The Kentucky Derby, established in 1875, adopted the 'Run for the Roses' tradition in 1884 after socialite Evander Berry Wall gifted roses at a post-Derby party. The first winner to receive a rose collar was Ben Brush in 1896.
Key points
The Kentucky Derby started in 1875.
The 'Run for the Roses' tradition began in 1884.
Evander Berry Wall gifted roses at a Derby party.
The first winner to receive roses was Ben Brush in 1896.
Roses were declared the official flower of the Kentucky Derby by Col. Clark.
Mentioned in this story
Evander Berry WallCol. Meriwether Lewis Clark
Kentucky DerbyBen Brush
The Kentucky Derby has been run since 1875, but the “Run for the Roses” part? That didn’t start until a few years later and in true Derby fashion; it began with a party when a New York City socialite decided the party needed some flowers for the ladies.
In 1883, Evander Berry Wall showed up to a post-Derby gathering and handed red roses to all the ladies present.
Wall was a well-known New York socialite, who would show up everywhere, and everyone knew him, and he knew everyone. He probably wasn’t thinking about the actual race, but his gesture of giving a red rose to every woman at the party caught the eye of Churchill Downs founder Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark.
By 1884, Clark had declared the rose the official flower of the Kentucky Derby, according to Churchill Downs’ official history. But it still took a few years before that was officially reflected in the Winner’s Circle.
The first recorded account of a Derby winner receiving the collar of roses was in 1896. Ben Brush was awarded a collar of pink and white roses that year, according to the Kentucky Derby media guide.
Then a sportswriter got involved and it became history.
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities celebrates as they cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Bed Races held at Broadbent Arena Monday evening, April 27, 2026.
Q&A
What year did the Kentucky Derby start using the 'Run for the Roses' phrase?
The 'Run for the Roses' phrase was officially adopted in 1884.
Who was Evander Berry Wall and what was his role in the Kentucky Derby's history?
Evander Berry Wall was a New York socialite who gifted roses to women at a Derby party, inspiring the Kentucky Derby to adopt roses as its official flower.
When did the first Kentucky Derby winner receive a collar of roses?
The first recorded winner to receive a collar of roses was Ben Brush in 1896.
How did the tradition of roses become associated with the Kentucky Derby?
The tradition began when Evander Berry Wall's gesture of giving roses at a Derby party caught the attention of Churchill Downs founder Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark.
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Flowers in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a week before the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on April 24, 2026.
John King and his daughter, Ghauni, 4, watch as the first hot air balloons lift at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Glow Thursday night at Waterfront Park on April 23, 2026.
Levi Shank, left, and Amanda Regier run in costume following the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Louisville Kentucky.
The Japanese team of Wonder Dean celebrated their horse's No. 10 post position after the 2026 Kentucky Derby Draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25, 2026.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Fulleffort, trained by Brad Cox, was ridden by Edvin Vargas during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fulleffort has seven career races with three wins, two second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
The Shady Rays balloon lifts off as hot air balloons take flight at Bowman Field for the KDF Great BalloonFest Rush Hour Race in Louisville on April 24, 2026.
People gathered around to see the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses arrive at the main gap during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2026.
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Spectators line East Broadway to catch a glimpse of the floats during the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The trophy given to the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25.
2026 Kentucky Derby trainer Todd Pletcher on the backside watching his horses work out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2028. Pletcher has 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Renegade.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and favorite Renegade getting bathed after working at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher.
A crowd gathers on the backside at sunrise during Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, who will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy, on April 24, 2026.
A unicylcist waves to the crowd during the 2026 Pegasus Parade on Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 24, 2026. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer.
1 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
1 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
2 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities celebrates as they cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Bed Races held at Broadbent Arena Monday evening, April 27, 2026.
3 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Flowers in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a week before the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on April 24, 2026.
4 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
John King and his daughter, Ghauni, 4, watch as the first hot air balloons lift at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Glow Thursday night at Waterfront Park on April 23, 2026.
5 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Levi Shank, left, and Amanda Regier run in costume following the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Louisville Kentucky.
6 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The Japanese team of Wonder Dean celebrated their horse's No. 10 post position after the 2026 Kentucky Derby Draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25, 2026.
7 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Fulleffort, trained by Brad Cox, was ridden by Edvin Vargas during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fulleffort has seven career races with three wins, two second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
8 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
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Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The Shady Rays balloon lifts off as hot air balloons take flight at Bowman Field for the KDF Great BalloonFest Rush Hour Race in Louisville on April 24, 2026.
10 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
People gathered around to see the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses arrive at the main gap during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2026.
11 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
12 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Spectators line East Broadway to catch a glimpse of the floats during the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
13 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The trophy given to the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25.
14 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby trainer Todd Pletcher on the backside watching his horses work out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2028. Pletcher has 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Renegade.
15 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and favorite Renegade getting bathed after working at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher.
16 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A crowd gathers on the backside at sunrise during Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
17 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, who will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy, on April 24, 2026.
18 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A unicylcist waves to the crowd during the 2026 Pegasus Parade on Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
19 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 24, 2026. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer.
Bill Corum, a World War I veteran and Purple Heart honoree, was covering the Derby for a New York newspaper by the mid-1920s, picked up on the rose theme. In May 1925, he watched the roses fill the Churchill Downs winner’s circle and wrote what became one of the most durable phrases in American sports: “Run for the Roses.”
It stuck. And so did Corum.
He kept calling it the Run for the Roses in his columns and when calling the Derby on the radio. In 1950, he actually became the president of Churchill Downs, succeeding his friend Col. Matt Winn.
Remarkably, Corum never mentioned the phrase in his autobiography.
The garland that is now draped over the winner, didn't take its modern form until 1932, according to Churchill Downs. A Louisville florist named Grace Walker was commissioned to create something permanent for the 1932 race. She stitched more than 500 dark red roses onto a green satin cloth-backed blanket and draped all 40 pounds of it over that year’s winner, Burgoo King.
Walker’s shop, Kingsley Walker Florist, became the keepers of the garland for more than 50 years. She took care to measure horses so that no thorn, stem or wire frame would poke a horse during the celebration. The most she charged Churchill Downs for her creations was for $3,600 for flowers, labor, delivery and vases for the winner’s circle.
Roses on display during the morning training for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Roses on display during the morning training for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
And then Kroger picked up the tradition in 1987.
Today, those roses are still hand stitched onto a green satin backing. It now bears the seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky on one end, and the famous Twin Spires of Churchill Downs on the other. Each stem has a hidden water vial to keep the roses fresh.
Now, it’s part of the ceremony.
Every first Saturday in May, the garland travels to Churchill Downs via police escort. It arrives at 10 a.m. local time and sits on public display before post time and is then draped over the winner in a tradition that has become synonymous with the Kentucky Derby.
