kentucky derby 2026

Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, with Renegade finishing second and Ocelli taking third. The winning time was 2:02.27.

The May 2 result also delivered a historic first: trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby, while José Ortiz earned his first victory in the race.

Below, you can check the full Kentucky Derby 2026 results, the finishing order, and the main payouts from the 152nd running.

Quick Summary

Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs. Renegade finished second, Ocelli took third, and the winning time was 2:02.27. This page covers the Kentucky Derby 2026 results, finishing order, major payouts, and the key facts from the 152nd running.

When was the Kentucky Derby 2026?

The 2026 Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, May 2, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It was the 152nd running of the race.

Golden Tempo won in 2:02.27, with Renegade second and Ocelli third. The race carried a $5 million purse and closed the main event of Derby Day.

What Happened During Kentucky Derby Week 2026?

The Derby itself ran on May 2, but the busiest part of the week started earlier. Training sessions, media events, post-position coverage, and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday all built toward Saturday’s main race.

By race day, Golden Tempo had gone from one of the names in the field to the story of the weekend. His late run past Renegade decided the 152nd Kentucky Derby and gave trainer Cherie DeVaux a historic first victory.

For readers looking back at the event, May 2 is the date that matters most. The rest of Derby Week explains how the field, odds, and attention developed before the result.

Kentucky Derby tickets 2026 Cost

Kentucky Derby tickets ranged from general-admission access to premium reserved seating and hospitality packages. The cheapest options put fans in the infield, while covered seats, clubhouse access, and private hospitality areas cost considerably more.

The final price also depended on fees, location, and whether the ticket came directly from an official seller or through resale. That is why two listings for the same day could look very different once all charges were added.

Now that the race is over, this section works best as a record of the 2026 event rather than a buying guide. Readers planning a future visit can still use it to understand the main ticket categories, but prices and availability will change for the next Derby.

The 2026 Derby by the Numbers

The scale of the 2026 Kentucky Derby showed up in the numbers. Churchill Downs reported $340 million in wagering across the Derby Day card, including $225 million on the Derby itself.

Derby Week produced an even bigger total. All-sources wagering reached a record $487 million, up 3% from the previous record set in 2025.

The television audience also set a new high. An estimated 24.4 million viewers watched Golden Tempo’s late run to victory, while NBC and Peacock averaged 19.6 million viewers across the broadcast.

Broadcast reach was also described at a peak audience of 20.1 million viewers across NBC or Peacock, with global distribution mentioned.

Kentucky Derby 2026 Finishing Order

Golden Tempo entered the race at 23-1 and finished ahead of Renegade by a neck. Ocelli, a 70-1 long shot, took third, while Chief Wallabee and Danon Bourbon completed the top five.

The official finishing order was:

Finish Horse
1Golden Tempo
2Renegade
3Ocelli
4Chief Wallabee
5Danon Bourbon
6Incredibolt
7Commandment
8Wonder Dean
9So Happy
10Emerging Market
11Further Ado
12Potente
13Six Speed
14Robusta
15Albus
16Intrepido
17Litmus Test
18Pavlovian

Right to Party, Fulleffort, Silent Traffic, The Puma, and Great White were scratched before the race.

Kentucky Derby 2026 by the Numbers
Derby Week wagering
$487M
A new all-sources record.
Derby Day wagering
$340M
Across the full race-day card.
Peak TV audience
24.0M
A record NBC and Peacock peak.
Sources: Churchill Downs Incorporated and NBC Sports, May 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Kentucky Derby 2026?

Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. He finished a neck ahead of Renegade after starting at 23-1 odds.

What was the Kentucky Derby 2026 finishing order?

Golden Tempo finished first, Renegade took second, and Ocelli placed third. Chief Wallabee and Danon Bourbon completed the top five.

What was Golden Tempo’s winning time?

Golden Tempo completed the 1¼-mile race in 2:02.27 on a fast track.

How much did Golden Tempo win?

Golden Tempo earned $3.1 million from the $5 million Kentucky Derby purse. Renegade received $1 million for second, while Ocelli earned $500,000 for third.

Who trained and rode Golden Tempo?

Cherie DeVaux trained Golden Tempo, and José Ortiz rode him to victory. DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.

When was the Kentucky Derby 2026?

The 152nd Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

How much money was wagered on the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

All-sources wagering reached $225 million on the Kentucky Derby race. The full Derby Day program generated $340 million in wagers.

How many people attended the Kentucky Derby 2026?

Churchill Downs reported a crowd of more than 150,000 people for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.

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