What links Secretariat, Martha Stewart, and Jack Harlow? Discover the unusual connections to the one-of-a-kind Kentucky Derby race.
The Kentucky Derby holds a special place in America's heart. Horses like War Admiral and Secretariat have triumphed in this iconic race, and this year, Stewart is the ceremonial leader of the event.
This race captivates the nation despite the general decline of horse racing in mainstream America. In fact, last year, 15 million people tuned in to NBC's coverage of the Kentucky Derby broadcast. That ranks it among the four most-watched non-football programs of 2023, alongside the State of the Union address and the entertainment following the Super Bowl.
An impressive 17 million people watch the race itself, dubbed "the most exciting two minutes in sports." This is quite an achievement given the overall decline in television viewership for most sports events.
Meanwhile, the other two legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, drew only 5 million and 4 million viewers respectively - figures that remain relatively unchanged from the previous year.
Interestingly, horse racing doesn't hold a favored position in most Americans' hearts. According to a 2023 Ipsos poll, less than 1% of respondents named it as their favorite sport to watch. In the 1930s, racehorses were more popular, ranking fourth after baseball, football, and basketball.
Among those who watched a horse race over the past year, 35% claimed they only watched one. This is a surprisingly high percentage for any sport.
Apart from the race, the Kentucky Derby experiences an overwhelming attendance rate of 150,000 spectators, more than the Super Bowl. The event's appeal spans beyond the race itself.
The two-week festival leading up to the Kentucky Derby is another primary attraction. In Louisville, the Derby Festival is the largest annual event, drawing massive crowds and lots of local enthusiasm.
Mint juleps, a popular drink consumed during the Derby, have their own day - "Mint Julep Day." With over 100,000 sold annually, this beverage is as iconic as the race itself. The search volume for mint juleps on Google also spikes notably during the month of May, attesting to its popularity.
Women at the Derby wear hats, making it a stylish affair. Around 90% of women are seen donning hats, some worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Celebrities like Martha Stewart, Kid Rock, Josh Groban, and Jack Harlow are also frequent attendees, contributing to the event's star-studded aura.
Without having an exact number, the stars in attendance could be estimated at nearly $20 million. One of the many galas held in preparation for the Derby, the Barnstable Brown Gala, has raised this amount for charity since its inception 35 years ago.
The sheer amount of attention on the celebrities and glamorous atmosphere adds to the Derby's charm. Despite the actual race lasting only two minutes, NBC airs a five-hour-long broadcast, mirroring the annual Super Bowl coverage.
While horse racing once had a unique advantage - it was the only legal form of gambling - that is no longer the case given the widespread legalization of sports betting. However, this has not deterred the Derby from maintaining its status as a major cultural event.
The Kentucky Derby has survived for nearly 150 years and seems to have no plans to leave the spotlight any time soon.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
