• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Sovereignty Wins Kentucky Derby, $3.1M Purse

Heading into the race, Journalism was favored to win with 3–1 odds, with Sovereignty (5–1) holding the next-best chance.

Jeremy O’Brien/FOS

Sovereignty has won the 151st Kentucky Derby, edging out the favored horse Journalism despite a late push on a muddy track.

Sovereignty’s team will receive $3.1 million of the $5 million purse, usually with 80% going to the owner, 10% going to the jockey, and 10% going to the trainer. Last year, Churchill Downs raised the purse from $3 million to $5 million, the largest prize in the event’s history, and the biggest payout in horse racing’s Triple Crown. The winnings are unchanged this year.

Last year’s winner, Mystik Dan, took home that $3.1 million award in a historically tight race. Churchill Downs saw its highest attendance since 2018 with 156,710 fans and its best TV audience since 1989 with an average of 16.7 million viewers watching at home. Churchill Downs Incorporated, which runs the derby, had in 2024 a record revenue of $2.7 billion, up 11% from the year before.

Heading into the race, Journalism was favored to win with 3–1 odds, with Sovereignty (5–1) holding the next-best chance.

Baeza finished in third place, and Final Gambit was fourth.

Last year, bettors set a new record of $210.7 million wagered on the race, which was $20 million more than the previous high set the year before. Betting on all Derby Day races also hit a new mark last year at $320.5 million.

New to Churchill Downs this year are the $85 million starting gate courtyard and pavilion. Last week, Churchill Downs announced it would pause a $920 million renovation due to “increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to tariff and trade disputes as well as current macro-economic conditions.” An additional $30 million in renovations to be completed by next year were announced at the same time as the larger pause.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
July 18, 2025

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.
July 18, 2025

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 18, 2025

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.
Lloyd Howell
July 18, 2025

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.
July 17, 2025

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
exclusive
July 17, 2025

WNBA, Union Make Little Progress on CBA at All-Star Meeting

Over 40 players showed up for labor negotiations with the league.