Racing has taken place in Louisiana since 1852 when racing took place at the Union Race Course and was to remain there for a further 5 years. It then was rehoused on a number of occasions but finally ended up at Fair Grounds. Whilst there are a number of race tracks throughout the USA called 'Fair Grounds', most appreciate that the most important is the New Orleans version opened on 12th April 1872 and operated by the Louisiana Jockey Club. It is housed on a 125 acre site and was the first to offer a heated grandstand to its patrons. Indeed, in 1918 the crowd was heated in a very different way when the old grandstand was burnt to the ground. The track was sold by auction in 1940, and there were fears that a housing development would replace the course, but a group was formed to rescue and manage the course, placing it on a more secure financial footing. Today the 8 furlong oval track is supported by 2 additional tracks, a 7 furlong turf track and 10 furlong chute, sharing a 410 metre home straight. In 1993 the grandstand was, once again, destroyed by fire on 17th December and a much needed rebuild project was actioned in 1994. The fruits of this were revealed for the first time in late 1997 when the track was re-opened on 27th December 1997. The course hosts a number of Group 2 events with the most famous being the Louisiana Derby. This 8 ½ furlong event for 3 year olds was first held in 1898 when the inaugural winner was Presbyterian, although arguably it might have been launched in 1894 when known as the Crescent City Derby when won by Buckwa. Although no race was run in 1895 and 1896, it was contested in 1897 when won by Meadowthorpe. More recently it was won by the Shaun Bridgmohan ridden Pyro in 2008, and in 2012 Nates Mineshaft won in the hands of Jesse Campbell. The track also hosts the New Orleans Handicap, a Grade 2 event which was first run in 1924. It is run over 9 furlongs and was won by Hero of Order in 2012 when ridden by Eddie Martin Junior.
Very grateful to our American Racing Correspondent Richard Gauthier for the scans of the rare badges shown above.
Louisiana Derby winners since its inception in 1898
1898 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Presbyterian trained by George Walker and ridden by Tommy Burns
1899 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by King Barleycorn trained by Edward Heffner and ridden by William Martin
1900 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Prince of Verona trained by Robert Walden and ridden by Eddie McJoynt
1901 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Henry Clay Rye ridden by Harry Cochran
1902 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Lord Quex trained by Albert Simons and ridden by Jimmy Winkfield
1903 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Witfull trained by Sam Hildreth and ridden by Willie Gannon
1904 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Ostrich ridden by Grove Fuller
1905 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Right Royal trained by Roger Minton and ridden by Jack Martin
1906 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Guiding Star trained by Sam Hildreth and ridden by Jack Martin
1907 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Montgomery trained by Frank Brown and ridden by Carroll Shilling
1908 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Meelick trained by Sam Hildreth and ridden by Eddie Dugan
1909-1919 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was not contested
1920 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Damask trained by Mose Goldblatt and ridden by Eddie Ambrose
1921 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was not contested
1922 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was not contested
1923 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Amole trained by Frank Letellier and ridden by J D Mooney
1924 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Black Gold trained by Hanley Webb and ridden by J D Mooney
1925 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Quatrain trained by Thomas Harmon and ridden by Harry Stutts
1926 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Bagenbaggage trained by William Hurley and ridden by Eric Blind
1927 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Boo trained by William Hurley and ridden by G Johnson
1928 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Jack Higgins trained by William Curran and ridden by Charles Allen
1929 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Calf Roper trained by Charles Durnell and ridden by Frank Coltiletti
1930 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Michigan Boy trained by J Butler and ridden by Jimmy Shelton
1931 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Spanish Play trained by George Land and ridden by Charles Landolt
1932 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Lucky Tom trained by Henry Riddle and ridden by Anthony Pascuma
1933 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Colonel Hatfield trained by John Parmalee and ridden by Carl Meyer
1934 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Hickory Lad trained by O L Foster and ridden by Jack Westrope
1935 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by McCarthy trained by Thomas Keating and ridden by Paul Keester
1936 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Rushaway trained by Alfred Tarn and ridden by Johnny Longden
1937 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Grey Count trained by Anthony Pelleteri and ridden by Charles Corbett
1938 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Wise Fox trained by Alfred Tarn and ridden by Johnny Longden
1939 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Day Off trained by E Leigh Cotton and ridden by Eddie Arcaro
1940-42 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was not contested
1943 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Amber Light trained by Jack Hodgins and ridden by Johnny Logden
1944 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Olympic Zenith trained by Edward Snyder and ridden by Nick Jemas
1945 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was not contested
1946 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Pellicle trained by E Leigh Cotton and ridden by Andrew Loturco
1947 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Carolyn A. trained by James Conway and ridden by Ronnie Nash
1948 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Bovard trained by James Rowan and ridden by Willie Saunders
1949 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Rookwood trained by John Theall and ridden by John Delahoussaye
1950 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Greek Ship trained by Preston Burch and ridden by Con Errico
1951 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Whirling Bat trained by Thomas May and ridden by Pete Anderson
1952 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Gushing Oil trained by Joseph Jansen and ridden by Al Popara
1953 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Matagorda trained by John Theall and ridden by Paul Bailey
1954 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Gigantic trained by John Theall and ridden by Rich McLaughlin
1955 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Roman Patrol trained by Joseph Pierce and ridden by Douglas Dodson
1956 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Reaping Right trained by Vester Wright and ridden by Robert Baird
1957 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Federal Hill trained by Stanley Rieser and ridden by Willie Carstens
