As the 152nd running of the ‘Run For The Roses’ edges closer on Saturday, May 2, plenty of racing fans will be wondering: what is the Kentucky Derby purse for 2026-and how exactly is the prize money split for the opening leg of the US Triple Crown?
Kentucky Derby Purse Was Boosted To $5m In 2024
Connections targeting Triple Crown glory got a welcome lift in 2024 when Churchill Downs raised the total purse for the Kentucky Derby.
The prize fund jumped from $3,000,000 in 2023 to $5,000,000 in 2024-making it the richest Derby in history and bringing it closer to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which still leads the way in North America with a $7,000,000 purse.
Looking ahead to 2026, that enhanced figure remains in place.
So, how is the $5m prize pool divided among the top finishers?
How The $5m 2026 Kentucky Derby Purse Is Split
It’s not a ‘winner-takes-all’ set-up-tough, which is a slight positive for those finishing just behind.
But not all the horses.
As only the top five horses will earn a share of the purse.
Naturally, the winner takes the lion’s share, banking $3,100,000. The runner-up still collects a tidy $1,000,000, while third place secures $500,000.
- 1st: $3,100,000
- 2nd: $1,000,000
- 3rd: $500,000
- 4th: $250,000
- 5th: $150,000
For readers in the UK this roughly translates to.
- 1st: £2,480,000
- 2nd: £800,000
- 3rd: £400,000
- 4th: £200,000
- 5th: £120,000
How Much Will The 2026 Kentucky Winning Jockey Earn?
Based on the 2026 Kentucky Derby rules, each jockey that finishes 4th or worse will get a minimum $500 riders fee.
However, the top finishing riders will earn much more.
Around 80% of the prize money will go to the winning owner – with the rest split between the trainer and jockey.
With the winning Kentucky Derby rider and barn getting 10% of the purse each.
Meaning with $3,100,000 on offer to the 2026 Kentucky Derby winner, the rider get $310,000 – not bad for a few minutes work.
But the jockey will then need to give his agent and valet a cut – depending on their arrangements.
Which in most cases is 25% to the agent and 5% to their valet.
So, in this example, this would leave around £217,000 for the winning 2026 Kentucky Derby jockey to file with the tax man.
2023 to 2026 Kentucky Derby Purse Increases
Back in 2023, Mage-who paid $32.42- won the Kentucky Derby and earned $1.86m for winning connections.
From 2024 onward, however, the winner’s prize jumped to $3.1m-an increase of $1.24m.
That’s exactly what the 2025 winning owner, Godolphin Racing LLC, collected with Sovereignty.
Did You Know? 75% of Kentucky Derby Runners Won’t Earn A Penny
With a full field of 20 runners, only five horses make the money.
That leaves 15-75% of the field-heading home empty-handed.
In 2025, for example, sixth-placed Burnham Square missed out entirely, while the top five were paid as follows:
- 1st – Sovereignty ($3,100,000)
- 2nd – Journalism ($1,000,000)
- 3rd – Baeza ($500,000)
- 4th – Final Gambit ($250,000)
- 5th – Owen Almighty ($150,000)
- 6th – Burnham Square ($0)
WATCH: Sovereignty Scooping The 2025 Kentucky Derby Purse
How the Kentucky Derby Purse Has Grown Over Time
Prize money has come a long way since the inaugural race in 1875, when Aristides earned just $2,850.
- 1875: $2,850
- 1954: $100,000
- 1995: $1,000,000
- 2005: $2,000,000
- 2019: $3,000,000
- 2024: $5,000,000
Kentucky Oaks Purse Also Increased in 2024
The Kentucky Oaks-the fillies’ counterpart, run the day before the Derby-also received a boost in 2024.
Its purse rose by $250,000 to $1,500,000 (from $1,250,000), and that figure remains unchanged for 2025.
WATCH: Good Cheer Winning The 2025 Kentucky Oaks
How The Kentucky Derby Compares To The Other US Triple Crown Races
The Triple Crown features three races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
The Derby leads the way with a $5,000,000 purse.
Both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes sit level behind it, each offering $2,000,000.
The Preakness runs on Saturday, May 16, while the Belmont Stakes-still staged at Saratoga during Belmont Park’s renovation-takes place on Saturday, June 6.
Only 13 horses have ever swept all three races, from Sir Barton in 1919 to Justify in 2018.
Triple Crown Purses for 2026
- Kentucky Derby: $5m
- Preakness Stakes: $2m
- Belmont Stakes: $2m
2026 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds & Runners
- 1 – Renegade 9/2
- 2 – Albus 33/1
- 3 – Intrepido 50/1
- 4 – Litmus Test 33/1
- 5 – Right to Party 50/1
- 6 – Commandment 5/1
- 7 – Danon Bourbon 20/1
- 8 – So Happy 14/1
- 9 – The Puma 10/1
- 10 – Wonder Dean 33/1
- 12 – Chief Wallabee 7/1
- 13 – Silent Tactic 25/1
- 14 – Potente 20/1
- 15 – Emerging Market 14/1
- 16 – Pavlovian 33/1
- 17 – Six Speed 66/1
- 18 – Further Ado 6/1
- 19 – Golden Tempo 33/1
- 20 – Fulleffort 25/1
Note: Kentucky Derby odds are subject to change.
