Vintage photos show the glamorous history of the Kentucky Derby
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- The Kentucky Derby, which started in 1875, is the oldest continuous major sporting event in the US.
- On May 4, Churchill Downs will once again be filled with thousands of spectators to watch the race.
- These photos show how the celebrations have changed — and how they've stayed the same.
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The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest days in sports, with over $100 million placed in bets on which horse will win — or lose — the big day.
On Saturday, the spectators at Churchill Downs will be there for a milestone: This year's race is the 150th Kentucky Derby, after it started way back in 1875.
Here's what it was like to attend the Kentucky Derby from the 1920s all the way to the early 2000s.
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Sarah Jacobs and Caroline Fox contributed to a prior version of this story.
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Though the Kentucky Derby got its start in 1875, photos only began to appear in the 1920s. During this time, the Derby was first broadcast on the radio and 5 to 6 million listeners tuned in.
Starting in 1931, the Kentucky Derby was scheduled for the first Sunday of every May.
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Even during the Great Depression, the race continued, though tickets were 50 cents for a spot in the infield. In 1932, it was broadcast on the radio internationally.
In 1945, for the first time, the Kentucky Derby was delayed. From January until May, horse racing was banned as it was deemed a waste of resources during World War II. The race finally went ahead on June 9.
Source: NBC Sports
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It was broadcast on national television for the first time in 1952, with an estimated 10 to 15 million viewers.
Even in the 1950s, the Derby was a place to be seen. Here, New Orleans restaurateur Diamond Jim Moran gets his diamond-studded toupee adjusted before taking off for the event. He was reportedly paid $50,000 to make an appearance.
Source: New Orleans Magazine
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By the 1950s, those attending the races still abided by the original dress code that was instated by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., which called for "full morning dress."
Source: Time
In the '60s, the Derby added Millionaires Row, a premium spot to view the races and dine during the event.
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In 1969, President Nixon and his wife, Pat, sat alongside then-Governor Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, in the first-row box.
Secretariat, the winning horse of the 1973 race, still holds the record for the fastest finishing time: 1:59.40.
Source: Quartz
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For the Derby's 100th anniversary in 1974, 163,628 fans gathered to watch the race in person, including Princess Margaret.
In 1984, more than $18.9 million was waged on a single race, which was a North American record. In 2023, that number rose to $188.7 million.
Source: Spectrum News
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In 1986, Churchill Downs officially became a National Historic Landmark.
Bold hats and outfits continued to be a staple of the Kentucky Derby in the '80s.
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In the 1990s, Kentucky Derby ticket prices were raised to $30. This year, tickets for general admission and standing room started at $275.
Source: Kentucky Derby
In 1999, fans were able to place Future Wagers, which allow spectators to bet on contenders leading up to Derby Day, raising their chances of winning.
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Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali presented the '95 trophy to jockey Donna Barton.
During the '90s, the hat styles became even more outrageous, with fans wearing bold and non-traditional hats.
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Some women kept it traditional ...
... while others wore unique pieces.
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Even in the early 2000s, attendees were still paying homage to the original dress code.
Singer Macy Gray wore a bright pink hat to the 2004 races ...
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... and so did singer Jessica Simpson.
On May 4, the Kentucky Derby is welcoming racehorses, jockeys, and fans back to the legendary Churchill Downs for the 150th year.
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