Kentucky Derby 2026 purse, payout: How much money winner Golden Tempo takes home?

May 2, 2026Updated May 3, 2026, 1:49 p.m. ETBeyond the coveted honor of being crowned the winner of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, this year’s champion, Golden Tempo, will also receive a staggering $3.1 million purse, one of the biggest prizes in all of horse racing.For the third consecutive year, the total Kentucky Derby purse stands at $5 million, with the winner claiming the largest share with a $3.1 million payout. The runner-up secures a $1 million purse, while the third-place finisher is guaranteed $500,000. Fourth place earns $250,000, and fifth place receives $150,000. This impressive prize structure ensures that even the top finishers who didn't win the garland of roses are handsomely rewarded for their efforts on racing’s grandest stage.This year’s purse represents a significant increase since 2023, when the total prize pool was $3 million and the first-place finisher received $1.86 million.Kentucky Derby purse 2026: Winner payout, prize moneyThe Kentucky Derby is considered the most lucrative horse race in the United States, and the 152nd edition will once again see a $5 million purse available at Churchill Downs.Last year's winner, Sovereignty, brought home a $3.1 million prize (with 10% of that going to the winning jockey), while runner-up Journalism