Updated: Aug. 19, 2020 at 8:55 AM

The Kentucky Derby through the years(51 images)

Known for mint juleps, bold fashion and wagering, the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., is the longest-running sporting event in the United States, first held in 1875. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's iconic race will be postponed until September. Here's a look back through the history of the event.

Steve Buttleman plays the traditional "Call to the Post," signaling the approaching start of the 126th Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2000. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Left to right, Suzanne Richter, Barbara Garren, Lisa Orsen, Jan Zobel and Sarah Jessup discuss odds and their favorite horses before the 2000 race. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Penny Benway celebrates after the horse she bet on won the fourth race at the 126th Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2000. It was her first time at the derby. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Kent Desoumeaux (R) turns to look at Alex Solis after they cross the finish line on May 6, 2000. Desoumeaux and Fusaichi Pegasus became the first favorite in 21 years to win the Kentucky Derby. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Spectors drink mint juleps at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2001. Mint Juleps are the official drink for the Kentucky Oaks, held the week before, and Kentucky Derby. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Monarchos, ridden by jockey Jorge Chavez, breaks away from the pack in the stretch on May 5, 2001. Monarchos won with the second fastest time in the history of the Derby. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Pat Day returns from winning the 8th race on May 2, 2002. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Painter Peter Williams puts the finishing touches on a sketch of the paddock area at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2002. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Victor Espinoza, riding War Emblem, stands up in the stirrups after winning the 128th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2002. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Funny Cide, winner of the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby, gets a sponge bath in the Winner's Circle on May 3, 2003. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Smarty Jones owner Roy Chapman (L), and jockey Stewart Elliott wave to the crowd after winning the 130th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2004. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Tapit trainer Michael Dickinson checks the track at Churchill Downs before the start of the 130th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2004. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Mike Smith, riding Giacomo (L), gives the thumbs-up after beating Cornelio Velasquez on Closing Argument to win the 131st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2005 in Louisville, Ky. Giacomo started the race as a 50-1 long shot. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip watch the parade of jockeys before the start of the 133rd Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2007. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Calvin Borel, riding Street Sense, celebrates winning the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2007. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Kent Desormeaux, riding Big Brown, leads the pack en route to winning the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

A fan watches the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic race before the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

A spectators head to the infield of Churchill Downs before the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Calvin Borel, riding Mine That Bird, celebrates his victory in the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. Photo by Mark Cowan/UPI | License Photo

Race fans cheer their horse across the finish line during the third race before the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2012. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Mario Gutierrez on I'll Have Another (R) leads John Velazquez aboard Went The Day Well on a cool-down lap after winning the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2012. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Joel Rosario, riding Orb, celebrates after winning the 139th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2013. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Kentucky Derby hopeful California Chrome gets a bath after a morning workout at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2014. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

An outrider watches morning workouts at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2014. Trainers are preparing their horses to run in the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby two days later. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Horses break from the starting gate for the start of the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2014. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Victor Esponoza, aboard California Chrome, celebrates as he wins the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2014. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Racing fans watch as trainers prepare their horses for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 2, 2015. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Race fans make their way into Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day on May 1, 2015 in Louisville, Ky. The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is the next day. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

A racing fan enjoys her mint juleps before the running of the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2015. Photo by John Sommers/UPI | License Photo

Horses round the fourth turn in the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2015. Photo by John Sommers/UPI | License Photo

Victor Espinosa, who rode American Pharoah, celebrates in the Winner's Circle after finishing first in the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2015. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI | License Photo

A horse grazes in the backside barn area after morning workouts at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2016. Trainers are preparing their horses for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby two days later. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Trainer Bob Baffert watches his horses on the track during morning workout at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2016. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

A rainy day morning workout at Churchill Downs the Thursday before the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2016. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI | License Photo

Women wearing festive hats watch the first race on Kentucky Derby day, May 6, 2016, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Fans fill the sets at Churchill Downs as they prepare for the running of the 142nd Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2016. Photo by John Sommers /UPI | License Photo

Spectators watch the fifth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2016. Photo by Frank Polich/UPI | License Photo

Horses are walked in their barn by their grooms during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2017. Trainers are preparing their horses for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby three days later. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Kentucky Derby hopeful Classic Empire gallops on the track during early morning workouts on May 3, 2017. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Horses race on a very muddy track in an early race at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2017. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Fancy hats rule the day at Churchill Downs as fans prepare for the running of the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2017. Photo by John Sommers /UPI | License Photo

Horses round the first turn of the track during the running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2017. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Jockey John Velazquez, aboard Always Dreaming, celebrates winning the 143rd running of Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2017. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Racing fans watch Kentucky Derby hopeful Justify as he's washed down after an early morning gallop on the track during a workout at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2018. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

A farrier fits a horse with a new shoe after a morning workout at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2018. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Grooms wash down their horses in the barn area as part of early morning workouts at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2018. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

A racing patron waits for the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2018. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Mike Smith, aboard Justify, reacts after winning the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2018. Photo by Jason Szenes/UPI | License Photo

Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach reacts to his exercise rider during his bath after his early morning workouts as they prepare for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2019. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Spectators watch from the stands during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

Jockey Flavien Prat, riding Country House (in yellow silks, races down the stretch as Luis Saez, riding Maximum Security (R), appears to win the race. Maximum Security was taken down due to an objection by Prat at the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI | License Photo

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