That's part of how we drive sponsorships going forward, higher attendance going forward, and other avenues to licensing, wagering ... those are all payoffs for thoughtfully and successfully growing international participation."And with up to three of the 20 post positions in the Kentucky Derby saved for international horses, Churchill Downs has seen more buy-in from countries along its international qualifying pathway — bringing with it more international tourism to Louisville, foreign business partnerships and millions of betting dollars on the Kentucky Derby race from foreigners."There are far more people that want to run their horse in the Kentucky Derby than there are slots in the starting gate," Carstanjen said. "That being said, I think our horsemen really buy into this notion that the international participants make the race better."Buy Kentucky Derby ticketsThe International Road to the Kentucky Derby started in Japan but was later expanded to include other regions and iconic global races such as the UAE Derby, Saudi Derby and Cattleya Stakes.

Similar to the Road to the Kentucky Derby, which takes places at tracks across the U.S., the international pathway uses designated races and awards points to the top finishers in each race. The horses that accumulate the most points earn a position in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May."Virtually anywhere you go in the world, they have thoroughbred horse racing, it's really a common language. It's a way for people to connect," Carstanjen told The Courier Journal.

"And what we've done is enabled that passion to take a shot at America's biggest race — perhaps the biggest race in the world, and that's the Kentucky Derby."In 2025, Churchill Downs announced it was expanding the International Road to the Kentucky Derby, which runs through Japan, Europe and the Middle East, to include three more points-bearing races abroad as horsemen across the globe show continued interest in racing under the twin spires for a chance to snag the $5 million guaranteed 152nd Kentucky Derby prize money."The Kentucky Derby is a truly special race and is currently the one I want to win the most," Daisuke Takayanagi, a Japanese trainer of the 2024 Kentucky Derby fifth place finisher T O Password and 2026 Kentucky Derby qualifier Wonder Dean told The Courier Journal via a Churchill Downs translator. "I believe these initiatives are very significant as they broaden the opportunities to reach that goal."But for Carstanjen and the globetrotting team at Churchill Downs who work to bring in international racers and fans, the push for foreign involvement isn’t for short-term gain.

It's about fundamental growth for the company and the future of the Kentucky Derby."It's always a journey. It's not a destination," Carstanjen said. "One component of the bigger vision for the company is to be the greatest horse racing company in the world.

And you can't be that if you don't engage and excite the international markets, so we're doing that now, and I think you'll see tangible benefits from that, in our attendance from outside of North America, in our sponsorships, in the race participants and in the wagering."How Japan has changed the Kentucky DerbyThe Japanese are no newbies to the Kentucky Derby, having had horses in at least eight Kentucky Derby races since 1995, including Forever Young's third place photo finish at the 2024 Kentucky Derby."I think you see the laser focus of the Japanese market in trying to win the Kentucky Derby," Carstanjen said. "They're really coming after it hard.

And I think that road alone changed the international perspective ... I think the Japanese have proven that it's possible, that it's something you should pursue, and that it's worth pursuing."As Japan has grown into a powerhouse in thoroughbred horse racing with a keen interest in the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs has seen other business benefits in addition to the highly competitive horses joining the race. In 2