Visiting Churchill Downs

A few weeks ago the Kentucky Derby celebrated its 150th anniversary race. The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May. I have never been to the race, but two weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Churchill Downs with an attraction group that our company is a part of. Churchill Downs is where the Kentucky Derby takes place.

One of the perks of my job is getting to visit other tourism attractions. When we do, we get to meet with a lot of their front line people. It is a great way to share information and experience the different ways in which different places do things. If you missed my post about spending a few days in Louisville Kentucky check it out here

The Kentucky Derby was held on May 4th of this year. As I mentioned this was the 150th anniversary of this very special race. I hadn’t really thought much about the race but now that I have been to the track I would love to see an actual race.

Our group got into town on Sunday May 5th. There was still lots of decorations and festivities going on but most were starting to die down by Sunday afternoon. Tuesday May 7th was our day to explore several places and get a behind the scenes tour. Churchill Downs was first on the agenda.

We arrived at Churchill Downs and went through a gate leading us to one of the training areas. We were met by an older gentlemen who told us that, first of all we weren’t supposed to get in the way, so we didn’t. Second, watch out for the horses and respect the trainers and our surroundings, we did. We felt so fortunate to have this opportunity I think we would have walked on our hands if he had told us to. Of course I knew we weren’t going to be able to see any of the thoroughbreds. What we were able to see was some of the up and coming future hopefuls of the Kentucky Derby maybe 2025, 2026, 2027.

Even though we arrived by 9:00 AM the stables were already hopping. Our guide, who was amazing, told us that the trainers arrive around 5:00 AM to start working the horses. They work them for hours and then do a 45 minute to 1 hour cool-down. Most of the trainers live onsite for several months out of each year.

When I closed my eyes I could almost hear the thundering of the hooves and the cheering of the crowd. These horses are trained for this moment, it can be an awesome, exciting and heart breaking moment for many.

The Kentucky Derby winner for this year was Mystic Dan. He won by a nose!! He barely beat out Sierra Leone and Forever Young. This is the 26th time that the Kentucky Derby has been decided by the length of a neck or less. The Kentucky Derby is commonly referred to as the “most exciting two minutes in sports’ because that’s normally how long it lasts. It is 1& 1/4 miles long or 2,200 yards. Mystic Dan came out of stall number 3.

We were able to stand in the stalls. It was very exciting thinking about Mystic Dan being there just 48 hours or so before and getting ready to run the race of a life time.

Of course I had to stand in the stall where Mystic Dan stood it was very exciting!!!!

Some of the information in the Museum:

We were also able to watch a clip of the derby. I have to tell you that our tour guide was the most amazing man. He truly loved horses. He told us that when he was a young boy he would come to the stables early in the morning and watch the horses being led through their daily training routines. He would muck out the stalls or do whatever he could just to be around them. He said that when he came to the Derby he liked to stay behind the scenes and watch the horses come out. He said he had only sat in the stands one time.

What an exciting visit. I never thought much about the Derby but now I think I would like to go and experience the race. Maybe I should add that to my bucket list.

Always remember

Love your day your way!!!!!