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Kentucky Derby 2027
Rosiemeow, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fri, 30 Apr 2027 · Horse Racing

Hotels for Kentucky Derby 2027

In Louisville on Fri, 30 Apr 2027. 47 hotels within a 10-minute walk of Louisville and 104 within 20 minutes — book close and keep the journey home short.

When
Fri, 30 Apr 2027 · starts 8pm local time
Venue
Louisville
Hotels within a 10-minute walk
47
Typical weather
April here averages 13°C, with around 131 mm of rain across the month.

Climate data: NASA POWER

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About Kentucky Derby 2027

The Kentucky Derby — 'the most exciting two minutes in sports' — is American racing's crown jewel, run on the first Saturday of May, 1 May 2027, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Mint juleps, extravagant hats, 'My Old Kentucky Home' and a roaring crowd of over 150,000 make Derby day one of the great occasions in world sport.

Louisville fills completely for the weekend, so book as far ahead as you can. Stay downtown or near the track and you're close to the action, the bourbon distilleries and the Ohio River waterfront — pair the Run for the Roses with a taste of Southern hospitality and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for a trip to remember.

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Book your stay near Louisville

47 hotels within a 10-minute walk of Louisville and 104 within 20 minutes. Live prices for your dates — one total price, no extras at checkout.

Time listed: 8pm (local time at the venue)

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Getting to Louisville from your hotel

Walks are measured on foot and counted over the hotels we can book, nearest first. Tap one to see live prices for your dates with that hotel and its neighbours in view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (opens in a new tab)

History

The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race in the United States, run on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville. First contested in 1875, it was the creation of Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr, who took his inspiration from the Epsom Derby and Longchamp in Europe. The race is the opening leg of America's Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, and is restricted to three-year-old thoroughbreds who run a mile and a quarter on dirt.

Its winner is draped in a garland of more than 400 roses, which gives the race its nickname, the Run for the Roses, and the fastest recognised time belongs to the great Secretariat, whose 1973 record still stands. Around the racing, mint juleps, extravagant hats and a stirring rendition of 'My Old Kentucky Home' before the off make Derby day one of the great occasions in the American sporting and social calendar.

Records & quirks

  • The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
  • It is the first leg of American racing's Triple Crown, ahead of the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
  • The race is contested by three-year-old thoroughbreds over a mile and a quarter on dirt.
  • Secretariat set the still-standing track record when winning the Derby in 1973.
  • The winner is draped in a garland of roses, giving the race the nickname the Run for the Roses.
  • It is traditionally run on the first Saturday in May.

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