Welcome to the Kentucky Derby, one of the most illustrious events in the horse racing world and an annual celebration of speed, elegance, and tradition. If terms like “run for the roses,” “my old Kentucky home,” and “twin spires” make your heart race faster than the steeds galloping down the track, you’re among friends here in this digital paddock. This year’s Kentucky Derby promises extra thrills as the event celebrates its 150th anniversary on May 4.
Before the 2024 running of the “greatest two minutes in sports” unfolds, let’s take a moment to understand the millinery on display, the vibrant culture of the Bluegrass State, and all the history that comes with the spectacle that is the Kentucky Derby!
Run for The Roses: History and Tradition
The Kentucky Derby, begun in 1875, stands as the oldest continuously held major sports event in the United States. The top three-year-old thoroughbreds gather here to run the first race of the Triple Crown and many horses, riders, and owners attempt to carve their name in history.
The Twin Spires, an iconic architectural feature of Churchill Downs, lend an aura of majesty to the already regal setting. Each year, on the first Saturday in May, the sound of hooves thunder around the 1.25-mile oval and the tales of the Kentucky Derby are replete with stories of grit and greatness. The garland of red roses, bestowed upon the Derby victor, is a fragrant and colorful reward of speed and spirit.
Derby Culture
The Kentucky Derby is more than just a two-minute race; it’s an annual cultural phenomenon filled with food, music, and festivity. From the soulful rendition of My Old Kentucky Home to the mint juleps drinkers smiling for the paparazzi, the Derby is a sensory adventure. The aromas of Southern cuisine drift through the air; people mingle from every corner of the globe; and the air is heavy with a shared love of horses and history. The cultural significance of the Derby extends beyond Kentucky, influencing art, literature, and American identity.
The Style Stakes: A Runway at the Rails
The Kentucky Derby exemplifies Southern charm and elegance, and where there’s a prestigious event, there’s impeccable dress to match. The centerpiece of Derby fashion is the hat—a tradition that goes back to the race’s beginnings. These hats are not just protection from the sun, they’re statement-making. Whether it’s a towering showstopper adorned with feathers, a dainty fascinator, or a wide-brimmed sun catcher, Derby ensemble isn’t complete without a hat that turns heads and attracts the camera.
Walking the grounds of Churchill Downs is akin to a high-society gala—where you’ll find a rainbow of pastel suits and extravagant dresses. The traditional attire, replete with seersucker suits, linen dresses, and the quintessential mint julep in hand, paints a picture of timeless elegance and revelry.
The First Jewel in the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown, a feat achieved when a horse wins the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in a single year, is the Everest of American horse racing. Despite the Derby’s pageantry, it’s just the first step in a potential three-part epic. Throughout the three races, viewers will often witness a battle between speed and endurance, with some horses bred for sprinting taking on the classic distance, while others, built for stamina, may surprise with an explosive burst of speed. It’s this very drama that mesmerizes millions of onlookers.
The Preakness, with its black-eyed Susans and infield revelry, offers a contrast in atmosphere with its more compact field and shorter distance. But it is the Belmont, the Test of the Champion, that separates the Triple Crown aspirants from the pretenders, with its grueling 1.5-mile oval.
Only thirteen horses in the history of American thoroughbred racing have captured the Triple Crown, the last being Justify in 2018. It’s this history that makes the Kentucky Derby more than a mere race. Every Derby winner carries with them the potential for Triple Crown greatness and the haunting specter of Secretariat, who ran each leg in record time.
Win, Place, Show
Who will be the talk of the Kentucky Derby this year? When the bell rings and the field charges forth, the early frontrunners often make for a safe bet, but the Derby is also known for its upsets and unexpected victors. It’s a day where fortune favors the bold—and sometimes—just the lucky.
As the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby plays out, we invite you to join us in raising a toast to the horses and the fashion, the jockeys in the irons, and the owners in their boxes who make the first Saturday of May a thrilling moment in sport every year.
