From Last To First: Golden Tempo Wins Kentucky Derby 2026 In Sensational Fashion

Golden Tempo and jockey Jose Ortiz etched their names into the horse racing history books after winning the Kentucky Derby 2026 at Churchill Downs on Friday (May 2) in a sensational fashion. The three-year-old American thoroughbred was last in a field of 18 horses for much of the race, covering at least 10 furlongs for "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports", but when the time the event ended, it won by a neck, with a time of 2:02.27. The win also helped Cherie DeVaux become the first woman to win the event as a trainer. The latest iteration marked the 152nd running, continuing its legacy as America's longest continuously held sporting event. Also known as the "Run for the Roses" and serving as the first leg of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing, it is held each year on the first Saturday in May in Louisville. Here are our top photos from the Kentucky Derby, an event that continues to blend high-speed competition with fashion and deep-rooted tradition.

Updated on: 3 May 2026 2:56 pm

Published at: 3 May 2026 2:56 pm

Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Jockey Jose L. Ortiz

Jockey Jose L. Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo to victory the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

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Jockey Jose L. Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo to victory in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

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Jockey Jose L. Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo to victory the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Jockey Jose L. Ortiz, left, is congratulated by Irad Ortiz, Jr. atop Renegade, after riding Golden Tempo to victory during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Golden Tempo

Golden Tempo (19) ridden by Jose L. Ortiz wins the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Jeff Roberson

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Jose L. Ortiz

Golden Tempo, left, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz wins the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky . | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos- Fans watch as Golden Tempo (19) ridden by Jose L. Ortiz wins the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Jockey Jose L. Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo (19) to victory the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Bob Dean

Bob Dean reacts after winning his bet on a race before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/George Walker IV

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Fans watch a video board before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/George Walker IV

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A woman holds drinks as people pass before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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A woman wears a hat before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Fans head to the grandstand before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Garey Faulkner

Garey Faulkner wears a hat before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/George Walker IV

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A woman wears a hat before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Paul Anderson

Paul Anderson smokes a cigar before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-Andrew Lin

Andrew Lin reacts as he watches a race on a screen before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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Fans stand under cover before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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A fan places a bet before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel

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A race fan wears a colorful jacket before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/George Walker IV

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Kentucky Derby 2026 Tradition, fashion and horse racing photos-A race fan

A race fan arrives before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Photo: AP/George Walker IV