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Coldest Kentucky Derbys in history: Where 2026 race ranks among chilliest events at Churchill Downs
TL;DR
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is expected to be one of the coldest in history at Churchill Downs. Typically held in May, the race may face unseasonably chilly weather.
Key points
- 2026 Kentucky Derby expected to be one of the coldest
- Typically held on the first weekend in May
- Chilly weather may follow April rain in Louisville
Coldest Kentucky Derbys in history: Where 2026 race ranks among chilliest events at Churchill Downs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Considering it's annually held on the first weekend in May, the weather at the Kentucky Derby is typically favorable.
Most years, the sun is shining with warm weather in Louisville, Kentucky, as some of the best three-year-old thoroughbred horses compete in "The Run for the Roses." But sometimes, the event coming just after the April rain means it's chillier than expected at the Kentucky Derby.
That's expected to be the case in 2026, with cooler temperatures likely on the way at Churchill Downs.
Here's a look at where the 2026 Kentucky Derby could rank among the coldest races at Churchill Downs.
MORE: 2026 Kentucky Derby post positions, horses, odds, more
What is the coldest Kentucky Derby in history?
The coldest Kentucky Derby in history, according to the National Weather Service, had a low temperature of 36 degrees. That happened in both 1940 and 1957.
The coldest-ever high temperature at Churchill Downs for Derby day was 47 degrees, which came in 1935 and 1957.
For the 2026 Kentucky Derby, temperatures aren't expected to approach any of those historic levels. The NWS’ seven-day forecast for Louisville calls for partly-sunny conditions on Saturday with a high temperature of 60 degrees. Still, 60 degrees is a bit low for the area in early May; typically, temperatures will be in the mid-70s for the Kentucky Derby.
The last time a Kentucky Derby didn't have a high temperature at 60 degrees or higher was 1989, when the high was just 51 degrees in Louisville, per the NWS.
MORE:All-time Kentucky Derby records
Coldest Kentucky Derbys in history
Here's a look at the coldest high temperatures ever in Louisville on the day of Kentucky Derby, per the NWS.
| Year | High Temperature | Race Winner |
| 1935 | 47 degrees | Omaha |
| 1957 | 47 degrees | Iron Liege |
| 1989 | 51 degrees | Sunday Silence |
| 1944 | 51 degrees | Pensive |
| 1892 | 55 degrees | Azra |
| 1888 | 56 degrees | Macbeth II |
| 1947 | 57 degrees | Jet Pilot |
| 1919 | 57 degrees | Sir Barton |
| 1909 | 57 degrees | Wintergreen |
| 1943 | 58 degrees | Count Fleet |
MORE KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS:
Q&A
What are the coldest Kentucky Derbys in history?
The coldest Kentucky Derbys have been recorded with temperatures significantly below average, with the 2026 race expected to rank among them.
When is the Kentucky Derby held each year?
The Kentucky Derby is held annually on the first weekend in May.
What weather conditions are expected for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is anticipated to have cooler temperatures than usual, making it one of the chilliest events at Churchill Downs.