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European Dominance Continues at Nashville Derby
4 Sep
Summary
- The 2026 Nashville Derby is set for Saturday, September 5, at Kentucky Downs.
- European trainers have secured the last two Nashville Derby victories.
- The Derby boasts a $3 million purse, second richest for three-year-olds.
The 2026 Nashville Derby is scheduled to take place this Saturday, September 5, at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. This historic venue is located just north of Nashville. Live race coverage will commence at 4:00 PM ET, broadcast on both NBC and Peacock. European trainers have a strong recent record in this event, winning the last two editions. All four European entrants this year are considered strong contenders.
The morning line favorite is Causeway, trained by Ireland's Aidan O'Brien. The Nashville Derby offers a significant $3 million purse. This makes it the richest race held at Kentucky Downs and the second-richest race for three-year-olds nationwide, trailing only the Kentucky Derby. The purse includes a base of $1.75 million and a $1.25 million enhancement for Kentucky-bred horses.
