Longshot Rich Strike delivered one of the biggest upsets in the Kentucky Derby's 148th-year history to take a final furlong win in the historic race.
The horse had taken part in just seven races before Saturday's event, winning one of them. He had only been added to the field on Friday after another contender pulled out, with trainer Eric Reed winning his first-ever Kentucky Derby.
Summer Is Tomorrow had taken an early lead, with Messier and Crown Pride also leading the field at different points. Heading into the final furlong, favourite Eppicenter appeared to be romping home, before Rich Strike flew up the inside to claim a dramatic win, having been a 80/1 longshot.
More than 150,000 spectators at Churchill Downs in Louisville watched the drama unfold in the 148th running of the famous old race with millions more watching on television around the world.
The race has a total prize purse of $3million with the winner of the 1m 2f contest, first run in 1875, receiving a first prize purse of a cool $1.8million.
Second place received $600,000, the third $300,000, fourth $150,000 and fifth $90,000.
He followed in the footsteps of some absolute legends of the game by winning the race which is dubbed the Run For The Roses, due to the garland of roses draped over the victor.
The winner is now likely to try and emulate 13 horses who have gone on to complete the American Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown comprises the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Among the famous 13 to achieve the feat are Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharaoh (2015) and Justify (2018).
Last year’s race was marred by the subsequent disqualification of first past the post Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert.
The horse tested positive for the steroid betamethasone. Baffert, who denies any wrongdoing, is banned from having runners until June.
The spectators downed more than 140,000 hot dogs, 18,000 barbecue sandwiches, 13,800 pounds of beef, 32,400 jumbo shrimp, 9,000 scallops and 30,000 cookies.
More than 120,000 traditional Derby drinks, the mint julep, were also consumed.
