nickname, immortalized in song and synonymous with the race itself. When the garland is draped over the winning horse's withers in the Winner's Circle, it represents the culmination of a dream that every owner, trainer, and jockey in Thoroughbred racing shares.

The Mint Julep

The mint julep was named the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1939, though it had been a fixture at Churchill Downs for decades before that. Made with Kentucky bourbon, fresh mint, simple syrup, and crushed ice, the julep is traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup that frosts over as the ice melts — a tactile pleasure on a warm May afternoon.

The numbers are staggering: approximately 120,000 mint juleps are served at Churchill Downs over the course of Derby weekend. That requires roughly 60,000 pounds of ice, 10,000 bottles of bourbon, and 1,000 pounds of fresh mint. In recent years, premium juleps featuring top-shelf bourbons and served in commemorative cups have been offered at prices ranging into the thousands of dollars, with proceeds benefiting charitable causes.

For those who want to recreate the experience at home, the classic recipe is simple but requires attention to technique. The mint should be gently muddled — not crushed — to release its oils without turning bitter. For more on perfecting your julep, visit our mint julep guide.

The Derby Trophy

The Kentucky Derby gold trophy was first presented in 1924 for the 50th running of the race. Crafted of 14-karat gold and adorned with a horse and rider finial, the trophy has become one of the most coveted prizes in all of sports. It stands approximately 22 inches tall and is valued at more than $200,000. The winning owner receives the trophy permanently, making it a prized possession that has found its way into private collections and museum displays around the world.

In addition to the gold trophy, the winning jockey receives a replica trophy, and various silver trophies and commemorative items are presented to the trainer and breeder. The trophy presentation ceremony, conducted in the Winner's Circle immediately after the race, is broadcast worldwide and represents the pinnacle moment of Derby Day.

Derby Fashion & Hats

The tradition of wearing elaborate hats and formal attire to the Kentucky Derby dates back to the race's founding in 1875, when attending the Derby was a high-society affair and proper dress was expected. In the nineteenth century, hats were a standard element of formal dress for both men and women, and the Derby was the premier social event of the Louisville season.

Over the decades, Derby fashion evolved from a social obligation into a beloved form of self-expression. Today, women (and increasingly men) compete to wear the most creative, colorful, and eye-catching hats and fascinators. Designs range from elegant wide-brimmed classics to outlandish sculptural creations featuring flowers, feathers, miniature horses, and everything in between. The hat has become as much a symbol of the Derby as the roses and the juleps.

Derby fashion is not limited to the grandstand. Even infield attendees have adopted the hat tradition, often with a more playful and irreverent approach. Whether your style is Southern elegance or creative whimsy, the Derby is the one day of the year where no hat is too big and no outfit is too bold. For styling tips, see our what to wear guide.

The Infield: The Party Within the Party

While the grandstand offers the classic Derby experience, the infield is where the party truly comes alive. Located inside the oval of the racetrack, the infield hosts tens of thousands of fans who come for the atmosphere, the music, the food, and the social scene as much as the racing. The infield has its own stages, concessions, and entertainment areas, making it a self-contained festival within the larger event.

The infield experience has evolved significantly in recent years. Churchill Downs now offers premium infield areas with better sight lines, upgraded amenities, and reserved seating. General admission infield tickets remain the most affordable way to attend the Kentucky Derby, making the event accessible to fans of all budgets. For a detailed breakdown of the infield experience, visit our infield guide.

The Bugle Call & "Riders Up!"

Before each race at Churchill Downs, a bugler sounds the traditional "Call to the Post," signaling that the horses are about to leave the paddock and head to the starting gate. On Derby Day, this bugle call takes on heightened significance, marking the transition from anticipation to action.

The command "Riders Up!" is given by the paddock judge, directing the jockeys to mount their horses. It is the final instruction before the horses leave the paddock, and on Derby Day, it sends a ripple of excitement through the crowd. The jockeys, clad in their owners' silks, are lifted into the saddle, and within moments, the post parade begins and "My Old Kentucky Home" fills the air.

The Winner's Circle Ceremony

After the race, the winning horse is led to the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs for one of the most iconic ceremonies in sports. The garland of roses is draped over the horse, the gold trophy is presented to the owner, and the connections — owner, trainer, jockey, and their families — gather for photographs that will be preserved in the racing record forever.

The Governor of Kentucky traditionally presents the trophy, and the ceremony is broadcast live to a worldwide television audience. For the winning jockey, the tradition of standing in the stirrups and accepting the congratulations of the crowd is a moment of pure triumph. The Winner's Circle ceremony brings together all of the Derby's traditions — the roses, the trophy, the silks, the emotion — into a single, unforgettable scene.

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