The 151st Run for the Roses is officially in the history books, and honestly, it was one of those years where the names on the program actually told the story of the race before it even started. If you followed the names of horses in 2025 Kentucky Derby, you saw a mix of international flair, rock music tributes, and high-stakes corporate branding. It wasn’t just a race; it was a muddy, chaotic duel under the Twin Spires that saw a 5-1 second choice prove that some names carry more weight than others.
The winner, Sovereignty, didn't just win; he dominated a sloppy track to give the powerhouse Godolphin stable their very first Kentucky Derby trophy. It’s kinda wild when you think about it—the world’s biggest racing operation finally getting it done with a horse whose name literally means "supreme power."
The Official Lineup: Names of Horses in 2025 Kentucky Derby
When the gates crashed open on May 3, 2025, there were 19 colts and geldings ready to tear up the 1 1/4 miles of dirt. We started with a full field of 20, but the late-week drama that always seems to haunt Churchill Downs struck again. Rodriguez, a Bob Baffert trainee named after the musician from the "Searching for Sugar Man" documentary, had to be scratched because of a foot bruise.
That opened the door for Baeza.
He was the "also-eligible" horse that everyone was whispering about, reminiscent of Rich Strike’s legendary upset. Named after the Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza, this colt didn't just show up—he finished third at 13-1 odds.
Here is how the field actually looked at post time:
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- Sovereignty (The eventual winner, trained by Bill Mott)
- Journalism (The heavy 3-1 favorite who led for most of the stretch)
- Baeza (The late entry who crashed the trifecta)
- Final Gambit (A Brad Cox trainee named after a Pokemon move)
- Owen Almighty (A 40-1 longshot who hung around for 5th)
- Burnham Square (The Blue Grass Stakes winner)
- Sandman (Named for the Metallica song "Enter Sandman")
- East Avenue (A Godolphin homebred)
- Chunk of Gold (A massive longshot that outran his odds)
- Tiztastic (The Steve Asmussen contender)
- Coal Battle (A gritty Louisiana-based horse)
- Luxor Cafe (One of the two Japanese invaders)
- Neoequos (A Saffie Joseph Jr. speedster)
- Publisher (Bred by the late Governor Brereton Jones)
- Citizen Bull (The 2-year-old champion who struggled from the rail)
- American Promise (The D. Wayne Lukas entry)
- Render Judgment (The Kenny McPeek closer)
- Flying Mohawk (The Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up)
- Admire Daytona (The second Japanese runner, winner of the UAE Derby)
Why Journalism Was the Name Everyone Was Chasing
If you spent any time at the betting windows, you heard one name more than any other: Journalism.
Basically, he was the horse of the moment. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism came into the Derby after an absolute destruction of the field in the Santa Anita Derby. He was a son of Uncle Mo, out of a mare named Mopotism. People loved the name because it felt classic, like he was meant to be the lead story.
He nearly was.
Journalism struck the lead at the top of the stretch and looked like he might just pull away. But as the mud started flying and the distance started to bite, the 1 ¼ miles proved just a bit too long. He finished a gallant second, but it was a "hold the front page" moment that didn't quite have the ending the bettors wanted.
The Metallica Connection and the Longshots
The horse Sandman had a lot of casual fans. Why? Because Mark Casse and the owners leaned into the Metallica vibes. Every time he stepped onto the track, you could almost hear the guitar riffs. He was the winner of the Arkansas Derby and went off as the 6-1 third choice. Honestly, he ran a respectable race to finish 7th, but he just couldn't find that extra gear in the Churchill dirt.
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Then you had Final Gambit.
Juddmonte Farms usually goes for very posh, sophisticated names. This time? They let their employees choose, and they went with a gaming reference. It’s a move in Pokemon where a character sacrifices itself to deal damage. Thankfully, the horse didn't sacrifice anything—he stayed upright and finished a very strong 4th, nearly catching Baeza for the show dough.
International Names: The Japanese Invasion
The 2025 field continued the trend of Japan sending over serious heat. Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona weren't just here for the mint juleps. Luxor Cafe had won the Fukuryu Stakes back home and actually sat closer to the pace than many expected.
He finished 12th, while Admire Daytona struggled at the back of the pack.
The "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" is becoming a legitimate pipeline, though. Even if the names of horses in 2025 Kentucky Derby from Japan didn't hit the board this time, the respect they get from bettors is skyrocketing. Luxor Cafe went off at 8-1, which is incredibly short for an overseas horse.
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What We Learned About the Names of Horses in 2025 Kentucky Derby
The rail draw (Post 1) continued to be a graveyard. Citizen Bull, the horse that everyone thought was the superstar after he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, got stuck on the inside. He was the champion 2-year-old, a son of Into Mischief, but he got squeezed at the start and basically never had a chance. He finished 15th.
It's a reminder that names and pedigrees don't matter much if you get buried in a 19-horse stampede.
Actionable Insights for Next Year
- Watch the Scratches: Baeza’s 3rd-place finish proves that the "Also-Eligible" list is where the value lives.
- Godolphin Factor: Now that they’ve broken the "Derby Curse" with Sovereignty, don't ignore their horses, even if they aren't the primary favorite.
- The Santa Anita Lead: Journalism proved again that the California route is often the strongest form line heading into Kentucky.
The names of horses in 2025 Kentucky Derby will be remembered for the day the blue silks of Godolphin finally stood alone at the top. If you’re already looking toward the 2026 race, keep an eye on the early prep races like the Iroquois and the Breeders' Futurity. The next Sovereignty is probably already in a starting gate somewhere.
Keep your wagering sheets and your programs. These 19 names gave us one of the fastest, muddiest, and most unpredictable Derbies in recent memory. Sovereignty won the race, but the depth of the field made it a classic.