The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday of May, every year, and has been an American tradition since 1875. The Grade I race at Louisville, Kentucky, is for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. 

This derby marks the end of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The racing event is popularly known as the ‘Race of Roses’ or ‘Run for the Roses’. It comes from a beautiful tradition accompanying the race, made even better by the flowers which have played a crucial role since the derby’s inception. 

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The Kentucky Derby gets the ‘Race of Roses’ nickname from a special prize given out to the winner. Since around the time the race began, in 1883, this has remained a firm tradition. Winners of the derby get a bouquet of 564 red roses at the end of the race. 

When the practice began, E. Berry Wall, a New York socialite, was known for giving roses to women who attended the party after the Kentucky Derby. Founder and president of Churchill Downs, Colonel M. Lewis Clark, was in attendance at one such event and witnessed Wall’s gesture firsthand. 

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Thus, he made the rose the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. Many years later, starting in 1896, the rose started being draped around the race winner. Having continued to this day, the rose now symbolizes the horse’s beauty and is a recognition of the great achievement by man and animal, at the end of the contest. 

After every derby, the Governor of Kentucky gives roses to the winners as well as the customary trophy.

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The popularity of this tradition led Dan Fogelberg, renowned vocalist and musician, to compose ‘Run for the Roses’ in 1982, written with the event in mind, and released ahead of the race that year. 

There are some other traditions observed during the derby as well, like mint julep being the drink of choice for those attending the race. Burgoo, a popular dish is also served to those attending.