Does anything embody “party” quite like “The Kentucky Derby”? Just say it out loud. What pops in your head? Bougie outfits. Bourbon. Big fancy hats. Bourbon. Elegance. Mint Juleps (with Bourbon). A day of leisure and decadence and gambling and perhaps trackside raucous. Powered by Bourbon…In short, a GOOD TIME. The ultimate good time.
But it’s more than that. It’s essentially America’s first celebrated annual tailgate event. Take that college football and NFL. The Kentucky Derby is officially the longest, continually held sporting event in America. It’s globally iconic. It’s America’s original SUPER BOWL of sporting events. An excuse for us all to get together, get gussied up, enjoy food together, imbibe together (Kentucky Bourbon cough cough). There’s nothing more symbolic of Kentucky than its prized dynamic duo – BOURBON & THE KENTUCKY DERBY.
150th Birthday Dinner Tribute Extravaganza: April 11th
A very special milestone lies ahead for the first Saturday in May at the iconic Twin Spires “CHURCHHILL DOWNS” in Louisville. It is the Kentucky Derby 150th Anniversary. Now there’s some pressure afoot. How do you celebrate something so significant for an event that is already at the pinnacle of Mount Entertainment?
The Kentucky Derby Museum (KDM) has a firm grasp on delivering for such a daunting task. On April 11th, the KDM is hosting a very special evening honoring legendary horseman D. Wayne Lukas. The highlights are below, notice an all to appropriate usage of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon in a toast led by legendary Master Distillery Chris Morris.
EVENT TICKETS: CLICK HERE
Event Highlights
- The April 11th Derby 150 Birthday Tribute Dinner will occur entirely at the museum in the newly renovated Oaks Terrace.
- TICKETED EVENT: $250 p/person
- Guests will be welcomed with an Old Forester® cocktail and dinner.
- To top it all off, guests will be treated to a rare pour of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon and led to a toast by Chris Morris.
- Guests will also have the first opportunity to premier the new Down the Stretch Film and experience the Museum’s new Riders Up interactive exhibit before it opens to the public
- Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase a bottle from the 2023 KDM’s Private Barrel Selection of Old Forester – a limited quantity of bottles will be available for sale.
- Special Guest: Legendary Horse Trainer D. Wayne Lukas
About Legendary D. Wayne Lukas
The Kentucky Derby Museum is proud to announce that legendary horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas will be the recipient of the first-ever Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious award will be presented to Lukas at the Derby 150 Birthday Tribute Dinner, scheduled for April 11, 2024.
D. Wayne Lukas, a titan in the world of horse racing, has left an indelible mark on the sport. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Lukas has achieved remarkable success, including four Kentucky Derby victories, six Preakness Stakes victories, and four Belmont Stakes victories. His unparalleled dedication to the sport and influence on countless individuals in the racing community make him a deserving recipient of the Museum’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.
In response to the announcement, Lukas shared his appreciation, saying, “I am deeply honored to receive the Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible horses and talented individuals. Looking back, I get the greatest satisfaction from seeing the young people, who have been with me through thick and thin, come through our program and achieve their own great successes. The Kentucky Derby Museum has been instrumental in documenting and sharing the joy of racing with the world, and I extend my sincere thanks to the Museum for this prestigious honor.”
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