Horse Illustrated Magazine

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will be rescheduled from May 2, 2020 to September 5, 2020 and the 146th Longines Kentucky Oaks will be rescheduled from May 1, 2020 to September 4, 2020. These dates are contingent upon final approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which Churchill Downs expects to receive on Thursday, March 19.

“Throughout the rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic, our first priority has been how to best protect the safety and health of our guests, team members and community,” stated Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen. “As the situation evolved, we steadily made all necessary operational adjustments to provide the safest experience and environment. The most recent developments have led us to make some very difficult, but we believe, necessary decisions and our hearts are with those who have been or continue to be affected by this pandemic.

“Our team is united in our commitment to holding the very best Kentucky Derby ever and certainly the most unique in any of our lifetimes,” he continued. “While we are always respectful of the time-honored traditions of the Kentucky Derby, our company’s true legacy is one of resilience, the embracing of change and unshakeable resolve.”

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Ticket/ Refund Policy Due to COVID-19

Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby tickets purchased for the originally scheduled dates are automatically valid for the new race dates. Ticket holders may arrive on the new dates in September with their printed ticket or mobile ticket to be scanned for entry at the gates. Information on a new ticket shipment date will be sent directly to ticket purchasers.

For those who purchased a ticket for the Kentucky Derby or the Kentucky Oaks and are not able to attend the newly scheduled race dates, information regarding refund requests will be available at www.KentuckyDerby.com/updates by the end of this week. If your ticket was purchased from a vendor or secondary market website other than Churchill Downs, such as Ticketmaster.com or Derby Experiences, please contact that site directly. Churchill Downs is unable to process refunds for those tickets.

Derby Week Information

The remainder of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Week races have not been decided at this time. Please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com/updates for the latest information regarding Opening Night, Champions Day, and other events that may be affected related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read more about the impact on the horse industry and catch a list of impacted events and statements from organizations about COVID-19 at www.horseillustrated.com/coronavirus-impact-horse-industry. For all of our coverage, visit www.horseillustrated.com/tag/coronavirus.