2015 Tour

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Arrive at the Crowne Plaza Louisville to ‘goodie bags’ welcoming our tour members. This evening, we are off to the Kentucky Derby Trainers Dinner. Art Sherman, the 2014 winning trainer receives an award and the 2015 Derby trainers talk about their horses. Bob Baffert attended after a few years absence.

: Tour Itinerary in Lobby

: Goodie Bag in Hotel Room

: Kentucky Derby Tours Claire Gilbert with Trainer Art Sherman and his son Alan at 2015 Trainers Dinner

: Cocktail Party Trainers Dinner

: Cocktail Party at Trainers Dinner

: Trainers tables

: Tables at Dinner

: More tables at Dinner

: Call to the Post

: Art Sherman, trainer of California Chrome honored

: D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert talking Derby

: Trainer D. Wayne Likas

: Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear

: Trainer Todd Pletcher

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

VIP Churchill Downs backstretch tour with breakfast, visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum, Gallop to Glory exhibit and lunch with jockey Mike Smith at the Galt House, tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum and ‘The Great Steamboat Race’ down to the Ohio River including dinner and 4 Roses Bourbon tasting.

: Churchill Downs backside for breakfast

: Post Time Kitchen at Churchill Downs

: Walking through the barn areas

: Horses heading to the track

: Ready to go to the track

: American Pharoah ready for a morning workout

: Trainer Bob Baffert going to the track

: Oaks and Derby horses to the track

: Derby contender Firing Line on the track

: Kentucky Oaks winner Lovely Maria workout

: Dortmond on how a Derby contender gets a bath

: Trainer Carl Nafzgar’s barn

: Barbaro Statue

: Paddock at Churchill Downs

: Churchill Downs before

: Jockey Mike Smith stops by our lunch

: Jockey Mike Smith

: Louisville Slugger Museum

: Bats on display

: Bar on Star of Cincinnati

: Dancing on the deck

: Ready for the Steamboat Race

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Morning workouts at Keeneland Race Course, bronzes at Thoroughbred Park, Kentucky Horse Park, lunch at Spindletop Hall with Debbie Blair of the Secretariat Foundation, visit to Coolmore Ashford Stud Farm to see two Kentucky Derby winners – Thunder Gulch and Fusaichi Pegasus (now also home of 2015 Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah) followed by a tour with bourbon tasting at Woodford Reserve Distillery.

: Keeneland backside breakfast

: Cafeteria style

: Keeneland walking ring

: Morning workouts at Keeneland

: More workouts

: Breeders’ Cup Trophy

: Thoroughbred Park

: Bluegrass Countryside

: Kentucky Horse Park

: Horse Park fountain

: Spindletop Hall lunch

: Secretariat Foundation’s Debbie Blair

: Spindletop Hall grounds

: Entering Coolmore Ashford Stud

: Thunder Gulch winner 1995 Kentucky Derby

: Fusaichi Pegasus winner 2000 Kentucky Derby

: Giant’s Causeway

: View from Woodford Reserve’s porch

: Bourbon barrels

: Woodford Reserve tour

: Distillery info

: Bourbon tasting time!

Friday, May 1, 2015

Kentucky Oaks breakfast buffet with Turf writer Billy Reed, Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs with the sights of Kentucky Oaks Day including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Optional evening party is ‘Unbridled Eve’.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

2015 Kentucky Derby Days at Churchill Downs — There is so much excitement on Derby Day and we have access to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

: Allison (left) with a $1000 Mint Julep at Churchill Downs (a benefit for horse rescue)

: Photo by Cindy Pierson Dulay

Sunday, May 3, 2015

The day after the Kentucky Derby on the backside of Churchill Downs started off slowly while American Pharoah had his bath. Then the crowds and press appeared as did trainer Bob Baffert. You could tell that American Pharoah knew he won the Kentucky Derby! Then over to the Kentucky Derby Museum to look in the freezer at the garland of roses that had been part of the festivities in the Winners Circle yesterday. The owners were deciding what they would do with the garland.

