The Hollywood Derby Grade 1 Stakes Race

The Hollywood Derby (G1) stands as one of the most esteemed events in the American thoroughbred racing calendar. Conducted annually at the iconic Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California, this Grade 1 stakes race has become synonymous with excellence, attracting top three-year-old turf horses from across the nation and beyond. With a storied history, notable winners, and impressive records, the Hollywood Derby continues to be a highlight for owners, trainers, and fans alike.

History of the Hollywood Derby

Inception and Early Years (1938–1950s)

Founding and Original Format: The Hollywood Derby debuted on December 17, 1938, at the newly opened Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California—a glamorous venue backed by Hollywood studio moguls like Jack Warner and Louis B. Mayer, who were also prominent horse owners and breeders. The inaugural edition was run at 1¼ miles on dirt, drawing a field of top three-year-olds and establishing itself as a major West Coast stakes race for sophomores. The first winner was Specify, ridden by John Adams and trained by Albert A. Baroni.
World War II Interruption: Like many U.S. races, the Derby was suspended from 1942 to 1944 due to wartime restrictions on fuel and resources, which limited travel and operations at racetracks.
Post-War Changes and a Temporary Relocation: It resumed in 1945, with Busher (the first filly winner) taking the prize under jockey Johnny Longden. In 1949, a devastating fire destroyed Hollywood Park’s grandstand and clubhouse, forcing the race to shift temporarily to Santa Anita Park. The track also experimented with distances: 1⅛ miles on dirt in 1945 and 1950.
Renaming and Turf Transition: From 1948 to 1958, the race was temporarily renamed the Westerner Stakes, possibly to honor a notable horse or align with regional themes. It remained on dirt until 1973, showcasing legends like Swaps (1955, jockey Bill Shoemaker) and Round Table (1957, also Shoemaker)—both Hall of Famers.

Expansion and Grade I Elevation (1960s–1990s)

Shift to Turf and Distance Adjustments: In 1973, coinciding with the introduction of official graded stakes in the U.S., the Derby was upgraded to Grade I status and moved to the turf at 1½ miles. This marked a pivotal evolution, emphasizing stamina and European-style racing influences. By 1981, it was shortened to 1⅛ miles on turf, a distance it largely retained thereafter (with a brief extension to 1¼ miles from 2003–2013).
Divisions and Growing Prestige: Large fields led to split divisions from 1981 to 1987, allowing more horses to compete while maintaining the race’s competitiveness. Fillies made rare but memorable impacts during this era, with De La Rose (1981 Division 1) and Royal Heroine (1983 Division 1) joining the winners’ circle—bringing the total filly victors to just five in race history.
Hollywood Park’s Golden Era: Hosted annually at Hollywood Park, the Derby became a staple of the track’s winter-spring and autumn meets. It attracted East Coast invaders like Riva Ridge (1972, jockey Ron Turcotte, trainer Lucien Laurin) and Affirmed (1978, Steve Cauthen, Laz Barrera), the latter a Triple Crown winner. The race’s purse grew steadily, reflecting its status as a “win-and-you’re-made” event for breeders and owners.

Modern Era and Relocation (2000s–Present)

2005 Hiatus:** The race was not held in 2005 due to safety improvements on Hollywood Park’s turf course, resulting in a one-year pause as part of broader track maintenance efforts.
Hollywood Park Closure and Move to Del Mar:** In 2013, Hollywood Park—once known as the “Track of the Lakers and Legends” for its celebrity allure and for hosting the first Breeders’ Cup in 1984—closed after 75 years of operation. The site was redeveloped into housing and commercial space. The Derby was successfully transferred to the Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego for its 2014 edition, slightly shortened to 1⅛ miles to fit Del Mar’s turf configuration. This move preserved its timing during the Thanksgiving weekend, aligning with Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season, which runs from late October to early December.
Recent Highlights and Records:
- 2014 Milestone: California Chrome, following victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby (all on dirt), surprised observers by winning in his turf debut under rider Victor Espinoza and trainer Art Sherman. This remains one of the race’s most remarkable achievements.
- Purse Fluctuations: The purse peaked at $400,000 in 2021 but settled at $300,000 by 2024.
- Recent Winners: The 2023 edition was won by Program Trading (ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Chad C. Brown), who edged out rival Webslinger in a thrilling finish. In 2024, Formidable Man (ridden by Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael W. McCarthy) defended his form at Del Mar, winning by one length and becoming the first horse since 1991 to sweep the Hollywood and Del Mar Derbies in the same year.
- Trainer Dominance: Chad Brown has emerged as a dominant force in recent years, training winners such as Annals of Time (2016), Raging Bull (2018), Domestic Spending (2020), Program Trading (2023), and Salamis (2025).

