In which year did the first Kentucky Derby take place?
In the spring of 1875, an extraordinary event unfolded in the world of horse racing—the very first Kentucky Derby took place. It was a momentous occasion that occurred on May 17th of that year, forever marking a new chapter in the sport’s history.
The visionary behind this iconic race was Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who aimed to create a premier horse racing spectacle in the United States. With a dream in mind, Clark founded the Louisville Jockey Club and raised the necessary funds to build an exceptional racetrack, which we now know as Churchill Downs.
On that eagerly anticipated day, a vibrant crowd of around 10,000 spectators gathered to witness the inaugural Kentucky Derby. Excitement filled the air as 15 three-year-old thoroughbred horses lined up at the starting gate, their jockeys poised for a thrilling dash to the finish line.
Out of the determined field emerged a triumphant colt named Aristides, skillfully ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis and trained by Ansel Williamson. With unyielding determination and incredible speed, Aristides blazed ahead, conquering the 1.5-mile distance in a remarkable time of 2 minutes and 37.75 seconds, etching his name forever in the annals of horse racing as the first Kentucky Derby winner.
Since that historic day in 1875, the Kentucky Derby has evolved into a celebrated tradition, captivating audiences worldwide with its unique blend of athleticism, elegance, and timeless allure. Every year, on the first Saturday of May, horse racing enthusiasts and spectators gather at Churchill Downs to witness the thrilling “Run for the Roses,” immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and witnessing the triumphs of both equine and human athletes.
The Olympics are almost a year away. And although there is still time before the grand sports celebration, savvy punters have already begun their preparations.
Derek Chisora was born in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, on December 29, 1983 so, at the time of writing, he is 39 years old and just a month or so shy of his thirty-ninth birthday. A resident of Finchley, North London since the late nineties, it would be fair to say that, as a legitimate heavyweight contender, his star is on the wane. Chisora has challenged for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title once, losing by unanimous decision to Vitali Klitschko at the Olympiahalle, Munich in December, 2012, and again to Tyson Fury in December 2022.
Participating under the auspices of Masters Swimming Canada, which offers competitive swimming for contestants aged 25 years and upwards, the oldest competitive swimmer in the world was the late Jaring Timmerman, who died in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 105, in November, 2014. Remarkably, Timmerman did not start swimming competitively until 1978, but subsequently set a raft of Canadian national records, in the 85-89, 90-94, 95-99 and, most recently, 100-104 age groups.