: Garland in freezer at Kentucky Derby Museum

2014 Tour

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Arrive at the Crowne Plaza Louisville to ‘goodie bags’ welcoming our tour members. This evening, we are off to the Kentucky Derby Trainers Dinner. The 2013 winning trainer receives an award and the 2014 Derby trainers talk about their horses. Trainer Art Sherman was right!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

VIP Churchill Downs backstretch tour with breakfast, visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum, Gallop to Glory exhibit and lunch at the Galt House, tour of 4 Roses distillery and ‘The Great Steamboat Race’ down to the Ohio River including dinner and 4 Roses Bourbon tasting.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Morning workouts at Keeneland Race Course, visit to Darley Farm, visit to Three Chimneys, stop at Hill ‘n Dale Farm, Kentucky Horse Park, lunch at Spindletop Hall, visit to foals at Claybank Farm, downtown Lexington, Thoroughbred Park, and Woodford Reserve Distillery.

: Kentucky Derby Tour members visiting Darley Farm

Friday, May 2, 2014

Kentucky Oaks breakfast buffet with Turf writer Billy Reed, Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs with the sights of Kentucky Oaks Day including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Optional evening parties include the ‘Julep Ball’ and ‘Unbridled Eve’.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

2014 Kentucky Derby Days at Churchill Downs — There is so much excitement on Derby Day and we have access to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Sunday, May 4, 2014 and Monday, May 5, 2014

The day after the Kentucky Derby on the backside of Churchill Downs was electric with people visiting California Chrome. A special treat on Monday — the connections of California Chrome passed out the beautiful roses from Chrome’s Derby blanket to Kentucky Derby Museum patrons. Next, we checked out the large wallpaper of KDT’s founder Ruth Pyle (lower right) on the Museum’s wall.

2013 Tour

Tuesday, April 30, 2013, Day 1

Arrival at the Hotel and our Derby week started with Governor Steve Bershear welcoming us to the Kentucky Derby Trainers Dinner saying, “I want to welcome you all to the greatest week of Thoroughbred racing in the world”.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013, Day 2

VIP Churchill Downs backstretch tour with breakfast, visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum, Gallop to Glory exhibit and lunch at the Galt House, The Great Steamboat Race down the Ohio River including dinner and 4 Roses Bourbon tasting.

Thursday, May 2, 2013, Day 3

Morning workouts at Keeneland Race Course, visit to historic Claiborne Farm, visit to Rosecrest Farm (small bed and breakfast farm that raised Kentucky Derby contender Goldencents), Kentucky Horse Park, downtown Lexington, lunch at Spindletop Hall, Thoroughbred Park, visit with tour of legendary Calumet Farm, and Woodford Reserve Distillery.

Friday, May 3, 2013, Day 4

Kentucky Oaks breakfast buffet, Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs with the sights of Kentucky Oaks Day including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Optional evening parties include ‘Julep Ball’ and ‘Unbridled Eve’.

Saturday, May 4, 2013, Day 5

Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs with all the tradition and pageantry plus access to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

2012 Tour

Tuesday, May 1, 2012, Day 1

Arrival in Louisville and Kentucky Derby Trainers Dinner.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012, Day 2

VIP Churchill Downs backstretch tour with breakfast, visit to Kentucky Derby Museum, lunch at the Galt House, visit to the Gallop to Glory Exhibit, visit to the Four Roses Bourbon Warehouse and Bottling Facility, and Zappos.com shoe outlet (afternoon Golf option available).

Thursday, May 3, 2012, Day 3

Visits to Darley Farm, Claiborne Farm, lunch at Spindletop Hall. Afternoon visits to the Kentucky Horse Park, downtown Lexington Thoroughbred Park, Keeneland Race Course, and Woodford Reserve.

Friday, May 4, 2012, Day 4

Kentucky Oaks breakfast buffet, Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs – the sights of Kentucky Oaks Day including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Optional evening parties include ‘Julep Ball’ and ‘Unbridled Eve’.

Saturday, May 5, 2012, Day 5

Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs – the sights including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Optional evening party ‘One night of’.

Sunday, May 6, 2012, Day 6

The day after the Kentucky Derby on the backside of Churchill Downs visiting with I’ll Have Another. Also photos of Hollywood Park’s farewell for I’ll Have Another on July 16.

