Whether you’re a veteran racing fan or oblivious to the sport, odds are you know about the Kentucky Derby. Held annually on the first Saturday in May, it is the oldest continuous sporting event in the United States.
From the extravagant hats and elegant ensembles to the copious amounts of betting, the Derby definitely has a brand of its own. That’s exactly what the race’s founder, Meriwether Lewis Clark, intended when he started the Derby in 1872.
Clark, the grandson of famous explorer William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame), was first inspired to bring a horse derby to America after a visit to Europe. While there, he attended the Earl of Derby’s Epsom Derby in England. Clark then set out to replicate a similar racing scene in the states as the leader of the Louisville Jockey Club. Clark’s uncles, John and Henry Churchill, helped him secure the funding to establish the club and to build a racetrack on property the Churchills owned just south of Louisville. Around 1883, the track earned the informal name of Churchill Downs, though it was not officially named until 1928.
GARLAND OF ROSES
symbols of Churchill Downs and its most famous race, the Kentucky Derby.Constructed in 1895, the Twin Spires were the creation of a 24-year-old draftsman, Joseph Dominic Baldez, who was asked to draw the blueprints for Churchill Downs’ new grandstand. Originally the plans did not include the Twin Spires atop Churchill Downs’ roofline, but as the young Baldez continued work on his design, he felt the structure needed something to give it a striking appearance.
Described as towers in the original drawing, the hexagonal spires exemplify late 19th century architecture, in which symmetry and balance took precedence over function. Although Baldez designed many other structures in Louisville, the Twin Spires remain as an everlasting monument to his memory.
MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME
In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment than when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Although there is no definitive history on the playing of the Stephen Foster ballad as a Derby Day tradition, it is believed to have originated in 1921 for the 47th running of the classic. The Louisville Courier-Journal in its May 8, 1921, edition reported, “To the strains of ‘My Old Kentucky Home,’ Kentuckians gave vent their delight. A report by the former Philadelphia Public Ledger provides evidence that 1930 may have been the first year the song was played as the horses were led to the post parade – “When the horses began to leave the paddock and the song ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ was coming from the radio, the cheering started.”
MINT JULEP
The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for
nearly a century. Early Times Kentucky Whisky has been privileged and honored to be a part of that tradition. n 1938, Churchill Downs noticed that patrons were taking decorated water glasses home. Rather than fight the trend, the track embraced it. The following year, the julep came in the first collector cups.
THE FASHIONS
The Kentucky Derby is more than a horse race. It is a mood, an excitement and an atmosphere that create a culture around the track. The events and clothing tied to that culture can be traced back to 1875. Many of the seasonal festivities historically kicked off with black-tie charity balls and a Derby Day hasn’t passed at the track without a celebration of festive hats.
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If you were invited to attend the Kentucky Derby, what type of outfit and hat would you wear?
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Coming this month!
An outlaw looking for a fresh start.
A schoolteacher who might hold the key to the entire town’s salvation.
Ash “Shotgun” McCrae can never make up for all the wrong he’s done. After leaving a notorious outlaw gang, he thought he’d discovered the peaceful existence he’d been looking for when he found work laying tracks for the railroad in Rivers Bend. Yet, when trouble shows up in town, he fears he may never free himself from the burden of his past.
Schoolteacher Kate Cummings stands as the one bright light in contrast to the curious looks and behind-the-glove whispers blowing through the town. The arrival of Padraic “Patch” Rooney and his gang challenges the small-town serenity she holds dear. Still, her steadfast trust in Ash awakens the strength of courage within them all, giving rise to the collective defiance against the approaching danger.
In a deadly game of dangerous outlaws and secret schemes, Kate and Ash must decide whether they are willing to risk everything for their love, including their lives.
Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.
A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness.
When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.
After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home.
It depends on where one is sitting. If in the stands, fancy dress and hat. Infield, not dressing up. I’ve been to Preakness in Baltimore, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Welcome, Denise. You make an excellent point. Heels and a fancy dress are probably not a good idea. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
I think something unique and very Southern. Either big and puffy or small and elegant.
Welcome, Ann. Being vertically challenged (under 5 feet tall), I stay away from big and puffy. Small and elegant is much more my style. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on P&P.
That’s a hard question to answer. I love looking at others’ fancy clothes and hats. The southern belle theme would be nice for me. Looking forward to watching the race on Saturday!
Welcome, Susan. As much as I love looking at the assortment of dresses and hats, I’d go for something simple but elegant. We’ll be watching the race from our VRBO in Pennsylvania. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I have always wanted to go to the Kentucky derby- just to be able to dress up and wear a big hat. I would choose something more classic than bold.
Welcome, Danielle. I would enjoy the experience also. And I agree about wearing something more classic than bold. Making a bold fashion statement isn’t for me! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
J.
