Donerail: The Unexpected Winner

On May 10, 1913, a crowd of 30,000 spectators gathered at Churchill Downs to witness the 39th running of the Kentucky Derby. Among the eight competing horses, most bets were placed on Ten Point or Blue Grass Stakes winner Foundation, with little attention given to Donerail, a 91-1 longshot. Despite having not won a single race that season, Donerail was about to defy all odds and become the talk of the day.

Early Life and Training

Donerail, a bay colt foaled in 1910, was bred by Thomas P. Hayes at Glen-Helen Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. The colt was sired by McGee and out of the mare Algie M. Rather than sell him, Hayes chose to train Donerail himself. As the colt matured, he grew into a strong, 16-hand horse, but despite showing potential, he remained largely unnoticed by the racing community.

Donerail began his racing career in 1912 as a two-year-old, winning four of his 18 starts. His best finishes came in races like the Golden Rod Selling Stakes and Rosedale Stakes. Donerail’s jockey, Roscoe Goose, believed strongly in the horse’s potential, often boasting to friends about his abilities. However, Donerail’s performances didn’t attract much attention, and by 1913, he had failed to win any of his first three races as a three-year-old, finishing second in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Reluctance to Enter the Kentucky Derby

Hayes initially had no intention of entering Donerail in the Kentucky Derby. He felt his horse was outclassed and saw no reason to compete in such a prestigious race. Although the Kentucky Derby purse was raised to a record $6,600 that year, the race had not yet reached the iconic status it holds today. Hayes believed the risk of losing outweighed the potential reward.

Roscoe Goose, however, was convinced Donerail had a chance to win the Derby. The jockey repeatedly pleaded with Hayes to reconsider, but Hayes encouraged him to find another horse to ride. After failing to secure another mount, Goose returned to Hayes, still urging him to enter Donerail.

It wasn’t until Hayes’ friend, William J. Treacy, stepped in that the decision was made. Treacy, confident in Donerail’s potential, offered to pay the horse’s entry fee and placed a $100 bet on Donerail to win at 100-1 odds. With Treacy’s encouragement, Hayes agreed to enter Donerail in the race.

The Walk to Churchill Downs

Due to overcrowding at Churchill Downs, Donerail was stabled three miles away at Douglas Park, meaning the horse had to walk on dirt and cobblestone streets to reach the track on race day. This logistical challenge only added to the scepticism surrounding Donerail’s chances. By the time the horses lined up at the starting gate, Donerail’s odds had risen to 91-1, and few believed he stood a chance.

The 1913 Kentucky Derby

As the race began, Ten Point took an early lead, with Foundation and Yankee Notions close behind. Donerail and Goose hung back, letting the frontrunners tire themselves out. As the horses approached the final stretch, Ten Point began to fade, and Yankee Notions surged ahead. Just when it seemed the race would come down to these two, Donerail made his move, passing them both in the final moments.

To the shock of the crowd, Donerail crossed the finish line half a length ahead of Ten Point, setting a new track record with a time of 2:04 4/5. The 91-1 longshot had just pulled off the greatest upset in Kentucky Derby history. Donerail’s victory earned him $5,745, while a $2 bet on him returned an incredible $184.90. Treacy’s faith in the horse paid off as he collected $10,000 from his bet.

Roscoe Goose's Moment of Triumph

After the race, Kentucky Governor James B. McCreary presented Roscoe Goose with a bouquet of flowers and congratulated him. Goose, a Louisville native, was elated, calling it the greatest day of his life. "I rode him to the best of my ability. I was on a good horse today," Goose proudly declared, acknowledging Donerail’s determination and strong finish in the race.

Donerail's Continued Career

Following his historic Derby win, Donerail continued to race, securing victories in the Canadian Sportsman’s Handicap and the Hamilton Cup. Throughout his career, he raced 62 times, finishing with a record of 10 wins, 11 places, and 10 shows. However, his later performances never matched the heights of his Kentucky Derby success.

In 1914, Donerail won several more stakes races but suffered a serious injury, which sidelined him until 1916. Although he returned to racing, he never regained his previous form.

Later Life and Legacy

Donerail retired to Glen-Helen Farm in 1917, where he briefly stood as a stud, commanding a modest fee of $50. That same year, Hayes donated Donerail to the U.S. Remount Service for breeding cavalry horses. However, the horse never completed the required inspections and was eventually put back into training in 1918. Despite a brief return to the track, Donerail’s racing days were over, and he was later gelded.

Little is known about Donerail’s life after racing, but his place in Kentucky Derby history remains secure. His 91-1 odds remain the longest ever for a Derby winner, a record that still stands today. Even longshot winners like Giacomo (50-1 in 2005) and Mine That Bird (50-1 in 2009) didn’t come close to matching Donerail’s incredible upset.

While details about his later years are scarce, one thing is certain: Donerail’s 1913 Kentucky Derby victory will forever be remembered as one of the most remarkable moments in horse racing history.