2011 Tour

Tuesday, May 3, 2011, Day 1

Arrival in Louisville and Welcome Reception

Wednesday, May 4, 2011, Day 2

VIP Churchill Downs backstretch tour with breakfast, visit to Louisville Slugger Museum, lunch Galt House, visit the Gallop to Glory Exhibit, visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum

Friday, May 6, 2011, Day 4

Kentucky Oaks breakfast buffet, Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs – the sights of Kentucky Oaks Day including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Saturday, May 6, 2011, Day 5

Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs – the sights including access to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Sunday, May 7, 2011, Day 6

The day after the Kentucky Derby in Louisville

2010 Tour

“Welcome to Louisville” Cocktail Party

1981 Kentucky Derby winning jockey Jorge Velasquez posing with his Kentucky Derby trophy at our Welcome Reception.

Day 2

VIP tour of the Backside of Churchill Downs and breakfast at the Bluegrass Trackside Kitchen

More Day 2

Gallop to Glory Ceremony followed by lunch at the Galt House Hotel
Kentucky Derby winning jockeys Jorge Velasquez (1981 Pleasant Colony) and Ron Franklin (1979 Spectacular Bid) add their handprints to the exhibit. They both joined out Tour this year.

More Day 2

Kentucky Derby Museum

: Wall mural currently on display at Kentucky Derby Museum of Kentucky Derby Junketeers circa 1965

The Kentucky Derby Museum closed in August, 2009 due to flooding and reopened just days before Derby. A junketeer noticed a black and white wall mural (20 feet by 10 feet) with the name ‘R. S. Dempsey’ and asked if it was a relative. There was Kentucky Derby Junket founder, Ruth Dempsey in the lower right of the photo. The Museum staff did not realize it was the Dempsey family until we told them – their Museum Designer picked out the photo from their archives.

Day 3

Keeneland Race Course morning workouts, Lexington and Thoroughbred Park

More Day 3

Lunch at Spindletop Hall and the Kentucky Horse Park

More Day 3

Gainesway Farm, Coolmore American Farm and Labrot & Graham Distillery

Day 4

Kentucky Oaks attire

More Day 4

Kentucky Oaks Brunch

Day 5

Kentucky Derby attire

More Day 5

136th Kentucky Derby

Celebrities of the 2010 Derby

2009 Tour

“Welcome to Louisville” Cocktail Party

Gustavo Avila, winning jockey of the 1971 Kentucky Derby aboard Canonero II with his wife Carmen, daughter Jennifer and grandson Miguel who joined our Tour this year. Gustavo added his handprints to the ‘Gallop to Glory’ exhibit on Wednesday of Kentucky Derby week.

Day 2

VIP Tour of the Backside of Churchill Downs and breakfast at Wagner’s Trackside Kitchen

More Day 2

Gallop to Glory Ceremony followed by lunch at the Galt House Hotel

More Day 2

Kentucky Horse Park, Funny Cide, Cigar and Alysheba Memorial

Day 3

Darley America Farm and Three Chimneys Farm

More Day 3

Lunch at Spindletop Hall with jockeys Gustavo Avila (1971 Kentucky Derby Canonero II) and Bill Boland (1950 Kentucky Derby Middleground)

More Day 3

Lexington, Thoroughbred Park, and Keeneland Race Course

Day 4

Kentucky Oaks Brunch featuring Eclipse Award winner Billy Reed

Day 5

Kentucky Oaks attire

After Win

Jane Dempsey’s photos of Mine That Bird the day after his Kentucky Derby win

2009 Celebrities

2008 Tour

“Welcome to Louisville” Cocktail Party

Dave Erb, winning jockey of the 1956 Kentucky Derby aboard Needles and Braulio Baeza, winning jockey of the 1963 Kentucky Derby aboard Chateaugay pose with a Kentucky Derby trophy. Both jockeys joined our Kentucky Derby Tour this year added their handprints to the ‘Gallop to Glory’ exhibit on Wednesday of Kentucky Derby week.