Key Statistics and Legacy

Surfaces and Distances: Primarily turf since 1973 (after dirt from 1938–1972), with six total distances used historically.
Fillies’ Rarity: Only five have won, underscoring the race’s male-dominated history.
Busher (1945)
Honeymoon (1946)
A Gleam (1952)
De La Rose (1981)
Royal Heroine (1983)
Cultural Impact: Tied to Hollywood’s golden age, the Derby symbolized glamour in racing. Its relocation to Del Mar has sustained its relevance, often closing the track’s fall meet with high-stakes action alongside races like the Matriarch Stakes (G1).
Eligibility and Conditions: Open to three-year-olds (colts/geldings preferred, but fillies eligible), with no sex restrictions. It’s a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for some international series, boosting its global draw.

The Hollywood Derby has also seen trainers and jockeys achieve notable milestones. Legendary trainers such as Charlie Whittingham, who won it 4 times (1967, 1969, 1986, 1989), and Chad C. Brown, who won it 5 times (2016, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2025). Jockeys, Bill Shoemaker, who won it 8 times (1951, 1955, 1957, 1958 as the Westerner Stakes, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1986), and Corey Nakatani, who won it 5 times (1990, 1993, 1996, 2013, 2015). Julie Krone in 2003, and is the only female jockey to date to have won this race.

Hollywood Derby Winners (Fillies)

