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?
You can also see the Eddie Olczyk 2026 Kentucky Derby picks as the respected NBC handicapper gives his Churchill Downs 1-2-3 best bets
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
You can also see the key Kentucky Derby trends to help find the Churchill Downs winner – including some incredible post positions stats.
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 Kentucky Derby 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.
