The 2025 Kentucky Derby, held on May 3 at Churchill Downs, featured a diverse field of 19 horses with varying purchase prices and ownership backgrounds. Here's an overview of some notable entrants and their associated costs:

🏇 Notable Horses and Their Purchase Prices

  • Sandman: Acquired for $1.2 million by West Point Thoroughbreds, D. J. Stable, and C. J. Stable. EssentiallySports

  • Journalism: Purchased for $825,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. EssentiallySports

  • Citizen Bull: Bought for $1.436 million, representing one of the higher-priced horses in the race.

  • Coal Battle: Acquired for $1.17 million, showcasing significant investment by its owners. Wikipedia

  • East Avenue: Purchased for $612,500, reflecting a mid-range investment among competitors. Wikipedia

  • Final Gambit: Bought for $446,400, aligning with the average auction price for Derby horses in recent years. EssentiallySports+1Wikipedia+1

  • Publisher: Acquired for $355,000, indicating a strategic investment by its connections. Wikipedia

  • American Promise: Purchased for $335,000, representing a modest investment compared to top-tier contenders.

  • Chunk of Gold: Bought for $324,400, showcasing the varied financial commitments among Derby participants. Wikipedia

  • Grande: Acquired for $140,000, making it one of the more economically priced horses in the field.

  • Baeza: Entered the Derby as an also-eligible horse after the withdrawal of another contender. AS USA+14Wikipedia+14The Sun+14

💰 Entry and Participation Costs

To enter a horse in the Kentucky Derby, owners incur several fees:EnviroLiteracy+1AS USA+1

  • Nomination Fee: $600

  • Entry Fee: $25,000EnviroLiteracy

  • Starting Fee: $25,000

Total: $50,600EnviroLiteracy

These fees are in addition to the purchase price and ongoing training and maintenance costs associated with preparing a horse for the Derby.

🏆 Prize Money Breakdown

The 2025 Kentucky Derby featured a record-tying $5 million purse, distributed among the top five finishers as follows:A Sea Of Blue+6CBSSports.com+6People.com+6

  • 1st Place: $3.1 millionThe US Sun+4The Washington Post+4People.com+4

  • 2nd Place: $1 millionESPN.com+16The Washington Post+16People.com+16

  • 3rd Place: $500,000The US Sun+3People.com+3CBSSports.com+3

  • 4th Place: $250,000

  • 5th Place: $150,000People.com

This substantial prize pool underscores the high stakes and competitive nature of the event.