1938: Horse – Specify, Jockey – John Adams, Trainer – Albert A. Baroni
1939: Horse – Shining One, Jockey – Jack Westrope, Trainer – William B. Finnegan
1940: Horse – Big Flash, Jockey – Eugene Rodriguez, Trainer – Clyde Phillips
1941: Horse – Staretor, Jockey – George Woolf, Trainer – George H. Strate
1942–1944: Race not held WWII
1945: Horse – Busher, Jockey – Johnny Longden, Trainer – George M. Odom
1946: Horse – Honeymoon, Jockey – Jack Westrope, Trainer – Graceton W. Philpot
1947: Horse – Yankee Valor, Jockey – Noel Richardson, Trainer – Paul L. Lycan
1948: Horse – Solidarity, Jockey – Johnny Longden, Trainer – William Molter (Westerner Stakes)
1949: Horse – Pedigree, Jockey – Johnny Longden, Trainer – William Molter (Westerner Stakes)
1950: Horse – Valquest, Jockey – Jack Westrope, Trainer – George E. Mayberry (Westerner Stakes)
1951: Horse – Grantor, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – Harry L. Daniels (Westerner Stakes)
1952: Horse – A Gleam, Jockey – Henry E. Moreno, Trainer – Horace A. Jones (Westerner Stakes)
1953: Horse – Rejected, Jockey – Ralph Neves, Trainer – William J. Hirsch (Westerner Stakes)
1954: Horse – Fault Free, Jockey – Ralph Neves, Trainer – Ronald H. McClellan (Westerner Stakes)
1955: Horse – Swaps, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – Mesh Tenney (Westerner Stakes)
1956: Horse – Count of Honor, Jockey – Eddie Arcaro, Trainer – Buster Millerick (Westerner Stakes)
1957: Horse – Round Table, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – William Molter (Westerner Stakes)
1958: Horse – Strong Bay, Jockey – Manuel Ycaza, Trainer – Jack Williams (Westerner Stakes)
1959: Horse – Bagdad, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – Joseph S. Dunn
1960: Horse – Tempestuous, Jockey – Peter Moreno, Trainer – Matthew J. Dragna
1961: Horse – Four-and-Twenty, Jockey – Johnny Longden, Trainer – Vance Longden
1962: Horse – Drill Site, Jockey – Ralph Neves, Trainer – John Adams
1963: Horse – Y Flash, Jockey – Eddie Burns, Trainer – Jess Byrd
1964: Horse – Real Good Deal, Jockey – Johnny Longden, Trainer – T. R. Scott
1965: Horse – Terry’s Secret, Jockey – Alex Maese, Trainer – Carl A. Roles
1966: Horse – Fleet Host, Jockey – Jerry Lambert, Trainer – Raymond Priddy
1967: Horse – Tumble Wind, Jockey – Johnny Sellers, Trainer – Charles E. Whittingham
1968: Horse – Poleax, Jockey – Bill Hartack, Trainer – Joseph S. Dunn
1969: Horse – Tell, Jockey – Donald Pierce, Trainer – Charles E. Whittingham
1970: Horse – Hanalei Bay, Jockey – Merlin Volzke, Trainer – Robert K. Miller
1971: Horse – Bold Reason, Jockey – Laffit Pincay Jr., Trainer – Angel Penna Sr.
1972: Horse – Riva Ridge, Jockey – Ron Turcotte, Trainer – Lucien Laurin
1973: Horse – Amen II, Jockey – Eddie Belmonte, Trainer – Philip G. Johnson
1974: Horse – Agitate, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – James Jimenez
1975: Horse – Intrepid Hero, Jockey – Donald Pierce, Trainer – John W. Russell
1976: Horse – Crystal Water, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – Roger E. Clapp
1977: Horse – Steve’s Friend, Jockey – Ruben Hernandez, Trainer – John W. Fulton
1978: Horse – Affirmed, Jockey – Steve Cauthen, Trainer – Laz Barrera
1979: Horse – Flying Paster, Jockey – Donald Pierce, Trainer – Gordon C. Campbell
1980: Horse – Codex, Jockey – Eddie Delahoussaye, Trainer – D. Wayne Lukas
1981 (Division 1): Horse – De La Rose, Jockey – Eddie Maple, Trainer – Woody Stephens
1981 (Division 2): Horse – Silveyville, Jockey – Danny Winick, Trainer – Emmett L. Campbell
1982 (Division 1): Horse – Racing Is Fun, Jockey – Bill Shoemaker, Trainer – Roger E. Clapp
1982 (Division 2): Horse – Victory Zone, Jockey – Eddie Delahoussaye, Trainer – Robert J. Frankel
1983 (Division 1): Horse – Royal Heroine, Jockey – Fernando Toro, Trainer – John Gosden
