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.

                By                    Andrew Lisa                

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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.

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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.

Here’s a look at what the winners from Kentucky Derbys past have earned their owners dating back to 1930, and what those winnings would look like when adjusted for inflation into 2022 dollars.

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