Photos show a surreal scene at the Kentucky Derby during the pandemic, with almost no fans in the stadium and protests demanding justice for Breonna Taylor

Katie WarrenSep 9, 2020, 02:56 IST

Left: Fans at Kentucky Derby in 2019; Right: Empty stands at Kentucky Derby in 2020.John Minchillo/Charlie Riedel/AP

The iconic Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, hosted the 146th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, September 5.
This year's race, which was postponed from the first weekend in May due to coronavirus concerns, was unlike any other.
The Derby took place with fewer horses, less than half the typical wagering, and no fans in the stands.
During the Derby, Black Lives Matter activists and a Black militia held a protest outside Churchill Downs to demand the arrest of the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor, facing off against far-right counter-protesters.

In the world of horse racing, there is no bigger event than the Kentucky Derby.

Each year on the first weekend of May, fans celebrate the Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, with ritzy parties, massive hats, and plenty of mint juleps. Tens of thousands of people descend on the iconic Churchill Downs Racetrack to watch 20 horses compete for the $3 million purse.

In 2020, however, the Derby was different than ever before.

After being postponed due to coronavirus concerns, the race took place on September 5, four months later than planned. Jockeys and horses raced in front of empty stands, as fans were not allowed to attend in-person. Outside Churchill Downs, protesters gathered to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman killed by police in Louisville in March.

Here's what the Kentucky Derby was like during the pandemic.

The Kentucky Derby is the biggest event in the world of horse racing.

A view of the Kentucky Derby in 2017. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Spectators typically dress up in colorful suits and dresses and extravagant hats decorated with flowers, feathers, bows, and ribbons.

The Kentucky Derby in 2019. Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Churchill Downs

Last year, 150,729 people descended on the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky to watch 20 horses compete for a $3 million purse.

The 145th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019. Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This year, however, the Derby looked quite a bit different from before.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The most striking difference was that no fans were allowed to attend the race, leaving the stands largely empty.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Kentucky officials praised the racetrack's decision to hold the race without in-person spectators.

Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Andy Beshear at his swearing-in ceremony in Frankfort, Kentucky, on December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

While the stands were mostly empty, a limited few spectators were allowed in.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Instead of the typical crowds of raucous fans in the stands, the Derby's onlookers watched in small groups and remained socially distanced.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

It was nothing compared to the upwards of 150,000 people that usually pack the stands.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Despite the circumstances, the tradition of over-the-top fascinator hats was kept alive.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Many matched their hats to their face masks in a 2020 take on Derby fashion.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

And some wore face masks customized with the name of their favorite horse. The fan pictured below is wearing a mask emblazoned with the name of the winning horse, Authentic.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

And some wore face masks customized with the name of their favorite horse. The fan pictured below is wearing a mask emblazoned with the name of the winning horse, Authentic.

Wagering on the Kentucky Derby is a sport in itself — but this year, the bets were few and far between.

The wagering window at the 146th Kentucky Derby. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

While 20 horses typically compete in the Kentucky Derby, this year the race was limited to 15.

The 15 Derby contenders break from the starting gate. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The horses pounded down the track in the absence of a typically roaring crowd. The race lasted just over two minutes.

Authentic and jockey John Velazquez lead during the 146th Kentucky Derby. Rob Carr/Getty Images

The jockeys wore face coverings alongside their usual helmets and goggles.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Authentic's win comes with $1.86 million in prize money and the famous golden trophy.

Authentic and jockey John Velazquez head to the winners circle after winning the 146th Kentucky Derby on September 5, 2020. Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There was a commotion in the winner's circle when Authentic was startled and knocked down his legendary trainer, Bob Baffert.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

This year's victory was the 6th Derby win for Baffert, tying him with late horse trainer Ben Jones for most all-time wins among trainers.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

This year's Kentucky Derby was out of the ordinary in other ways beyond taking place during a pandemic with no fans.

REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

Counter-protesters, including armed far-right activists and self-described militia members, faced off against the Black Lives Matter protesters.

REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

The decision to hold the Derby without fans cost the city of Louisville an estimated $400 million in tourism revenue.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

How one couple built a 300-square-foot expandable tiny house on just $25,000 using scraps from a film set and the town dump

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Photos show a surreal scene at the Kentucky Derby during the pandemic, with almost no fans in the stadium and protests demanding justice for Breonna Taylor

The Kentucky Derby is the biggest event in the world of horse racing.

Spectators typically dress up in colorful suits and dresses and extravagant hats decorated with flowers, feathers, bows, and ribbons.

Last year, 150,729 people descended on the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky to watch 20 horses compete for a $3 million purse.

This year, however, the Derby looked quite a bit different from before.

The most striking difference was that no fans were allowed to attend the race, leaving the stands largely empty.

Kentucky officials praised the racetrack's decision to hold the race without in-person spectators.

While the stands were mostly empty, a limited few spectators were allowed in.

Instead of the typical crowds of raucous fans in the stands, the Derby's onlookers watched in small groups and remained socially distanced.

It was nothing compared to the upwards of 150,000 people that usually pack the stands.

Despite the circumstances, the tradition of over-the-top fascinator hats was kept alive.

Many matched their hats to their face masks in a 2020 take on Derby fashion.

And some wore face masks customized with the name of their favorite horse. The fan pictured below is wearing a mask emblazoned with the name of the winning horse, Authentic.

Wagering on the Kentucky Derby is a sport in itself — but this year, the bets were few and far between.

While 20 horses typically compete in the Kentucky Derby, this year the race was limited to 15.

The horses pounded down the track in the absence of a typically roaring crowd. The race lasted just over two minutes.

The jockeys wore face coverings alongside their usual helmets and goggles.

Authentic's win comes with $1.86 million in prize money and the famous golden trophy.

There was a commotion in the winner's circle when Authentic was startled and knocked down his legendary trainer, Bob Baffert.

This year's victory was the 6th Derby win for Baffert, tying him with late horse trainer Ben Jones for most all-time wins among trainers.

This year's Kentucky Derby was out of the ordinary in other ways beyond taking place during a pandemic with no fans.

Counter-protesters, including armed far-right activists and self-described militia members, faced off against the Black Lives Matter protesters.

The decision to hold the Derby without fans cost the city of Louisville an estimated $400 million in tourism revenue.