Day 2

VIP Tour of the backside of Churchill Downs and breakfast at Wagner’s Trackside Kitchen

More Day 2

GALLOP TO GLORY CEREMONY followed by lunch at the Galt House and a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum

Day 3

Claiborne Farm, Clay Bank Farm and Three Chimneys Farm

More Day 3

Lunch at Spindletop Hall with Jockeys Bill Boland (1950 Kentucky Derby Middleground), Dave Erb (1956 Kentucky Derby Needles) and Braulio Baeza (1963 Kentucky Derby Chateaugay) and the Kentucky Horse Park

More Day 3

Lexington Thoroughbred Park and Keeneland Race Course

Day 4

2008 Kentucky Oaks Brunch featuring turfwriter Billy Reed

More Day 4

2008 Kentucky Oaks attire

Day 5

Kentucky Derby attire

More Day 5

The 134th Kentucky Derby

After Day 5

Jane Dempsey’s photos of Big Brown the day after his Kentucky Derby win

Racing Celebrities

2008 Racing Celebrities

2007 Tour

“Welcome to Louisville” Cocktail Party

Ray York winning jockey of the 1954 Kentucky Derby aboard Determined and William “Bill” Boland, winning jockey of the 1950 Kentucky Derby aboard Middleground joined our Kentucky Derby Tour this year. Both jockeys added their handprints to the ‘Gallop to Glory’ exhibit on Wednesday of Kentucky Derby week.

Day 2

VIP Tour of the backside of Churchill Downs and breakfast at Wagner’s Track Kitchen followed by a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum

Day 3

Claiborne Farm and The Kentucky Horse Park

More Day 3

Lunch at Spindletop Hall with a look back at the 1950 and 1954 Kentucky Derbys and Thoroughbred Park

More Day 3

Darley Stud Farm and Keeneland Race Course

Day 4

2007 Kentucky Oaks Brunch featuring turfwriter Billy Reed

More Day 4

2007 Kentucky Oaks attire and race

More Day 4 – The Mint Jubilee Gala

Some Junketeers attended the 11th Annual Mint Jubilee on Oaks night. The silent auction helps support The Permanent Disabled Jockeys Fund. The Fund received a wonderful donation when Jockey Edgar Prado donated the saddle he used to win the Kentucky Derby with Barbaro as a silent auction item. The guests of honor are the jockeys riding in the Derby as well as many Kentucky Derby winning jockeys (Bill Boland and Ray York from our Junket attended.)

Day 5

2007 Kentucky Derby attire

More Day 5 – The 133rd Kentucky Derby

This year Eclipse award-winning photographer Cindy Pierson-Dulay joined our Junket and is sharing with us her wonderful photos of the 2007 Kentucky Derby.

After Win

Jane Dempsey’s Photos of Street Sense the day after his Kentucky Derby win!

Racing Celebrities

2007 Derby Racing Celebrities

2006 Tour

“Welcome to Louisville” Cocktail Party

Ira “Babe” Hanford, winning jockey of the 1936 Kentucky Derby aboard Bold Venture and John Sellers, winning jockey of the 1961 Kentucky Derby aboard Carry Back joined our Kentucky Derby Tour this year. Both jockeys added their handprints to the ‘Gallop to Glory’ exhibit on Wednesday of Kentucky Derby week. The older brother of “Babe” Hanford, Carl Hanford also joined out Tour this year. Carl was the trainer of 5 time Horse of the Year Kelso.

Day 2

VIP tour of the backside of Churchill Downs and breakfast at the Kentucky Derby Museum

More Day 2

Gallop to Glory Ceremony

More Day 2

A look back at the 1961 Kentucky Derby, Adena Springs Farm, and Woodford Reserve Distillery

On our drive to Adena Springs Farm, we watched a replay of the 1961 Kentucky Derby. John Sellers, who rode Carry Back talked about his Kentucky Derby winning ride and answered questions. He is pictured above next to Carry Back’s grave at the Kentucky Derby Museum and arriving at Adena Springs Farm.

Day 3

Claiborne Farm, a look back at the 1936 Kentucky Derby and lunch at Spindletop Hall

More Day 3

WinStar Farm, Kentucky Horse Park, Thoroughbred Park and Keeneland Race Course

Day 4

Kentucky Oaks Champagne Brunch featuring turfwriter Billy Reed

More Day 4

Kentucky Oaks Day attire

More Day 4 – The Mint Jubilee Gala Fundraiser

Some Junketeers attended the 10th Annual Mint Jubilee on Oaks night. (Tickets sold out in January for this event!) Proceeds benefit cancer research and services in Louisville. The silent auction also helps support The Disabled Jockeys Fund. The guests of honor are the jockeys riding in the Derby as well as many Kentucky Derby winning jockeys.