The Kentucky Derby is known as the "Run for the Roses," but there's a lot more at stake than just flowers. The 2026 edition of America's most famous horse race is offering a $5 million purse for the third consecutive year, with the winning horse and its team taking home a hefty $3.1 million.

Here's how the top-five finishers cash in: the winner gets the lion's share, while second through fifth place earn progressively smaller payouts. But the real story is how that $3.1 million prize gets divvied up among the winning team. The horse's owner takes 80% of the winnings, the trainer gets 10%, and the jockey receives the remaining 10%. So while the winning jockey would technically pocket $310,000, they typically share that with their valet and agent.

Of course, the glory doesn't end with the check. The winning owner receives the iconic Kentucky Derby Trophy, a 22-inch-tall masterpiece made of 14-karat gold. Meanwhile, the horse's connections—trainer, jockey, and breeder—each take home a half-sized silver replica. It's a tradition that perfectly captures the blend of prestige and reward that makes the Derby one of the most anticipated events in sports.