Kentucky Derby Winners: Gray Horse Edition

“I’m rooting for the gray horse!” It’s a phrase you inevitably hear when you visit the track. Since they aren’t as common as bays or chestnuts, gray horses certainly have a way of catching people’s eye. In the 2016 Kentucky Derby, four gray horses will have their chance at glory. If you were to go around Churchill Downs May 7 and ask people which horse they hope to see win, you would undoubtedly get Mohaymen, Creator, Lani, and Destin simply because they are “the gray horse.” With a full 20 horse field, there is a 20% chance the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner will be gray. Eight in total have won the Kentucky Derby, and the last one to do so was 11 years ago.

Giacomo (2005): Giacomo went off in the Kentucky Derby at 50-1, but stunned the field to win by half a length. He ran seven times prior to his Kentucky Derby victory, registering only one win as a two year old in a maiden race. Giacomo did not win again until the San Diego Handicap his four-year-old year. He now stands stud at Oakhurst Thoroughbreds in Oregon.

Monarchos (2001): Monarchos advanced quickly after breaking his maiden at the beginning of his three-year-old year. He then won an allowance race before finishing first in the Florida Derby and second in the Wood Memorial. Following his Kentucky Derby win, Monarchos did not seem to hold the same form. He ran only three more times, finishing third at best. Monarchos is currently in Midway, Kentucky at Nuckols Farm for stud duty.

Silver Charm (1997): Silver Charm missed the Triple Crown victory by 3/4 of a length. As a four-year-old he won the Dubai World Cup and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, again by 3/4 of a length. He raced through his five-year-old season, stood stud in Japan, and now resides at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky where fans may visit him. Silver Charm was the Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in 1997 and entered the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Winning Colors (1988): Winning Colors was the last of three fillies to win the Kentucky Derby. Before taking the Run for the Roses, she won both the Santa Anita Oaks and the Santa Anita Derby. Though her winning streak did not remain strong after the Kentucky Derby, Winning Colors still earned Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Filly honors in 1988. She also entered the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Gato Del Sol (1982): Out of 12 starts before his Kentucky Derby victory, Gato Del Sol’s only wins beforehand were at two-years-old in a maiden race and the Del Mar Futurity. He stood stud at Stone Farm in Paris, Kentucky before being sold to Germany. Gato Del Sol was purchased back by his original owners and came home to Stone Farm, where he lived out the rest of his life.

Spectacular Bid (1979): There are not many like Spectacular Bid. He won 26 starts out of 30 and was honored as Eclipse Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, Three-Year-Old Colt, Older Horse, and Horse of the Year. He also earned his way into the Hall of Fame in 1982. After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Spectacular Bid finished third in the Belmont. Many people today still feel that he was supposed to be a Triple Crown winner. He first stood stud at Claiborne Farm before relocating to Milfer Farm in New York.

Decidedly (1962): Decidedly and his sire Determine are one of the father-son combinations to win the Kentucky Derby. In 1963, Decidedly also received the Sovereign Award for Champion Older Horse.

Determine (1954): Determine had a lot of success racing on the West coast, winning 18 of 44 starts. He was the first gray horse to win the Kentucky Derby. His son Decidedly was the second.

By Christine Oser