Who won the Kentucky Derby? Full 2025 results from Churchill Downs

Bill Mott's Sovereignty clinched the top spot at the 151st annual Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs, bagging a hefty $3.1million in winnings. "It means the world to me," declared an elated jockey Junior Alvarado on NBC live coverage post-race. "My family's here. I thought I had a great chance." Mott added: "He's done well, he's a great horse and he comes from a great organisation. I can't say enough about the horse and the organisation that started him out and did everything to make this happen. It's great and it'll take a while to sink in."

Celebrities flocked to the anticipated 2025 derby with a glam-packed roster featuring Machine Gun Kelly, Simone Biles, Aaron Rodgers, Tracy Morgan, and Blair Underwood, all witnessing Sovereignty's glorious win. Since 1875, the renowned Kentucky Derby traditionally unfolds on the first Saturday in May, sitting as part of the esteemed Triple Crown triumvirate along with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

Securing a Kentucky Derby win notches a prestigious accolade for owners, trainers, and jockeys alike, etching their names into the annals of equine history. This year threw a surprise punch, with all equine contenders three years old, stepping into uncharted territory over the famed 10-furlong (1.25-mile) distance.

Journalism was tipped as the favourite at odds of 3-1 without having ventured past California borders. Journalism rode into the competition on a four-win high but confronted challenges in the betting ring from Sovereignty (9-2), Sandman (5-1), and Burnham Square (8-1).

The 2025 Kentucky Derby saw an estimated crowd of 147,000 spectators, with millions more tuning in across the United States. The previous year's event set a new record with $210m wagered, and with sports betting gradually becoming legal in more states, the amount staked in 2025 is anticipated to reach a new peak.

Here are the full results from the 2025 Kentucky Derby...

2025 Kentucky Derby result in full

1st: Sovereignty 7-1

2nd: Journalism 7-2

3rd: Baeza 17-1

4th: Final Gambit 15-1

5th: Owen Almighty 37-1

6th: Burnham Square 18-1

7th: Sandman 5-1

8th: East Avenue 40-1

9th: Chunk of Gold 27-1

10th: Tiztastic 23-1

11th: Coal Battle 26-1

12th: Luxor Cafe 8-1

13th: Neoequos 38-1

14th: Publisher 31-1

15th: Citizen Bull 13-1

16th: American Promise 12-1

17th: Render Judgment 19-1

18th: Flying Mohawk 26-1

19th: Admire Daytona 39-1

Prize money

The total purse was $5m - which is equal to the 2024 race after a major $3m jump in prize money from 2023. Only the top five horses earned prize money, with each respective jockey taking home 10 per cent of the winnings.

1st - $3.1m

2nd - $1m

3rd - $500,000

4th - $250,000

5th - $150,000