Derby Day
Every Day

Countdown to the 152nd Kentucky Derby Begins at the Kentucky Derby Museum!

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Home Kentucky Derby Bourbon Icons Festivals Kentucky Tourism Sports Getting There

The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports

The Kentucky Derby stands alone in the world of sport, drawing upwards of 175,000 racegoers into a blur of hats, heritage, and high-stakes energy. Steeped in unmatched history and tradition, the spectacle at Churchill Downs has earned recognition from Forbes as one of America’s “Greatest Bucket-List Sporting Events.” Each year, on the first Saturday in May, guests gather beneath the iconic Twin Spires to take part in a celebration that leaves a lifetime of memories.

During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited Kentucky five times, including her final visit in 2007 to attend the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby. The attendance that year was the third largest in Kentucky Derby history with favourite Street Sense winning the Run for the Roses. To honour her majesty, a special blend of tea was created by the executive chef at Churchill Downs for her visit.

Countdown to the 151st Kentucky Derby Begins at the Kentucky Derby Museum!

As we count down for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby Museum is celebrating with several exclusive events and exhibits including the highly anticipated Featured Milliner Program, showcasing exclusive Derby fashion from top U.S. and European designers like Mary Julia Kaiser, Ilana Kogan, and more. The Derby Museum Hat Show on March 22 will feature up to ten unique designs from each milliner, available for purchase at the Museum Store. Plus, experience the magic of Derby Season with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, from the Barn & Backside Tour to the Derby Legends Experience. With VIP options, keepsake booklets, and commemorative gift bags, this is the ultimate way to get in the Derby spirit. Get your tickets now and be part of the excitement!

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Thunder over Louisville

Now celebrating its 37th year, Thunder Over Louisville kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival with a mind-blowing pyrotechnics display that’s the largest in North America! Drawing an estimated half a million attendees, this explosive event transforms Louisville and Southern Indiana into a dazzling wonderland of lights, music, and thrills. Known for its breathtaking artistry from Zambelli Fireworks, Thunder packs as much firepower as possible into 28 minutes, delivering a heart-stopping series of “finales” set to an unforgettable soundtrack. It’s a show that you have to feel to believe, vibrating through your chest and shaking the ground beneath you. Don’t miss the magic—be there to experience the thrill of Thunder!

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Race to the Finish at the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon!

Lace up your running shoes and get ready for the 25th running of the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon, one of the most exciting races in Louisville!

Held annually as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival, this marathon offers runners a chance to experience the heart of the city with scenic views, distinct neighbourhoods, and an electric atmosphere. Whether you're aiming for the full marathon, a half marathon, or the 5K, you'll be part of the excitement leading up to the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Lined with spirited crowds and live music, the course will wind through downtown, the historic Old Louisville neighbourhood, Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby), and parts of the picturesque Olmsted Park System. The full Marathon will showcase Louisville’s South End, featuring a stretch along Southern Parkway and through Iroquois Park. Don’t miss out on this thrilling race day experience—register now and run for the roses!

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History of Churchill Downs

Founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., the grandson of the famous explorer William Clark, Churchill Downs was originally named the Louisville Jockey Club when it was purchased in the 1870s. As the popularity of the sport grew and the track began to expand, a new grandstand debuted in 1895 which included the iconic twin spires that still stand today and were named a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

This historic racetrack recently unveiled its most extensive renovation ever in its 150-year history ahead of the 2024 Kentucky Derby, seeing a complete re-design of the paddock area that has enhanced the visitor experience for every guest who enters the track.

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The Legacy of Black Jockeys

The first-ever jockey to win the Kentucky Derby was Oliver Lewis when he rode Aristides to victory in 1875. Lewis was one of eleven African American jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby between 1875 and 1902 before Jim Crow-era laws unfortunately pushed them from the sport. Jockey Isaac Murphy secured a spot in the history books with three wins during the late 1800’s, being the first to cross the finish line in 1884, 1890, and 1891.

Jockeys James “Soup” Perkins and Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton were both only 15 at the time of their victories, making them the youngest ever jockeys to win the prestigious race, a record they still hold over 100 years later. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum exhibit on Black Heritage in Racing to learn about black jockeys and horsemen, and how they have shaped the past, present and future of Thoroughbred racing.

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Dress to Impress

With nearly 175,000 spectators attending the Kentucky Derby annually, you could say it's one of the world’s best-attended fashion shows. Modelled after the Epsom Derby in the UK, Kentucky Derby fashion blends a hint of English sophistication with a heavy Southern influence with an array of brightly coloured attire appropriate for the Springtime event. For men, seersucker suits and bowties are commonplace among a variety of caps and fancy footwear. For women, it’s all about the hat.

Go big with an oversized hat complete with flowers or a bow, or for the more modern and conservative, you wouldn’t be out of place with a sleek fascinator. Don’t forget to wear pink the day before the Kentucky Derby, as Phillies race for the title of Kentucky Oaks champion.

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And remember, it’s Derby Day…Every Day

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