If you have ever watched the Kentucky Derby and wondered why the starting gate seems to be filled almost entirely with colts and geldings, you are not alone. They are eligible to compete, and a handful have even made history by winning the race. Fillies are not banned from the Kentucky Derby. A widespread belief persists that fillies are banned from the Kentucky Derby, but the truth is more nuanced. The real question is not whether they are allowed, but why so few choose to run It's one of those things that adds up. Nothing fancy..
Are Fillies Actually Banned from the Kentucky Derby?
The short answer is no. The Kentucky Derby is open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds, regardless of sex. Colts, geldings, and fillies can all enter the race provided they meet the qualification standards, which include earning enough points through the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races.
There is one small difference in how they carry weight. In the Kentucky Derby, colts and geldings are assigned 126 pounds, while fillies receive a five-pound allowance and carry 121 pounds. This weight concession is designed to acknowledge the average physical differences between male and female horses at age three, but it does not constitute a ban. If a filly’s connections want to enter her in the most famous race in American horse racing, the door is open Less friction, more output..
A Brief History of Fillies in the Kentucky Derby
Although fillies are eligible, they are rare participants. Over the long history of the Kentucky Derby, only three fillies have ever crossed the finish line first:
- Regret (1915): The first filly to win the Kentucky Derby, Regret proved that female horses could compete against the best colts of her era.
- Genuine Risk (1980): After a 65-year gap, Genuine Risk became the second filly to win
