written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
05 May 2025
Journalist, Editorial Department
At the 151st Kentucky Derby this weekend, the horse Sovereignty triumphed over the favorite, Journalist. This event enabled organizers to set a new record for betting volume. A crowd of 147,000 spectators attended the races, contributing to a historic financial success for Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI). On the first day alone, total bets reached $349 million (₽28.44 billion), an increase of 8.9% compared to last year's milestone race.
The entire Derby week generated a record $473.9 million (₽38.62 billion), comfortably surpassing the previous total of $446.6 million. On the online platform TwinSpires, daily betting volume hit $108 million (₽8.8 billion). Additionally, spectators placed bets totaling $73 million (₽5.95 billion) on the main race. These figures exceeded previous records by 17% and 19.9%, respectively.
The day's standout was Sovereignty, who defied odds of 7 to 1 to outpace the favorite, Journalist, in front of tens of thousands of viewers.
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, congratulated the owners and trainers of the new champion. He stated, "Following a successful anniversary year, we are confidently continuing to grow the popularity of the Derby. The record bets made by our customers allow us to achieve one of the best EBITDA figures in the company's history."
Organizers confirmed that shortly before the Kentucky Derby, they secured a partnership agreement with automotive giant Ford, which will remain an official partner of the operator until 2029. This move strengthens the commercial power of the Derby for years to come.
It is worth noting that Churchill Downs reported record net revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
