The Kentucky Derby's traditions weren't planned by committee - they evolved naturally, often by happy accident. Take the mint julep, which wasn't even the original Derby drink. While juleps had been popular in Kentucky since the 18th century, they didn't become the official Derby cocktail until 1938, when Churchill Downs began serving them in souvenir glasses at 75 cents each.¹
The roses came about similarly. The rose garland wasn't part of the first Derby - it was introduced in 1896 when Ben Bruce presented roses to winner Ben Brush.² The term "Run for the Roses" caught on in the 1920s when sports writer Bill Corum used it in his column.³ The current garland design, featuring more than 400 roses sewn onto green satin, dates from 1932.⁴
As for Derby fashion, the early years were actually quite restrained. The extravagant hats we now associate with Derby Day emerged gradually in the 1960s and 70s, as post-war American fashion became more expressive.⁵ The tradition of wearing morning dress in the paddock area, however, dates back to the earliest Derbys, reflecting the race's inspiration from European classics.⁶
"My Old Kentucky Home" became part of Derby Day by chance in 1921, when the University of Louisville band played it as a favorite horse was coming to the post. The crowd's reaction was so positive that it stuck.⁷ By 1930, it was played as the horses walked to the post, exactly as it is today.⁸
Even the famous twin spires weren't in the original plans. Architect Joseph Dominic Baldez added them to his 1895 grandstand design as a finishing touch, creating what would become the track's most recognizable feature.⁹
References
¹ Thomas, Samuel W. "The Kentucky Derby: A Celebration of Kentucky and its Heritage." Kentucky Derby Museum, 1995, p. 78.
² Churchill Downs Archives. "Derby Traditions Collection." Accession #1896-054.
³ Nicholson, James C. "The Kentucky Derby: How the Run for the Roses Became America's Premier Sporting Event." University Press of Kentucky, 2012, p. 156.
⁴ Kentucky Derby Museum. "Evolution of Derby Traditions." Permanent Exhibition Records.
⁵ Ronnie, Claire. "Derby Style: A Century of Derby Fashion." Louisville Magazine, May 1974.
⁶ Ward, Arch. "The Kentucky Derby Story." A.S. Barnes, 1964, p. 89.
⁷ Louisville Courier-Journal. "Song Captures Derby Crowd." May 8, 1921.
⁸ Kentucky Derby Media Guide, 2023 Edition. Churchill Downs, p. 45.
⁹ Churchill Downs Archives. "Architectural Records, 1895." Accession #1895-023.
