The 9 Best Traditions of the Kentucky Derby

Take 145 years of history, add high ticket price tags and even higher betting stakes, plus a dash of superstition and you will get plenty of traditions that surround the Kentucky Derby. Local Kentuckians, visitors, horse race veterans and gambling newbies all gather at this prestigious event, but—local and visitor alike—everyone partakes in the same beloved traditions. With a little preparation, you will be sipping mint juleps, wearing a jaunty hat and betting your trifectas with the rest of them! Here are the best traditions to know before you travel to the Kentucky Derby.

9. Jockey Silks

If you’ve seen a horse race before, you may have noticed the funny looking shirts each jockey wears. The history of jockey silks dates back to the 16th century, where they were worn more like a coat of arms, to indicate the colors and house of the owners of the horses. Although they are now made of nylon or rayon, the concept of representing the team that supports the horse remains, and jockeys take great pride in the silks they wear at big races like the Derby. The Kentucky Derby Museum is home to silks from Derby winners throughout the years, and breaks down what the patterns, symbols and colors mean. 

8. Pink Friday at the Oaks

One of the favorite pre-Derby events that you can’t miss is the Kentucky Oaks, which is run the day before the Derby. The dress code for this event is very specific—everyone wears pink. You can nod to the tradition with a bow, hat or necktie, or go all out with a full pink dress or suit, but be sure to pack some pink for this race. The tradition comes from the subjects of the race, the Oaks is a race for three-year fillies (female horses). Churchill Downs has carried on the tradition by establishing  the Survivor’s March, for survivors of breast cancer. Wear your pink to the Oaks to honor breast cancer warriors and join the celebration.

7. Derby Outfits

The Kentucky Derby is your opportunity to pull out all the sartorial stops. The Derby is the social event of the year in Kentucky, so attendees dress to see and be seen. Even the infield party-goers will throw on a brightly colored sundress or a bow tie for the occasion. Fashion is so important to the Derby, they even have an official apparel sponsor, Vineyard Vines. If you’re lacking inspiration for what to wear, check out their Derby collection for horse racing-inspired designs.

6. The Kentucky Derby Trophy

The Kentucky Derby trophy design was commissioned in 1925 and has been presented to the owner of the winning horse ever since. The 6 pound trophy is completely made out of solid gold, with smaller silver versions presented to the winning rocky and trainer. Interestingly, the horseshoe in the design was originally pointing down, but in deference to racing tradition, the design was changed in 1999 so that the horseshoe points up. The superstition goes that if the horseshoe points down, all the luck will run out, but a horseshoe facing up will keep the luck in.

5. Gambling

Gambling at the Kentucky Derby is as essential to the experience as enjoying a mint julep or wearing a Derby hat. These days there are live tellers, self-service kiosks and even mobile apps to place your bets on and hope you win big. Before you go to the Derby, you may want to study up on what horse race gambling is, common terms and how to place a bet. After a few races day of, you’ll get the hang of it, and you’ll be betting with the pros. 

4. Mint Juleps

The Kentucky Derby’s signature drink is ubiquitous in Kentucky all year long, but nothing beats sipping an ice cold julep in the stands at Churchill Downs. A simple cocktail of bourbon, sugar and mint, the julep is usually served in a silver or pewter glass. Traditionally, the winners of the Derby meet with the governor of Kentucky and toast their win with sterling silver julep glasses. At the Derby, you can get your mint julep in a signature glass with the names of all the previous winners engraved on it. 

3. Garland of Roses

The Kentucky Derby is known as the “Run for the roses,” and true to its name, the winning horse is draped with a garland of over 400 red roses. The winning jockey is also handed 60 long-stemmed roses as they parade around the track. This tradition apparently comes from when roses were handed out at a Derby party in 1883. These days, you can be a part of the tradition by seeing the garland up close as it’s made. Volunteer store workers at a local grocery store hand-sew the 40-pound garland every year. 

2. My Old Kentucky Home

A favorite tradition every year, the Louisville Band plays “My Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster as the Derby horses are lining up. This tradition started in 1921, when the Kentucky born and bred horse Behave Yourself took home the roses. Kentuckians and visitors alike sing along in unison to honor the proud home so much racing excellence. 

1. Derby Hats

The Kentucky Derby hats are probably the most recognizable tradition at the Derby, and they are probably also most people’s favorite. Nothing beats putting on a fancy hat for a day at the races, but the Derby hats also have an interesting history. As the superstition goes, the bigger the hat, the more luck the wearer will have. Derby hats are the ultimate accessory, so whether you go all out, or if you just want to enjoy the parade of millinery concoctions, you will have a great time hot-spotting at the Derby.