Good morning Jo-Ann! I’m a daisy fan. So maybe a simple straw cowboy hat with yellow and white daisies. And no short dress for me either. Maybe a mid calf length spring dress. It would be fun. But, I wouldn’t want to stand out! LOL
Thank you for the history of the Kentucky Derby. I’ve not been, but my niece has. Looking forward to reading Ash! I’m enjoying this series tremendously!
Welcome, Tracy. I love your description of your daisy attire. I might wear a floral spring dress with my turquoise and brown cowboy boots…how fun would that be?! I’m so pleased you are enjoying the series. I will pass along your comments to the other authors. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
J.
I would love to go some day. I would wear a fancy dress and a huge hat.
Welcome, Debra. I hope you get a chance to go someday. I bet you’d be stunning in your fancy dress and stylish hat. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
J.
I don’t know what I would wear, probably something nice, but not super elegant. As for a hat probably something on the small side.
Welcome, Karijean. Readers are split on this question. Most prefer something stylish with a small hat. Yet, others favor the big hats with a fancy southern-style, puffy dress. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
J.
Something simple yet elegant, but not to over the top, a nice small hat
Welcome, Laura. I agree…a simple and elegant dress with a stylish hat makes a classic statement. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
J.
I wouldn’t go personally. But I would wear a vintage dress with beautiful beading classic and elegant look in the lovely color of mauve with simple high heels and a small hat with flower embellishment with a matching clutch
Something more tailored and classic, in both style and fabric, along with a small hat or hair accessory. Enjoyed the interesting history!
Welcome, Catherine. Readers are split on this question. Most prefer something stylish with a small hat. Yet, others favor the big hats with a fancy southern-style, puffy dress. I’m pleased you enjoyed reading about the history of the Derby. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
J.
I would probably wear one of my dresses that I already have,and my white hat that I already have as well.
Welcome, Bridgette. I can imagine how pretty you will look. Good for you having a party dress and hat for the Derby. Thanks for stopping by P&P to comment on the blog.
J.
I LOVE to watch this a remember watching when Secretariat won!!!
Welcome, Teresa. Wasn’t that exciting! When we lived in Maryland, our house was in Fair Hill, very close to many horse farms that bred and trained horses for the Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. They even had events where you could watch the horses go through their paces. We’ll be watching on Saturday. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
J.
I’d wear a cute dress and matching hat ;o)
Welcome, Lynn. …and I’m sure you’d look just fabulous! Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
I would wear a lacy white blouse and skirt with a straw hat.
Welcome, Barbara. White lace and a straw hat…how cute! Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment on the blog.
J.
I think I would have to watch from a far. I’m not really a dressy dress kind of girl. I like jeans or leggings and a t-shirt. Plus I don’t or can’t do hats, to constricting because of migraines. I hated the cap when I graduated, waiting until as last minute as possible to put it on & taking it off as soon as they gave the word.
Welcome, Joannie. I’m sorry to hear about your migraines, so watching from afar is a better plan for you. My friends suffer from them, so I understand what you are saying. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on the blog.
J.
A very elegant dress with a wide brimmed old fashioned hat to match.
Welcome, Anne. Your outfit sounds lovely, and I’m sure you’d be the belle of the Derby! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on the blog.
J.
I would wear a big unique hat that everyone would notice. Isn’t that the reason for wearing it that day?
I would wear a simple dress so as not to take away from the fancy looking hat.
I have attended the races in Del Mar on opening day and seen the gorgeous hats the women wear.
That should be on everyone’s bucket list-to attend the Derby
Welcome, Joye. You’re so right about the hat…women do want to be seen with the biggest hat! Perhaps one day I will have an opportunity to attend the Derby. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the blog.
J.
Knowing me, I wouldn’t be happy if I wasn’t wearing my jeans!! I have dresses that I wear on Sundays (when I don’t want to wear my jeans to church, though I do that, too!), that I would wear. I don’t do fancy and gussied up, as they say. I haven’t seen hats sold in stores in a long time, other than cowboy hats, so I’m not sure where I’d find a hat, not that I really want to wear one, though. A hat would just smush my curls down.
Welcome, Trudy. I love your answer! Getting gussied up (my mother used that term, also!) isn’t for everyone. Wear what makes you comfortable. And you’re right about the hats…other than seasonal hats for winter or to wear on the beach to keep the sun off your face, women just don’t wear them any longer. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the P&P blog.
J.
I would choose to wear a longer floral print dress (at least tea length), and a matching fancy embellished wide brim hat.
Welcome, Bridget. What a lovely vision you paint of a floral dress and fancy hat. Very Southern and very appropriate for the Derby. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
My hat would be a big wide brimmed one with lots of purple flowers and ribbons on it and I would wear a lavender colored outfit. My family and I usually go to the races at Santa Anita track the day after Christmas. It is a big deal then and always very nice weather to watch the races.
Welcome, Jackie. What a lovely vision you paint with your lavender dress and fancy hat decorated with purple flowers. Very Southern and very appropriate for the Derby. What a fun way to continue celebrating Christmas! Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
My grandmother was from Louisville, and went to the Kentucky Derby before. I don’t know what she wore, but would ware a wide brimmed soft pink hat with various shades of light and dark pink flowers within (not too gaudy though?). And a tea-length dress with a slight floral-print chiffon overlay that would complement the hat.
