Kentucky Derby 2021 live stream: how to watch for free, start time, TV channel, odds, horses

Kentucky Derby live stream: how to watch the 2021 Triple Crown for free
(Image credit: wikipedia: By Jarrett Campbell from Cary, NC, USA - IMG_1622, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4244553)

The 2021 Kentucky Derby – the legendary horse race known as "the greatest two minutes in sports" – is live today. Churchill Downs has welcomed the 20 best thoroughbreds in the world in the pursuit of a $3million purse. Make sure you know how to watch a Kentucky Derby live stream for free, from anywhere in the world. with the start time, full horse list, tips and odds below.

Kentucky Derby live stream

Start time: 11.57pm BST / 6.67pm ET / 8.57am AEST

Venue: Churchill Downs, Kentucky

US stream: NBC / FuboTV (free trial)

Watch anywhere: ExpressVPN

UK stream: Sky Sports / Now (£9.99/day)

Canada live stream: TSN ($7/day)

The 147th Kentucky Derby – sponsored by Woodford Reserve Kentucky bourbon –  is a Grade I stakes race at a distance of 1 1⁄4 miles (2km). The race will be broadcast by NBC in the States, with coverage of the undercard races by NBC Sports Network. The stands hold 165,000 but attendance will be limited to 45,000 this year.

Rock Your World and Essential Quality are the runaway favourites, but noted tipster Hammerin' Hank Goldberg claims Dynamic One could be the ultimate long shot. At 20-1, you're either going to end up celebrating with a mint julep or losing your shirt. 

Meanwhile, world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury says he plans to attend Churchill Downs to cheer on a horse named in his honour, King Fury.

"I'm going to walk the horse out, of course I am," Fury told Sky Sports. "How badass would it be, you own a horse and the Gypsy King, Tyson Fury, the undefeated, undisputed lineal champion is walking your horse into the arena?"

More of a Seinfeld fan? You might consider backing Soup and Sandwich at 30-1.

The undercard started at 5.30pm UK time, with the Kentucky Derby due at 11.57pm (6.57pm ET). The post time is estimated to be one minute past midnight in the UK. Here's how to how to get a free Kentucky Derby live stream from anywhere in the world.

2021 Kentucky Derby free live stream

Good news – there is a way to watch the 2021 Kentucky Derby for free. Streaming service FuboTV carries more than 100 channels including NBC, which has the rights show the entire event live.

Subscription to FuboTV costs $65 a month but new subscribers get a free trial. That means horse racing fans in the USA can watch the Kentucky Derby without paying a dime!

Not in the US this weekend? You'll need to use a VPN to access the FuboTV free trial without being blocked. We recommend ExpressVPN as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support.

FuboTV free 7-day trial

<a href="https://geni.us/YkQAuWd" data-link-merchant="geni.us"">FuboTV free 7-day trial<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/?irad=366904&irmp=221109&subId1=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="fubo.tv"" data-link-merchant="geni.us"">
FuboTV offers a 7-day free trial with access to stream over 100 channels of live sports, TV shows and movies. One of those channels NBC Sports which means you can watch a Leeds vs Man United free live stream too.

How to watch the 2021 Kentucky Derby abroad using a VPN

Even if you have subscribed to the relevant 2021 Kentucky Derby rights holders, you won't be able to use them when outside your own country. The service will know your location based on your IP address, and will automatically block your access.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) helps you get around this obstacle. A VPN creates a private connection between your device and the internet, such that the servers and services you’re accessing aren’t aware of what you’re doing. All the information passing back and forth is entirely encrypted.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. As a rule, we’d suggest a paid-for service such as ExpressVPN which offers a 100 per cent risk-free money back guarantee. If you're not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days

<a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2F%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"">Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days
ExpressVPN hits it for six with a 30-day money back guarantee with its VPN service. You can use it to watch on your mobile, tablet, laptop, TV, games console and more. There's 24/7 customer support and three months free when you sign-up.

UK: 2021 Kentucky Derby live stream

Kentucky Derby live stream: how to watch the 2021 Triple Crown for free

(Image credit: Sky Sports Racing)

British horse racing fans should tune into Sky Sports Racing to see this year's Kentucky Derby. Sky Subscribers can watch on the move using the Sky Go app for laptops, phones, desktops and consoles.

Don't have Sky? The best option is a Now Sky Sports pass, which provides instant online access to all 11 Sky Sports channels. A day pass costs £9.98 but the Month Pass is better value at £33.99.

Better still, if you sign up for 3 months and you can get a "Sky Sports Membership + Boost" pass for just £33.99 £25 a month.

Kentucky Derby horses, jockeys and odds 2021

Kentucky Derby live stream: how to watch the 2021 Triple Crown for free

(Image credit: Woodford Reserve)

1 Known Agenda 6-1 

2 Like the King 50-1

3 Brooklyn Strong 50-1

4 Keepmeinmind 50-1

5 Sainthood 50-1 

6 O Besos 20-1 

7 Mandaloun 15-1 

8 Medina Spirit 15-1 

9 Hot Rod Charlie 8-1 

10 Midnight Bourbon 20-1 

11 Dynamic One 20-1 

12 Helium 50-1 

13 Hidden Stash 50-1 

14 Essential Quality 2-1 

15 Rock Your World 5-1 

16 King Fury 20-1 

17 Highly Motivated 10-1 

18 Super Stock 30-1 

19 Soup and Sandwich 30-1 

20 Bourbonic 30-1

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test