How Much Did These Kentucky Derby Winners Make for Their Owners?
Held annually without fail since 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously run sporting event in America. Set to take place on May 7, the most famous horse race in the entire world means different things to different people. To some, the day is about tradition and history. To others, it’s about gambling and the thrill of the race itself. To others, the moment is all about mint juleps and big hats.
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To the rich people who own the four-legged contestants, however, the Kentucky Derby is all about the prospect of getting even richer.
A trip to the winner’s circle earns owners a traditional wreath made of roses, a gold trophy and an etching of their names in history — but it also adds seven figures to their stacks. In 2022, the total purse is $3 million, and the 3-year-old Thoroughbred that comes in first at Churchill Downs in Louisville will earn its owner $1.86 million of that haul — and that’s just one race.
1930: Gallant Fox
Owner: Belair Stud
Career earnings: $328,165
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,582,766
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1931: Twenty Grand
Owner: Greentree Stable
Career earnings: $261,790
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,919,325
1932: Burgoo King
Owner: Edward R. Bradley
Career earnings: $110,940
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,328,153
1933: Brokers Tip
Owner: Edward R. Bradley
Career earnings: $49,600
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,131,762
1934: Cavalcade
Owner: Brookmeade Stable
Career earnings: $127,165
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,748,906
1935: Omaha
Owner: Belair Stud
Career earnings: $154,075
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,209,940
1936: Bold Venture
Owner: Morton L. Schwartz
Career earnings: $68,300
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,433,323
1937: War Admiral
Owner: Glen Riddle Farm
Career earnings: $273,240
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,455,388
1938: Lawrin
Owner: Herbert M. Woolf
Career earnings: $126,275
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,574,792
1939: Johnstown
Owner: Belair Stud
Career earnings: $169,315
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,527,445
1940: Gallahadion
Owner: Milky Way Farm
Career earnings: $92,620
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,902,044
1941: Whirlaway
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $561,161
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $11,203,891
1942: Shut Out
Owner: Greentree Stable
Career earnings: $317,507
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,600,278
1943: Count Fleet
Owner: Fannie Hertz
Career earnings: $250,300
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,112,129
1944: Pensive
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $167,715
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,755,356
1945: Hoop Jr.
Owner: Fred W. Hooper
Career earnings: $99,290
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,594,764
1946: Assault
Owner: King Ranch
Career earnings: $675,470
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $10,497,315
1947: Jet Pilot
Owner: Maine Chance Farm
Career earnings: $198,740
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,609,066
1948: Citation
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $1,085,760
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $13,061,102
1949: Ponder
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $541,275
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $6,538,602
1950: Middleground
Owner: King Ranch
Career earnings: $237,725
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,883,835
1951: Count Turf
Owner: Jack J. Amiel
Career earnings: $166,375
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,846,852
1952: Hill Gail
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $335,625
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,655,058
1953: Dark Star
Owner: Cain Hoy Stable
Career earnings: $131,337
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,414,229
1954: Determine
Owner: Andrew J. Crevolin
Career earnings: $573,600
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $6,130,569
1955: Swaps
Owner: Rex C. Ellsworth
Career earnings: $848,900
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $9,140,904
1956: Needles
Owner: D & H Stable
Career earnings: $600,355
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $6,392,758
1957: Iron Liege
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $404,169
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,150,007
1958: Tim Tam
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $467,475
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,650,551
1959: Tomy Lee
Owner: Fred & Juliette Turner
Career earnings: $405,014
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,015,281
1960: Venetian Way
Owner: Sunny Blue Farm
Career earnings: $359,422
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,502,890
1961: Carry Back
Owner: Katherine Price
Career earnings: $1,241,165
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $11,974,493
1962: Decidedly
Owner: El Peco Ranch
Career earnings: $318,989
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,036,775
1963: Chateaugay
Owner: Darby Dan Farm
Career earnings: $360,722
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,400,296
1964: Northern Dancer
Owner: Windfields Farm
Career earnings: $580,647
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,402,535
1965: Lucky Debonair
Owner: Ada L. Rice
Career earnings: $370,960
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,396,576
1966: Kauai King
Owner: Ford Stable
Career earnings: $381,397
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,394,835
1967: Proud Clarion
Owner: Darby Dan Farm
Career earnings: $218,730
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,894,149
1968: Forward Pass
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career earnings: $580,631
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,838,659
1969: Majestic Prince
Owner: Frank M. McMahon
Career earnings: $414,200
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,271,543
1970: Dust Commander
Owner: Robert E. Lehmann
Career earnings: $215,012
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $1,601,472
1971: Canonero II
Owner: Edgar Caibett
Career earnings: $360,933
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,574,930
1972: Riva Ridge
Owner: Meadow Stud
Career earnings: $1,111,497
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $7,681,727
1973: Secretariat
Owner: Meadow Stable
Career earnings: $1,316,808
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $8,623,863
1974: Cannonade
Owner: John M. Olin
Career earnings: $501,164
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,964,746
1975: Foolish Pleasure
Owner: John L. Greer
Career earnings: $1,216,705
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $6,575,330
1976: Bold Forbes
Owner: E. Rodriguez Tizol
Career earnings: $546,536
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,781,085
