Secretariat holds the undisputed record for the fastest Kentucky Derby time in history.
The legendary racehorse Secretariat clocked an astonishing time of 1 minute, 59 2/5 seconds (1:59.40) at the 1973 Kentucky Derby, a feat that has never been surpassed. This remarkable performance secured his place in horse racing lore and marked a pivotal moment on his path to winning the Triple Crown.
Achieving a time under two minutes in the Kentucky Derby is exceptionally rare. In the long history of the race, only two horses have ever managed to break this two-minute barrier, underscoring the extraordinary athleticism required to do so. Secretariat's record stands as a testament to his incredible speed and endurance on the Churchill Downs track.
Below are the only two horses to ever complete the Kentucky Derby in under two minutes:
| Horse | Year | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Secretariat | 1973 | 1:59.40 |
| Monarchos | 2001 | 1:59.97 |
Secretariat's time is often reported as 1:59 2/5 seconds, which converts to 1:59.40 in decimal format, officially recognized as the fastest time. Monarchos achieved his sub-two-minute finish nearly three decades later, becoming only the second horse to join this elite group.
