- The 152nd Kentucky Derby starts on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs Racetrack.
- The first-place winner receives $3.1 million and the coveted Kentucky Derby trophy.
- Here are some of the billionaire owners who could cash in.
Horseracing is an expensive sport.
So it's no surprise that among the crowd cheering on 20 thoroughbred horses during the Kentucky Derby's main race at Churchill Downs Racetrack on Saturday are at least eight billionaires.
The annual event has once again descended upon Louisville, bringing with it a blur of pastel outfits, flamboyant hats, and mint juleps. The annual event, entering its 152nd year, is the pinnacle of American horse racing and draws competitors from around the world.
Horse racing often involves spending millions of dollars at horse auctions, as well as money for training fees, transportation costs, veterinary care, jockey payments, and other expenses. Plus, entering the Kentucky Derby alone can cost about $50,000.
That's why the sport tends to attract the billionaire class.
Here are the eight billionaire owners who have their eyes set on the $3.1 million top prize, the gold trophy, and — of course — bragging rights at this year's race.
Robert and Lawana L. Low
Robert and Lawana L. Low will compete with their horse, Renegade, at this year's Kentucky Derby. The horse, also owned by billionaire Mike Repole, has a 4-1 odds of winning the race.
Robert Low amassed an estimated $5 billion in net worth through his freight transport and trucking company, New Prime Inc, according to Forbes.
Mike Repole
Mike Repole of Repole Stables will compete with Renegade alongside the Low family on Saturday.
Repole, who Forbes estimates has a net worth of $2.5 billion, made his fortune in the sports and energy drink businesses. Coca-Cola acquired a minority stake in BodyArmor — a drink Repole cofounded — in 2018 before purchasing the remaining stakes for $5.6 billion three years later.
Repole also cofounded Glaceau, which makes Vitaminwater and Smartwater.
Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar
Qatar's Emir Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani entered the Kentucky Derby with his horse, Commandment, and has a 6-1 chance of taking the gold on Saturday. His horse racing group, Wathnan Racing, launched in 2024.
While the royal's exact net worth is unclear, his family's net worth was about $172.9 billion in 2024, according to Bloomberg.
Brad Kelley
Brad Kelley, representing Calumet Farms, has a 50-1 chance of winning the Kentucky Derby with his horse, Robusta.
Kelley is the founder of Commonwealth Brands, which made USA Gold and Sonoma cigarettes. He later became a major private landowner in the US, ranking number 15 on The Land Report's 2026 largest landowner survey.
He has a net worth of $1.4 billion, according to Forbes.
Seth Klarman
Seth Klarman, an investor and CEO of The Baupost Group, is competing through Klaravich Stables, Inc. His horse, Emerging Markets, has 15-1 odds of winning.
Klaman cofounded The Baupost Group, a hedge fund, in 1982. Forbes reports that he has a net worth of $1.5 billion.
Vincent Viola
Vincent Viola, who founded trading company Virtu Financial in 2008, is also competing in the Kentucky Derby this weekend. Virtual Financial went public in 2015 and, at the time, Reuters reported the firm's valuation hit about $2.60 billion.
In 2013, Viola purchased the NHL's Florida Panthers for $250 million. The team won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in 2024 and 2025.
Viola, representing St. Elias Stable, is competing with Golden Tempo and has 30-1 odds of victory. Phipps Stable, led by Daisy Phipps Pulito, also owns the horse.
Barbara Banke
Several owners are hoping Litmus Test will win the Kentucky Derby, including Jackson Family Wines Chairman Barbara Banke.
Banke and her late husband cofounded Jackson Family Wines in 1982. The company started with a winery in California, and it has since expanded its reach with properties across the globe. Forbes reported that Banke and her family have a net worth of $2.5 billion.
Her horse has 50-1 odds of winning Saturday's race.
Masahiro Noda
Japanese billionaire Masahiro Noda is also taking part in the Kentucky-based festivities. Noda is the CEO and chairman of Obic, a company focused on system integration, system support, automation, and packaged software services. He has a net worth of $3.3 billion, according to Forbes.
Noda entered the race under Danox Co. Ltd., and his horse —
Danon Bourbon — has 20-1 odds of winning.