1958 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Royal Union trained by Frank Saunders and ridden by John Heckmann
1959 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Master Palynch trained by Elmer Kalensky and ridden by Ray Broussard
1960 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Tony Graff trained by Nicholas Graffagnini and ridden by Wayne Chambers
1961 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Bass Clef trained by Anthony Rupelt and ridden by Ronnie Baldwin
1962 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Admirals Voyage trained by Charles Parke and ridden by Ray Broussard
1963 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by City Line trained by John Meaux and ridden by Robert Baird
1964 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Grecian Princess trained by Peter Keiser and ridden by Kelly Broussard
1965 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Dapper Delegate trained by Alcee Richard and ridden by John Heckmann
1966 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Blue Skyer trained by James Padgett and ridden by Ray Broussard
1967 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Ask the Fare trained by Jere Smith and ridden by Donald Holmes
1968 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Kentucky Sherry trained by Alcee Richard and ridden by James Combest
1969 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by King of the Castle trained by Oliver Cutshaw and ridden by Carlos Marquez
1970 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Jims Alibhi trained by James Eckrosh and ridden by Ronnie Baldwin
1971 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Northfields trained by Woody Stephens and ridden by Walter Blum
1972 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by No Le Hace trained by Homer Pardue and ridden by Phil Rubbicco
1973 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Leos Pisces trained by Abe Simoff and ridden by Robert Breen
1974 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Sellout trained by James Conway and ridden by Marco Castaneda
1975 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Master Derby trained by William Adams and ridden by Darrel McHargue
1976 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Johnny Appleseed trained by John Gaver and ridden by Marco Castaneda
1977 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Clev Er Tell trained by Homer Pardue and ridden by Ray Broussard
1978 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Esops Foibles trained by Loren Rettele and ridden by Chris McCarron
1979 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Golden Act trained by Loren Rettele and ridden by Sandy Hawley
1980 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Prince Valiant trained by John Gaver and ridden by Mike Gonzalez
1981 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Woodchopper trained by Robert Reinacher and ridden by Jorge Velasquez
1982 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by El Baba trained by Dewey Smith and ridden by Don Brumfield
1983 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Balboa Native by E Wayne Lukas and ridden by Jorge Velasquez
1984 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Taylors Special trained by William Mott and ridden by Sam Maple
1985 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Violado trained by William Burch and ridden by Jacinto Velasquez
1986 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Country Light trained by Steve Penrod and ridden by Pat Day
1987 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by J Ts Pet by Lynn Whiting and ridden by Pat Day
1988 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Risen Star trained by Louie Roussel and ridden by Shane Romero
1989 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Dispersal trained by Bud Delp and ridden by Jose Santos
1990 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Heaven Again trained by Vincent Timphony and ridden by Corey Nakatani
1991 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Rickman by William Mott and ridden by Pat Day
1992 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Line in the Sand trained by Neil Howard and ridden by Pat Day
1993 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Dixieland Heat trained by Gerald Romero and ridden by Randy Romero
1994 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Kandaly trained by Louie Roussel and ridden by Craig Perret
1995 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Petionville by Randy Bradshaw and ridden by Chris Antley
1996 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Grindstone trained by D Wayne Lukas and ridden by Jerry Bailey
1997 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Crypto Star trained by Wayne Catalano and ridden by Pat Day
1998 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Comic Strip trained by Neil Howard and ridden by Shane Sellers
1999 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Kimberlite Pipe by Dallas Stewart and ridden by Robby Albarado
2000 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Mighty trained by Frank Brothers and ridden by Shane Sellers
2001 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Fifty Stars trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Donnie Meche
2002 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Repent trained by Kenneth McPeek and ridden by Jerry Bailey
2003 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Peace Rules by Robert Frankel and ridden by Edgar Prado
2004 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Wimbledon trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Javier Santiago
2005 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by High Limit trained by Robert Frankel and ridden by Ramon Dominguez
2006 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was not contested due to Hurricane Katrina
2007 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Circular Quay by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez
2008 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Pyro trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan
2009 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 ½ furlongs was won by Friesan Fire trained by Larry Jones and ridden by Gabriel Saez
2010 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Mission Impazible trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Rajiv Maragh
2011 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Pants on Fire by Kelly Breen and ridden by Rosie Napravnik
2012 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Hero of Order trained by Gennadi Dorochenko and ridden by Eddie Martin
2013 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Revolutionary trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Javier Castellano
2014 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Vicars in Trouble trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Rosie Napravnik
2015 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by International Star by Michael Maker and ridden by Miguel Mena
2016 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Gun Runner trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Florent Geroux
2017 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Girvin trained by Joe Sharp and ridden by Brian Hernandez jnr
2018 The Louisiana Derby for 3 year olds over 9 furlongs was won by Noble Indy trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez
