Many famous stories surround the Kentucky Derby’s 150-year history.

Fisher and Meade

Back in 1933, two young and vibrant horse jockeys, Herb Fisher (with thoroughbred Head Play) and Don Meade (with thoroughbred Broker’s Tip) went neck-on-neck, and even exchange punches, in a bid to get to the finish line. The prior pushed Head Play to bump into Broker’s Tip to throw the other contender off. Angered by this show of unsportsmanlike conduct, Meade grabbed Fisher in an attempt to throw the latter off Head Play. Unable to shake him off, Fisher whipped Meade squarely on the head. Regardless of Fisher’s attempts to throw him off track, Meade managed to win the race, riding Broker’s Tip to victory. Fisher, unhappy with the way things turned out, went after Meade at the jockey’s quarters to engage the latter in a full-on brawl. Fisher didn’t win the fight there either. Both Meade and Fisher were sanctioned with a 30-day suspension.

Seabiscuit

Everybody has either read about or watched the movie featuring Seabuiscuit, a knobby-kneed thoroughbred who had a shaky start, and was abandoned by his then trainer, James Fitzsimmons for Johnstown in 1939 to win the Kentucky Derby. Of course, eventually, good old Seabiscuit became a Triple Crown winner, but not before being the target of stable jokes because of his seemingly lethargic manner.

Omaha and Gallant Fox

Omaha, offspring of Gallant Fox (the 1930 Triple Crown Champion), was the belligerent type so he was mostly kept away from his other opponents. Both Omaha and Gallant Fox are the only father and son who became Triple Crown Champions.

Dancer’s Image

Dancer’s Image is a colt with a graceful built, and bad ankles. However, Dancer’s Image has always been a favorite among the wives. Peter Fuller, for instance, would have never bought Dancer’s Image in an auction, twice (once to acquire, and the next time to reacquire) if it weren’t for his wife, Joan, who was smitten by the colt. Fuller was coaxed into going to the 1968 Kentucky Derby with the Dancer’s Image.

Eventually, Dancer’s Image had passed hands when Koichiro Hayata, under the influence of his wife Yukiko, was bought at an auction and taken to a farm in Japan, where the colt was once again cherished and loved.

Plain Ben

Ben A. Jones is widely known as one of the best trainers in the Kentucky Derby. He had a keen eye for horses, and was able to ascertain more about a thoroughbred in a couple of minutes than most trainers could in a substantially longer period of time. For instance, he could tell by the sound that a horse is walking lame in front. During the span of his career, he was able to train 6 Kentucky Derby winners and condition 9 champions, which is why it wasn’t surprising that in 1958, Plain Ben made it to the Hall of Fame. Never letting success get to his head, Jones was beloved by all, by jockeys and colleagues alike.