1983 (Division 2): Horse – Ginger Brink, Jockey – Fernando Toro, Trainer – Ted West Sr.
1984 (Division 1): Horse – Procida, Jockey – Cash Asmussen, Trainer – François Boutin
1984 (Division 2): Horse – Foscarini, Jockey – Darrel McHargue, Trainer – Laurie N. Anderson
1985: Horse – Slew the Dragon, Jockey – Jorge Velasquez, Trainer – John O. Hertler
1986 (Division 1): Horse – Spellbound, Jockey – Ray Sibille, Trainer – Paul H. Murphy
1986 (Division 2): Horse – Thrill Show, Jockey – William Shoemaker, Trainer – Charles E. Whittingham
1987 (Division 1): Horse – Stately Don, Jockey – Jacinto Vasquez, Trainer – LeRoy S. Jolley
1987 (Division 2): Horse – Political Ambition, Jockey – Eddie J. Delahoussaye, Trainer – Neil D. Drysdale
1988: Horse – Silver Circus, Jockey – Gary L. Stevens, Trainer – Julio C. Canani
1989: Horse – Live the Dream, Jockey – Alex O. Solis, Trainer – Charles E. Whittingham
1990: Horse – Itsallgreektome, Jockey – Corey S. Nakatani, Trainer – Wallace A. Dollase
1991 (Division 1): Horse – Olympio, Jockey – Eddie J. Delahoussaye, Trainer – Ronald L. McAnally
1991 (Division 2): Horse – Eternity Star, Jockey – Eddie J. Delahoussaye, Trainer – Robert J. Frankel
1992: Horse – Paradise Creek, Jockey – Pat Day, Trainer – William I. Mott
1993: Horse – Explosive Red, Jockey – Corey S. Nakatani, Trainer – Daniel J. Vella
1994: Horse – River Flyer, Jockey – Chris W. Antley, Trainer – David E. Hofmans
1995: Horse – Labeeb (GB), Jockey – Eddie J. Delahoussaye, Trainer – Neil D. Drysdale
1996: Horse – Marlin, Jockey – John R. Velazquez, Trainer – D. Wayne Lukas
1997: Horse – Subordination, Jockey – Jerry D. Bailey, Trainer – Gary Sciacca
1998: Horse – Vergennes, Jockey – John R. Velazquez, Trainer – Mark A. Hennig
1999: Horse – Super Quercus (FR), Jockey – Alex O. Solis, Trainer – Robert J. Frankel
2000: Horse – Brahms, Jockey – Pat Day, Trainer – W. Elliott Walden
2001: Horse – Denon, Jockey – Chris J. McCarron, Trainer – Robert J. Frankel
2002: Horse – Johar, Jockey – Alex O. Solis, Trainer – Richard E. Mandella
2003: Horse – Sweet Return (GB), Jockey – Julie A. Krone, Trainer – Ronald L. McAnally
2004: Horse – Good Reward, Jockey – Jerry D. Bailey, Trainer – Claude R. McGaughey III
2005: Race not held (turf course unavailable)
2006: Horse – Showing Up, Jockey – Cornelio H. Velasquez, Trainer – Barclay Tagg
2007: Horse – Daytona (IRE), Jockey – Mike E. Smith, Trainer – Dan L. Hendricks
2008: Horse – Court Vision, Jockey – Ramon A. Dominguez, Trainer – William I. Mott
2009: Horse – The Usual Q. T., Jockey – Victor Espinoza, Trainer – James M. Cassidy
2010: Horse – Haimish Hy, Jockey – Garrett K. Gomez, Trainer – Art Sherman
2011: Horse – Ultimate Eagle, Jockey – Martin A. Pedroza, Trainer – Michael Pender
2012: Horse – Unbridled Command, Jockey – Javier Castellano, Trainer – Thomas M. Bush
2013: Horse – Seek Again, Jockey – Corey S. Nakatani, Trainer – John H. M. Gosden
2014: Horse – California Chrome, Jockey – Victor Espinoza, Trainer – Art Sherman
2015: Horse – Chiropractor, Jockey – Corey S. Nakatani, Trainer – Thomas F. Proctor
2016: Horse – Annals of Time, Jockey – Javier Castellano, Trainer – Chad C. Brown
2017: Horse – Mo Town, Jockey – John R. Velazquez, Trainer – Anthony W. Dutrow
2018: Horse – Raging Bull (FR), Jockey – Joel Rosario, Trainer – Chad C. Brown
2019: Horse – Mo Forza, Jockey – Paco Lopez, Trainer – Peter Miller
2020: Horse – Domestic Spending (GB), Jockey – Irad Ortiz, Jr., Trainer – Chad C. Brown
2021: Horse – Beyond Brilliant, Jockey – Kent J. Desormeaux, Trainer – John A. Shirreffs
2022: Horse – Speaking Scout, Jockey – Juan J. Hernandez, Trainer – H. Graham Motion
2023: Horse – Program Trading (GB), Jockey – Flavien Prat, Trainer – Chad C. Brown
2024: Horse – Formidable Man, Jockey – Umberto Rispoli, Trainer – Michael W. McCarthy
2025: Horse – Salamis, Jockey – Umberto Rispoli, Trainer – Chad C. Brown