It’s time for everyone’s favorite event in horse racing in 2026.
The Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday at Churchill Downs as is the tradition, and if you’re gearing up to watch what has been dubbed “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” you may notice a peculiar detail: The jockeys in the race typically wear goggles — which is understandable — but riders will frequently wear several sets of goggles during a race that covers just 1.25 miles.
What gives? Here’s the answer.
Jockeys wear goggles to avoid mud being kicked up from the hooves of the horses in front of them, which — as you’d guess — impairs their vision. Having multiple sets of goggles is simple: When one gets too dirty, the jockey can take it off and use a spare.
Goggles not only protect the rider’s eyes from mud and dirt, but there are also different tints, which allows jockeys to see in different lighting conditions.
So, if you’re watching the race on Saturday and wondering what the deal is with all the eyewear, just know it’s not some sort of fashion statement. There’s a method to putting more than one pair on.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why do Kentucky Derby jockeys wear so many goggles for the race?