The 1879 Kentucky Derby was the 5th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 20, 1879. The winning horse Lord Murphy set a new Derby record with a winning time of 2:37.00. Lord Murphy was not the first horse out of the starting gate. He then dramatically collided with another horse and stumbled badly. However he recovered and achieved his note-worthy finish. He was the first horse foaled in Tennessee to win the Derby. Two more natives of that state would go on to win future Derbys.
Full results Finished Post Horse Jockey Trainer Owner Time / behind 1st Lord Murphy Charles Shauer George Rice Geo. W. Darden & Co. 2:37.00 2nd Falsetto Isaac Murphy J.W.H. Reynolds 3rd Strathmore Hightower George Cadwallader 4th Trinidad Alonzo Allen Daniel Swigert 5th One Dime L. Jones G. W. Bowen & Co. 6th General Pike John Stoval Gen. Abe Buford 7th Ada Glenn Ramey G. D. Wilson 8th Buckner D. Edwards H. W. Farris 9th Wissahickon L. Hawkins H. Price McGrath
Payout The winner received a purse of $3,550. Second place received $200.
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