KENTUCKY DERBY 2025
MAY 2025 | LOUISVILLE | KENTUCKY
Whilst millions of horse racing fans worldwide tune in to watch one of the most televised race meetings in the sporting calendar, the live event is intense, compelling, and reserved for the privileged few, lucky enough to be able to tick off the quintessential bucket list event. The Derby circus will descend yet again on the world’s most legendary racetrack, the Churchill Downs for thrills, spills, and the inevitable electric bills with a weekend of high class racing somewhere in between. Kentucky will play host to the world’s elite thoroughbred racehorses; with all the glitz and glamour you would expect of the crown jewel in the North American sporting season. Soak up the exhilarating atmosphere of the greatest show on turf, whilst sampling the Mint Juleps, the twin spires, and garlands of roses, safe in the knowledge that the hospitality is guaranteed to be as warm as the weather.
Our Kentucky Derby Curation weekend builds on what is already the most intense, compelling, and unpredictable sporting weekend in the USA. We put you at the heart of the action as some of horse racing’s greats take to the track. Get up close and personal to past jockeys, owners and trainers as your celebrity hosts take you and your guests on a tour behind the scenes; offering insights into the history, traditions and key aspects of the weekends racing, for an unforgettable insider experience.
KENTUCKY DERBY CURATION EXPERIENCE
Our Derby 2024 Curation recognizes that there is more to attending the biggest show on turf than a simple ticket to Churchill Downs: it is a sporting festival, a tradition, a lifelong memory in the making. Your dedicated Curation Connoisseur will welcome you to downtown Kentucky where the hospitality and people are always sure to be as warm as the weather. Check in to your 5* hotel, then head out to sample one of the leading horse farms and home to the Darley thoroughbred stallions in the United States. Learn about the history of the farm as well as the scope of the international thoroughbred breeding and racing operation. Conclude your afternoon’s racing insight by heading outside to see the stallions, including previous Kentucky Derby winners. Let this unique culture experience supercharge the festival atmosphere which is sure to be building only a short gallop away.
The above is an outline of how we have curated the Kentucky Derby for our clients. We recognize that your needs are as unique as your business, therefore we invite you to challenge us to curate your perfect Kentucky Derby experience.
On the eve of the Oaks, soak up the atmosphere and relive your thoroughbred breeding and racing farm tours. You and your guests will be hosted at an exclusive “Derby” farm to table Southern dinner. The racing theme continues as you rub shoulders with racing legends as they put you in the saddle of horse racing’s absolute pinnacle; giving you insights into the rich history and traditions of the sport and what to look out for over the weekend. After a sumptuous dinner, allow your Curation Connoisseur to lead you onto that exclusive rooftop bar in downtown Kentucky to toast away the rest of the evening. Rub shoulders with some of racing’s most passionate fans whilst the excitement of the weekend really starts to build.
After a morning relaxing by the pool or having taken in some of downtown’s finest sites, your Curation Connoisseur will transfer you to Churchill Downs for your exclusive hospitality programme and day at the races. This exclusive venue will allow you and your guests to catch up and unwind with free-flowing cocktails from a fully stocked premium bar, with lunch providing a tour of some of the very best flavours that Southern cuisine has to offer. We bring you closer to the action as our trip directors and private wagering stations play host to your private ‘Oaks’ lunch.
As the racing start time draws nearer, you are only a short trot from the electric festival atmosphere building around Churchill Downs. Stroll to the paddock at your leisure or sit back and soak up the atmosphere whilst sipping on your Mint Julep and wait to be carried away by one of the greatest sporting spectacles on earth. Soak up the buzz of the various punters as the world’s great and good descend on this long-awaited American showcase. Be trackside well ahead of time as the atmosphere builds ahead of one of America’s flagship sporting events, sending millions of fanatical racegoers into a synchronized frenzy. Enjoy the all-encompassing experience as you create a lifelong memory you and your guests will never forget. In the evening, you will host your guests at one of downtowns finest culinary hotspots offering traditional recipes which epitomizes the wealth that nature has to offer in Louisville. Allow your Curation Connoisseur to open their little black book of contacts to lead you on a tour of some of Kentucky’s most exclusive nightlife. Take in cocktails with a panoramic view of the skyline or a table at some of the city’s best live music venues.
The familiar surrounds of the exclusive hospitality at Churchill Downs stages the exquisite ‘Derby’ day programme allowing you and your guests to fully immerse yourselves as the euphoria builds. Your Curation Connoisseur will host you and your guests taking care of your every need as you hobnob with royals and rub shoulders with other assorted fancy folk while watching some of the most thrilling thoroughbred racing action imaginable. A quick chat with your private tipster and you are once again rail-side at the heart of the action as some of racing’s greats take to the track for the big Derby with what is sure to be an unbelievable climax. Following your action packed day, soak up the atmosphere and relive the spectacles of your Derby experience as you continue to empty betting slips out of pockets! Sip signature cocktails and unwind as you and your guests indulge in the highest of haute cuisine whilst the excitement of the racing weekend draws to a close.
There is no better way to conclude your weekend than to sample the local Bourbon. Your Curation Connoisseur will lead you to Kentucky’ legendary distillery, home to some of the world finest crafted Bourbons. Learn and understand through a guided tour the secret recipes and the perfect natural mix producing the classic tastes and unique deep amber colours - a bottle that your clients will savour for years to come!
YOUR CURATION CONNOISSEUR
Our international network of passionate curation connoisseurs provide unrivalled local knowledge, armed with little black books full of numbers that unlocking the most exclusive access and hidden gems; making the impossible possible is what drives them. Challenge us to secure you access to ”the” red carpet event of the season, inside the ropes access to get you closer to your golfing icon, or a tactical pre Super Bowl briefing from an NFL legend.
CURATION BY MARCUS EVANS
With more than 30 offices around the world, our local presence in all regional markets connects us to the world’s most influential communities. These connections provide our clients with unparalleled privileges and access to many of the world’s invite-only events, as well as last minute availability to otherwise sold-out sports, cultural and entertainment events. Our track record of more than 35 years puts us in a unique position to unlock the incredibly emotive power of sports, culture and entertainment within our clients' business to deliver once in a lifetime experiences that live long in the memory of their most important clients.