Kentucky Derby Museum

Katrina Helmer has been named the new Director of Communications at the Kentucky Derby Museum, taking over from Rachel Collier Carr. As Communications Director, Katrina is thrilled to be part of the creative team that will drive the Museum's messaging and storytelling for the historic Derby 150 and beyond. "Katrina has done a stellar job with our Communications platform since coming to Kentucky Derby Museum," said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO. "She was a natural fit for the Director position, and we are excited about her bright...

Thomas Lambert, an applied economist at the University of Louisville's College of Business, wasn't quite sure if he could trust the dollar amounts that were routinely cited regarding the impact of the GI Kentucky Derby on the region's economy. So he took on the task of finding out for himself, and has just published the results in a study titled, "Horse Sense or Horse Hype? Estimating the True Economic Impact of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby on the Louisville Metro Area." Lambert started by noting that the results of...

The new, immersive Secretariat: America's Horse exhibit at the Kentucky Derby Museum is now open to the public in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the chestnut's historic Derby win and Triple Crown sweep. The exhibit, sponsored by Longines, shows Secretariat from all aspects of his greatness; from his impact as a celebrity in the hearts of so many to his incredible athleticism. State-of-the-art technology inside the exhibit allows for guests to visualize what made Secretariat a remarkable horse--from his unbelievably large heart, to extra muscle, and more. A variety...

The tickets are on sale for the Apr. 20 Kentucky Derby Museum's Secretariat Bourbon Dinner, presented by Fifth Third Bank. Guests at this launch party will have several opportunities, including being the first to explore the new exhibit, Secretariat: America's Horse, before it opens to the public Apr. 21. At the dinner, guests will view never-before-seen video of Secretariat's connections. Along with a seated dinner, guests will enjoy a pour of the rare Double Double Oaked Woodford Reserve, while learning from Woodford Reserve Master Distillers Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall....

The Kentucky Derby Museum is building a brand new exhibit dedicated to Secretariat, which will open to the public ahead of the 149th running of the GI Kentucky Derby. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's historic Derby win and Triple Crown sweep. The exhibit, Secretariat: America's Horse, is designed to showcase Secretariat's life, stardom, and incomparable impact on horse racing, America, and the world. "Kentucky Derby Museum is thrilled to honor Secretariat in such a unique way with this brand new exhibit," said Pat Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum...

The Legends Series returns to Kentucky Derby Museum for its 10th year. It offers three nights of conversation with pioneers and titans of the bourbon industry. Each evening features a different Bourbon Master who hand-picks a selection of bourbon tastings. Each night in the series is hosted by Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Fred Minnick. He is the Museum's own Bourbon Authority and a bourbon curator and tasting expert. Each event is on a Thursday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Jan. 19 - Featured Bourbon:...

The Kentucky Derby Museum has added three new members to its Board of Directors: Business First publisher Lisa Benson, philanthropist Rhonda Jo Conner, and attorney Craig C. Dilger. "The Kentucky Derby Museum is fortunate to add three impressive and accomplished minds on its Board of Directors," said chair Glenn Haygood. "I'm excited to see our new members bring a fresh perspective to the table as the museum prepares for two big milestones--the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's Derby win in 2023 and the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby in 2024."...

Nathan Perdue continues his mission to prolong his 3-year-old son Wyatt Perdue's life with the help of his personal collection of rare bourbons and the Kentucky Derby Museum. This year, the raffle has been expanded to include three prizes valued at more than $58,000. Only 6,000 tickets will be sold, at $100 per ticket. Wyatt Perdue is living with cystic fibrosis. In 2021, his father, Nathan Perdue, approached the Kentucky Derby Museum with the idea of raffling off his prized Pappy collection, in hopes that teaming up would bring more...

The Kentucky Derby Museum Stable re-opens Friday at 10 a.m. after a two-year closure due to COVID-19. It will also be the first look at the Museum's new miniature horse and Resident Thoroughbred. The Museum will also announce the name of the mini horse from its naming contest.

Thanks to the support of Hermitage Farm in Goshen, KY, the Kentucky Derby Museum's Education Center has undergone its first makeover in more than 20 years. Work started on the 2200-square foot space in November, and included new paint, carpet, exhibit cases and more. "The Museum is grateful to Hermitage Farm for helping us create a fresh, vibrant space where thousands of children will learn about the Kentucky Derby for years to come," said Patrick Armstrong, President & CEO of the Museum. "Hermitage Farm is helping us fulfill our mission...

Lily Swan, a junior at Mercy Academy in Louisville, has been named the Grand Prize winner of the 36th annual Horsing Around With Art competition, presented by WinStar Farm. The Grand Prize is awarded to the artist whose work best captures the spirit of the Kentucky Derby. Swan's artwork, entitled 'The Bath,' shows Rock Your World receiving a bath after a workout over the Churchill Downs main track. This is the artist's first oil painting. Students from grades 1-12 in Louisville Metro public, private and parochial schools were eligible to...

Visitors can explore the wild stories and unique culture of the GI Kentucky Derby at a new exhibit, Welcome to Derbyville, opening Nov. 19 at Kentucky Derby Museum. The exhibit was born from the idea that most years on Derby Day, Churchill Downs transforms into the state's third-largest city, drawing its temporary residents into a remarkable cultural experience that is unique to other sporting events. The horses, the people-watching, the fashion--this new exhibit explores this 147-acre city, Derbyville, and who comes to stay and why. The unique culture of the...