1977: Seattle Slew
Owner: Karen L. Taylor
Career earnings: $1,208,726
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,763,077
1978: Affirmed
Owner: Harbor View Farm
Career earnings: $2,393,818
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $10,670,267
1979: Spectacular Bid
Owner: Hawksworth Farm
Career earnings: $2,781,608
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $11,184,943
1980: Genuine Risk
Owner: Diana M. Firestone
Career earnings: $646,587
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,272,572
1981: Pleasant Colony
Owner: Buckland Farm
Career earnings: $965,383
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,090,774
1982: Gato Del Sol
Owner: Hancock & Peters
Career earnings: $1,340,107
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,021,776
1983: Sunny’s Halo
Owner: D. J. Foster Stable
Career earnings: $1,247,791
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,616,380
1984: Swale
Owner: Claiborne Farm
Career earnings: $1,583,660
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,403,371
1985: Spend a Buck
Owner: Dennis Diaz
Career earnings: $4,220,689
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $11,309,086
1986: Ferdinand
Owner: Elizabeth A. Keck
Career earnings: $3,777,978
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $9,974,139
1987: Alysheba
Owner: D. & P. Scharbauer
Career earnings: $6,679,242
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $16,978,858
1988: Winning Colors
Owner: Eugene V. Klein
Career earnings: $1,526,837
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,735,930
1989: Sunday Silence
Owner: H-G-W Partners
Career earnings: $4,968,554
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $11,538,604
1990: Unbridled
Owner: Frances A. Genter
Career earnings: $4,489,475
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $9,990,263
1991: Strike the Gold
Owner: BCC Stable
Career earnings: $3,457,026
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $7,329,711
1992: Lil E. Tee
Owner: W. Cal Partee
Career earnings: $1,437,506
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,958,402
1993: Sea Hero
Owner: Rokeby Stable
Career earnings: $2,929,869
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,841,533
1994: Go for Gin
Owner: William J. Condren & Joseph M. Cornacchia
Career earnings: $1,380,866
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,691,556
1995: Thunder Gulch
Owner: Michael Tabor
Career earnings: $2,915,086
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,506,563
1996: Grindstone
Owner: Overbrook Farm
Career earnings: $1,224,510
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,248,094
1997: Silver Charm
Owner: Robert B. & Beverly J. Lewis
Career earnings: $6,944,369
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $12,470,543
1998: Real Quiet
Owner: Mike Pegram
Career earnings: $3,271,802
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,777,986
1999: Charismatic
Owner: Robert B. & Beverly J. Lewis
Career earnings: $2,038,064
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,525,581
2000: Fusaichi Pegasus
Owner: Fusao Sekiguchi
Career earnings: $1,994,400
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,343,428
2001: Monarchos
Owner: John C. Oxley
Career earnings: $1,720,830
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,784,162
2002: War Emblem
Owner: The Thoroughbred Corporation
Career earnings: $3,491,000
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,582,183
2003: Funny Cide
Owner: Sackatoga Stable (Jackson Knowlton)
Career earnings: $3,529,412
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $5,529,810
2004: Smarty Jones
Owner: Someday Farm
Career earnings: $7,613,155
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $11,574,894
2005: Giacomo
Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss
Career earnings: $2,537,316
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,752,513
2006: Barbaro
Owner: Lael Stables (Roy & Gretchen Jackson)
Career earnings: $2,302,200
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,268,601
2007: Street Sense
Owner: James B. Tafel
Career earnings: $4,383,200
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $6,060,080
2008: Big Brown
Owner: IEAH Stable (Michael Iavarone) and Paul P. Pompa Jr.
Career earnings: $3,614,500
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,796,998
2009: Mine That Bird
Owner: Double Eagle Ranch & Bueno Suerte Equine
Career earnings: $2,228,637
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,996,138
2010: Super Saver
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC.
Career earnings: $1,889,766
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,490,239
2011: Animal Kingdom
Owner: Team Valor International
Career earnings: $8,387,500
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $10,671,788
2012: I’ll Have Another
Owner: J. Paul Reddam
Career earnings: $2,693,600
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,369,757
2013: Orb
Owner: Stuart Janney III & Phipps Stable (Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps)
Career earnings: $2,612,516
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $3,224,404
2014: California Chrome
Owner: Steve and Carolyn Coburn & Perry and Denise Martin
Career earnings: $14,752,650
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $17,916,354
2015: American Pharoah
Owner: Ahmed Zayat
Career earnings: $8,650,300
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $10,458,131
2016: Nyquist
Owner: Reddam Racing LLC
Career earnings: $5,189,200
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $6,210,390
2017: Always Dreaming
Owner: Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, Siena Farm LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, MeB Racing Stables LLC, St. Elias Stables, LLC.
Career earnings: $2,415,860
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,838,070
2018: Justify
Owner: China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farms
Career earnings: $3,798,000
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $4,340,192
2019: Country House
Owner: Mrs. JV Shields, EJM McFadden and LNJ Foxwoods
Career earnings: $2,120,175
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,380,234
2020: Authentic
Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing
Career earnings: $7,201,200
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $8,074,970
2021: Mandaloun
Owner: Juddmonte Farms (Khalid Abdullah)
Career earnings: $2,041,252
Career earnings in 2022 dollars: $2,180,086
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Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates looked at Kentucky Derby-winning horses from 1930 onward and used KentuckyDerby.com to find the following for each winner: (1) horse name; (2) jockey name; (3) trainer name; and (4) owner(s) name. Then GOBankingRates used Equibase to find each Kentucky Derby winner’s (5) career earnings and (6) career earnings adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI inflation calculator. All data was collected and is up to date as of April 27, 2022.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Did These Kentucky Derby Winners Make for Their Owners?