A Retrospective of the Kentucky Derby by Bill Frakes

Sports Illustrated contributing photographer Bill Frakes has covered the Kentucky Derby from the front lines for decades. Below is a selection of his most memorable images from over the years.

A Retrospective of the Kentucky Derby by Bill Frakes

2004 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Stewart Elliott aboard Smarty Jones (Blue) races against Lion Heart (orange) in the 2004 Kentucky Derby.

2013 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2009 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Jockey Calvin Borel celebrates winning the Kentucky Derby atop Mine That Bird.

Kentucky Derby 2003

Bill Frakes

Horses and jockeys take the final turn in the 2003 Kentucky Derby.

2014 Kentucky Derby.

Bill Frakes

2015 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2010 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2009 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Mine That Bird (8), with jockey Calvin Borel aboard, races to the finish!

Kentucky Derby 2003

Bill Frakes

2014 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Kentucky Derby 1995

Bill Frakes

Gary Stevens aboard Thunder Gulch took home the top prize in 1995.

2010 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2015 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

1995 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Thunder Gulch stands at the Winner's Circle, with trainer Wayne Lukas greeting the horse and jockey.

1995 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Fans cheer as Thunder Gulch leads down the backstretch.

2012 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Bodemeister (6) and jockey Mike Smith, right with a turquoise helmet, and Trinniberg (9) with jockey Willie Martinez, left with a red helmet, lead the field around the first turn.

2008 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

Kent Desormeaux riding Big Brown to victory in the 2008 Kentucky Derby.

2010 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

1995 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2014 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2014 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2014 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2015 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes

2015 Kentucky Derby

Bill Frakes