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Women in the Kentucky Derby: A Historical Perspective
Breaking Barriers in the Sport of Kings
The Kentucky Derby, known as "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports," has a long and storied history. However, for much of its existence, women were largely absent from the sport's most prestigious event.
Filly Power
Despite the dominance of male horses in the Kentucky Derby, female horses known as fillies have made their mark. Only three fillies have won the race: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980), and Winning Colors (1988). Notably, Regret's victory came during a time when women were not allowed to vote in the United States.
Women in the Saddle
In 1969, Diane Crump became the first woman to ride a horse in the Kentucky Derby. However, it took several decades for other women to follow in her footsteps. Since then, only five other women have ridden in the Derby: Rosie Napravnik (2013), Chantal Sutherland (2009, 2013), Emma-Jay Wilson (2013), Jacqueline Davis (2020), and Rachel Alexandra (2021).
Filly Horses in the Kentucky Derby
Filly horses are eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby, provided they meet the age and performance criteria. A horse must be three years old to race in the Derby, and fillies must have demonstrated their competitiveness in previous races.
Terminology
There are two distinct terms used to refer to female horses based on their age: - Filly: A female horse under the age of four - Mare: A female horse aged four or older
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