Hooves Through History
Fancy Hats & Fashion
Horse Talk
Kentucky Facts
Derby Traditions
100
Which ancient civilization is famous for some of the earliest horse races?
- Ancient Greece
- Ancient Rome
- Ancient Egypt
- Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is famous for holding some of the earliest organized horse races, establishing them as a key event in the Olympic Games as early as 648 BCE. Both chariot and mounted bareback races were major spectacles at the Games, showcasing equestrian skill.
100
What flower is often seen on Derby hats and outfits?
- Rose
- Tulip
- Daffodil
- Rose
100
The word "jockey" means a person who does what?
- builds racetracks
- rides horses in races
- bathes horses
- rides horses in races
100
What meat is often used in a Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich?
- Roast Beef
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Turkey
A Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich from Louisville, Kentucky, created at the Brown Hotel, featuring thick toast, roasted turkey, and bacon, smothered in a creamy Mornay (cheese) sauce, and then broiled until bubbly and golden brown, often garnished with tomatoes, paprika, and parsley.
100
What distance is the Kentucky Derby Race?
- 1 mile
- 1 1/4 mile
- 3 miles
- 1 1/4 mile
200
During ancient chariot races, how many horses often pulled one chariot?
- 2
- 4
- 5
- 4
200
A popular pattern often worn at the Derby is:
- polka dots
- floral print
- plaid
- floral print
200
Which famous racehorse has the nickname "Big Red"?
- American Pharoah
- Secretariat
- Citation
- Secretariat
A massive, powerful chestnut colt, he earned the nickname due to his color and dominating size.
200
What famous cave can you visit in Kentucky?
- Crystal Cave
- Echo Cave
- Mammoth Cave
- Mammoth Cave
200
What age are horses that race in the Kentucky Derby?
- 1 years old
- 5 years old
- 3 years old
- 3 years old
Horses that race in the Kentucky Derby are exclusively 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. The race is restricted to this age group, meaning a horse only has one opportunity to compete in the "Run for the Roses" in their lifetime.
300
Which country is often called the "home of modern horse racing"?
- Mexico
- England
- Spain
- England
England is often called the "home of modern horse racing," with Newmarket frequently cited as the town where the sport was formalized. The development of the modern Thoroughbred breed, which began in the 17th and 18th centuries by crossing native mares with imported Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman stallions, took place in England.
300
True or False
Some Kentucky Derby hats are bigger than the person's head.
True!
300
Which horse became famous during the Great Depression?
- Citation
- Seabiscuit
- Justify
- Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit became the most famous horse in America during the Great Depression. A small, underdog Thoroughbred, he defied his early reputation as lazy and unpromising to become a symbol of hope and resilience for struggling citizens, famously winning the "Match of the Century" in 1938.
300
What shape is Kentucky often said to look like?
- a boot
- a frying pan
- a chicken drumstick
- a chicken drumstick
300
What famous song is traditionally sung before the Kentucky Derby?
- Old Derby Days
- My Old Kentucky Home
- Sweet Home Kentucky
- My Old Kentucky Home
400
What was the name of the famous Roman arena where horse and chariot races were held?
- Colosseum
- Circus Maximus
- Roman Hall
- Circus Maximus
Located in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills in Rome, Italy, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome, with a capacity to hold over 150,000 spectators.
400
What might a man wear on his head to the Derby?
- baseball cap
- fedora
- beanie
- fedora
400
Which Triple Crown winner came before Secretariat?
- Justify
- Citation
- Seattle Slew
- Citation
Citation was the Triple Crown winner immediately preceding Secretariat. Citation won the Triple Crown in 1948, 25 years before Secretariat's historic 1973 victory.
400
What famous Kentucky waterfall is sometimes called the "Niagara of the South"?
- Derby Falls
- Cumberland Falls
- Mystic Falls
- Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls, located at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin, Kentucky, is famously known as the "Niagara of the South". It is 125 feet wide and 68 feet tall, creating a massive curtain of water that is one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern United States.
400
About how many roses are usually used in the Garland of Roses?
- over 400
- over 1,000
- over 100
- over 400
Garland of Roses typically features over 400 hand-sewn red roses, commonly cited as exactly 465 roses. This iconic, 40-pound garland is crafted from "Freedom" roses and includes a "crown" of roses symbolizing each horse in the race.
500
Some of the first horse races in America took place in what states?
- Alaska and Florida
- Virginia and New York
- North Carolina and Georgia
- Virginia and New York
Some of the first organized horse races in America took place in Long Island, New York, specifically on the Hempstead Plains, where the first racetrack was established in 1665 by Governor Richard Nicholls. Informal, early American horse racing also began in Virginia, with recorded, short-distance, quarter-mile races in Henrico County by 1674.
500
What is another name for a fancy woman's Derby hat decoration?
- Fascinator
- Button cap
- Bonnet
- Fascinator
500
Which horse became one of the few female horses to win the Kentucky Derby?
- Eight Belles
- Genuine Risk
- Silver Spoon
- Genuine Risk
500
What Kentucky city is famous for horse farms?
- Lexington
- Elizabethtown
- Somerset
- Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky, is widely recognized as the "Horse Capital of the World" and is the city most famous for its extensive concentration of horse farms. Located in the heart of the Bluegrass region, it boasts over 400 horse farms and is renowned for breeding top Thoroughbreds and hosting major industry sales at Keeneland. :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lexington-kentucky_DESTWED0223-a76a2faf626d4b709cecc15417229b19.jpg)
500
What are jockey uniforms typically called?
- Jackets
- Silks
- Two Pieces
- Silks
