U.S. Presidents and the Kentucky Derby

Name: 2022 Kentucky Derby
Start: 2022-05-07T11:00-04:00
End: 2022-05-07T20:00-04:00
Location: Churchill Downs

Thu, February 16 2017

Donald Trump and Melania in 1999.

George W. Bush being interviewed by ESPN at the 2000 Derby.

George H. W. Bush attended Derby three times: in 1993, 1995 and 2000.

Nixon and Ronald Reagan clearly having a great time in 1969.

Jimmy Carter attended the Derby in 1983.

Gerald Ford loved the Kentucky Derby. He attended 13 times and witnessed two Triple Crown winners win the Derby; Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978. Ford also attended the Derby in 1969, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988.

Nixon in 1969.

Lyndon B. Johnson attended the Derby in 1952.

We know that Truman attended the Kentucky Derby before he became president in 1945, but we're not sure of the year.

Monday is President's Day, so what better time to look back at the U.S. President's who have attended the Kentucky Derby. Nixon, who attended in 1969, is the only president to have enjoyed coming to the Derby while he was holding the office. Nine other U.S. Presidents have attended, but not while serving as President. Scroll through the slideshow to see the other Commanders in Chief to have walked the hallowed ground of Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

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