The 15-1 underdog Mage with Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano has won the 149th Kentucky Derby. The stallion, trained by Gustavo Delgado, prevailed on Saturday in Louisville thanks to a strong final sprint ahead of Two Phil's, ridden by Jareth Loveberry (USA), and Angel of Empire with French jockey Flavien Prat.

The brilliant race at the Churchill Downs circuit marked the end of an eventful week overshadowed by several deaths. Within ten days, seven horses died. Among them were two animals from Saturday's program that had to be euthanized after racing injuries.

The Kentucky Derby was the prelude to the so-called "Triple Crown", the second race of which is the Preakness Stakes on May 20 in Baltimore, Maryland. The three-way series will conclude with the Belmont Stakes in June in New York.