If a trip to the USA to watch the Kentucky Derby (3 May) in person isn’t feasible this year, there is no need to miss the action with our helpful TV guide to ensure you keep up to speed with this year’s winners as they pass the post.
The UK’s free racing broadcaster ITV and the ITVX streaming service will NOT be showing the Kentucky Derby live. Racing TV’s subscription service will have full coverage of the race though.
If you’re abroad, and trying to watch Racing TV like you normally would back in the UK, then you may need to use a VPN. Check out NordVPN, where you can get 73% off, plus a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below. For details of other 2025 Kentucky Derby TV channels and live streams, scroll down to read more.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the USA.
The Kentucky Derby is an American Grade One stakes race, run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky and is open to three-year-old Thoroughbred colts and fillies.
Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown and is known by many as “the greatest two minutes in sport”.
The Kentucky Derby is run over a distance of 2,012 metres (about 1¼ miles) with a prize of $3.1m (about £2,332,192) going to the winner.
The Kentucky Derby on TV: how to watch
ITV Racing will not be showing the Kentucky Derby live. Racing TV will be showing the race and this is the best option for viewers in the UK.
Racing TV is a subscription service that normally costs £29.98 (UK) / €34.98 (ROI) per month with a 12-month minimum term, but it is currently offering a 31-day free trial period for new and returning Racing TV customers in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland until 23:59, Sunday 4 May 2025.
If you are in the USA, NBC will be showing all of the Kentucky Derby action, and it can also be streamed with services such as Peacock, DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and Sling.
What time does it start?
The Kentucky Derby gets underway at 11.57pm British time (6.57pm ET) on Saturday 3 May.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby outside the UK
While it is not necessary to use a VPN to access Racing TV’s live stream, if you would like to protect your online viewing from being monitored by third-parties, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you do this. A VPN creates a private connection between your device and the internet, such that the servers and services you’re accessing aren’t able to track 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. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 73% off, which offers a 100% 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.
How to use a VPN
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.
2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access.
3. Then head over to Racing TV on your browser or device and enjoy the livestream.
Save 73% with NordVPN
Use this secure VPN to access the Racing TV live stream from anywhere in the world. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
- Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
- Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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