Welcome, Sabrina. What a lovely vision you paint of a floral dress and fancy hat. Very Southern and very appropriate for the Derby. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
I’m not one for wearing fancy dresses or hats, so I probably wouldn’t go.
Welcome, Connie. Getting gussied up–as my mother used to say–isn’t for everyone. Wear what makes you comfortable. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the blog.
J.
A lavender dress with a crinoline and a beautiful white cowboy hat.
Welcome, Ellie. Oh, how lovely that sounds! Very Southern and very appropriate for the Derby. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the P&P blog.
J.
I would wear a pretty summery floral black and baby blue mid length dress with a black wide rimmed hat with blue flowers and probably some cute black cowboy boots with some blue on them to match the flowers on my hat. Your book sounds like a great read. Have a great weekend.
Welcome, Alicia. What a lovely vision you paint of a floral dress and fancy hat trimmed with blue flowers…and I love the thoughts of cowboy boots! Very Southern and very appropriate for the Derby. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
I’d more than likely wear jeans and tee with baseball cap or a light dress and brimmed woven straw hat.
Welcome, Carrie. Wear what makes you comfortable. However, a light, summery dress and a brimmed straw hat paint a sweet picture. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the P&P blog.
J.
I would probably go Western with my jeans, boots and cowboy hat, but I would wear a fancy hat band with some flowers.
Welcome, Kim. Wear what makes you comfortable…especially if it is rainy, which so often happens in early May in the Louisville area. And I love the idea of a fancy hat band with flowers. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the blog.
J.
bright colored dress and hat
Welcome! You would be in good company with all the visitors at the Derby in your brightly colored dress and hat. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
I’d wear a pretty flowing dress and a nice hat, something with a wider brim to block the sunshine but not too big that you can’t see around it.
Welcome, Megan. Oh, how lovely that sounds! Very Southern and very appropriate for the Derby. A wide-brimmed hat is a smart idea to block the sun. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the P&P blog.
J.
I would probably wear a white summery dress and a wide brim hat with flowers
Welcome, Linda. You would be in good company with all the visitors at the Derby in your white dress and wide-brimmed hat. Very Southern and very appropriate. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
My sister in law did get invited to go this year and she ordered a new dress and some kind of special hat. I am not sure what it looked like. I would love to go to the Derby but not real sure on the dress up deal. I have lived in KY all of my life but have never been to the Derby.
Welcome. How lucky for your sister-in-law! I imagine most women purchase a new dress and hat for the occasion. I hope you’ll get to attend the Derby one day. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
I would wear a flowing dress similar to the one in the picture on the right in white with a design of pink and red roses on it. I would have a wide brimmed white hat with a cluster of roses matching those on the dress clustered on one side at the ribbon surrounding the hat. (Sorry, but the class of the event is lost in the dresses in the colored picture. The hats are nice.)
We visited Churchill Downs in May of last year while attending an Air Force reunion in Louisville. We ate in the VIP (loosely applied name) lounge and watched the races from that top section. There is a nice area set up on the ground level with a circuit with information about the track and its history. There are questions for the children, and adults, to answer, sort of a scavenger hunt. It was an interesting place to visit, and the area has so much to do. We also visited a couple of the horse farms and stables. I did not have a mint julep there. I did have one at The Oaks Plantation in Louisiana several years ago, and they are really good.
Thank you for sharing this information. It was a most interesting post. It would have been nice to know some of this before our trip.
Welcome, Patricia. What a great experience! I didn’t know Churchill Downs offered tours and events to the public. I bet the horse farms and stables were just as interesting, Since I love the taste of mint, I’ll have to try one in the future. Thanks for stopping by the P&P blog and commenting.
J.
I would wear an elegant hat and dress in royal blue.
Welcome, Cherie. You would be in good company with all the visitors at the Derby in your royal blue dress and hat. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting on the blog.
J.
Never been to Kentucky Derby but seeing what Janice Dean the weather Woman on Fox wears I’d say an elegant spring blouse and matchy skirt with matching hat or elegant dress with matching hat probably springy colors like pink, green, blue, purple, etc…
Considering it takes place in May in Kentucky, the fabric would be light (organza maybe) and the length to the knee or calf. A glorious cartwheel of a hat, a la Audrey Hepburn being Eliza Dolittle at Epsom Downs, would be the pinnacle of this outfit.
I would wear my jeans with a comfortable shirt and my pink cowboy hat given to me by my red hat friends.
I like to watch the Derby on tv for the fashions. I know that people say the Derby is the oldest race in the US but the Travers Stakes at Saratoga was first run in 1864. This year it will be run August 23. It too is often televised but doesn’t get the attention the Derby does.
I’d probably wear a nice dress, nothing too fancy but elegant. I don’t usually wear hats.