Our best photos, videos from KY Derby 2025: Sovereignty’s win, fashion, celebrities
Herald-Leader Staff Report
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2025 Kentucky Derby coverage
Click below to view more coverage from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com at the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Sovereignty — ridden by Junior Alvarado, trained by Bill Mott and owned and bred by Godolphin, was followed by Journalism, Baeza and Final Gambit. Owen Almighty, Burnham Square, Sandman, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold and Tiztastic rounded out the top 10 while Coal Battle, Luxor Cafe, Neoequos, Publisher, Citizen Bull, American Promise, Render Judgment, Flying Mohawk and Admire Daytona completed the order of finish.
Here are some of the best photos and video from the first Saturday in May. On display was a Kentucky tradition, reflecting the grand spectacle the Kentucky Derby has become since it was first ran in 1875.
The 151st Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby 151 won by Sovereignty with Junior Alvarado up, trained by Bill Mott, Saturday, May 03, 2025 at the Churchill Downs in Louisville. Jonathan Palmer Team Coyle
Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up (18) leads the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Kentucky Derby 151 won by Sovereignty with Junior Alvarado up, trained by Bill Mott, Saturday, May 03, 2025 at the Churchill Downs in Louisville.Winning Trainer Bill Mott hoists the solid gold winning trophy. Lewis Gardner Team Coyle
Junior Alvarado, aboard Sovereignty, reacts after winning the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Junior Alvarado celebrates aboard Sovereignty after winning the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Bryan Woolston
Sovereignty wins the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Sovereignty, with jockey Junior Alvarado up, left, wins the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Dexter Simms
Derby Day fashion
Kesha Johnson wore a blue, gold and silver hat from a Nigerian milliner during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Colleen Mulroe during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Stacy King at Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Horse racing fans during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Camden and Logan Walker during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Al Flanagan wore a peacock feather bow tie and a purple and green color scheme during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Willie Bennett in a sequined suit jacket during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Kathleen Kenneally custom ordered her dress and hat from Ireland for Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Emily Stanley wore a hat from Etsy during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. Amy Wallot
Derby Day celebrities
Former Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe speaks to media at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
TV personality and chef Guy Fieri speaks to media at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
Jayson Werth, owner of Flying Mohawk, speaks to media at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
Creator of “Yellowstone” Taylor Sheridan walks the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Friday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
Former University of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis poses for photos at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to media at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
Miss Kentucky USA Connor Perry poses for photos at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
Influencer Alix Earle speaks to media at the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Mueller
The Derby Day experience
Derby-goers are excited for their horse at Churchill Downs on Derby Day 2025. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
A woman walks thorough a puddle on the day of the 151th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Bryan Woolston
Derby-goers in the infield cheer for their horse at Churchill Downs on Derby Day 2025. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Garey Faulkner, a roofer from Cincinnati, has been coming to the Derby for a decade. He claimed third place at the 2019 World Beard and Mustache Championship held in Belgium, and has multiple other national titles. Ed Marlowe
Spectators cheer during the first race of the day ahead of the 151th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Bryan Woolston
Attendees gather on the day of the 151th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Bryan Woolston
