LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 17, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- When Churchill Downs hosted the Kentucky Derby on
Saturday, May 4, it marked a
monumental event in sports and American culture as the historic
race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds was staged for the
150th consecutive year without interruption – a mark
unmatched by any other sporting event in the United States.
Fittingly, the memorable day was a record-breaking extravaganza
that will forever be cemented in history.
Mystik Dan claimed the $3.1
million winner's share of the record $5 million Kentucky Derby purse while prevailing
by a nose over Sierra Leone and
Japan's Forever Young (JPN) in the
closest three-horse photo finish in the history of the race,
eclipsing the 1947 renewal 77 years ago. Breaking from post No. 3
in the 20-horse Kentucky Derby starting gate at odds of 18-1,
Mystik Dan clocked the classic 1 ¼-mile distance in 2:03.34 over a
fast track under jockey Brian Hernandez
Jr.
Participation in Kentucky Derby 150 was unparalleled:
- A peak audience of 20.1 million fans (13% year-over-year
growth) from 174 global territories (33% year-over-year growth)
tuned in to watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC or Peacock.
Additionally, a jubilant crowd of nearly 157,000 spectators
attended the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
- All-time betting handle records were set for
Kentucky Derby Day at $320.5 million,
including an unprecedented $210.7
million on the Kentucky Derby itself.
- More than 20 partners activated on-site at Churchill Downs
including Brown-Forman's Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Herradura
Tequila and Finlandia Vodka; Longines; Ford Motor Company; SAP;
Sports Illustrated; The Unwell Network; Coca-Cola; vineyard vines;
Jackson Family Wines; PopCorners; Red
Bull; Q Mixers; Tractor Beverage Company; Boot Barn; US Army
Golden Knights; Aviator Nation; Radley
London; Brackish; Roots and Jones; Fanatics; and
TwinSpires.com, with more off-site or online partnerships.
- Social media engagements around the Kentucky Derby saw a 60%
increase with more than 177 million impressions across all handles
and platforms. A new partnership with Pinterest drove 43 million
impressions alone with the Derby Week takeover.
Kentucky Derby Week uniquely connected a wide range of fans from
bucket-list enthusiasts to adventure-seeking Gen Z with
experiential moments around every turn of the track.
The transformative $200 million
Paddock renovation included luxury hospitality offerings in the
Woodford Reserve Paddock Club which houses an underground tunnel to
the Paddock, and Sports Illustrated's Club SI which features horse
racing editorial coverage. Ford Motor Company partnered with The
Tonight Show and Jimmy Fallon
attending the Kentucky Derby, giving away a free Ford truck live on
NBC.
The Infield served as the stage for internet sensations and
UNWELL personalities, Alex Cooper
and Alix Earle's highly anticipated
conversation alongside fashion maven Zanna
Roberts Rassi.
In the Paddock Plaza, a number of bands and talent performed
throughout the weekend. Kentucky
native and five-time Grammy-winning country music icon Wynonna Judd paid homage to her home state
during an emotional rendition of the National Anthem, followed by
lifestyle icon Martha Stewart's
Riders Up command in the new Paddock.
For additional information about the Kentucky Derby, please
visit www.KentuckyDerby.com.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY
DERBY
The $5 million Kentucky Derby
takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill
Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds
is the longest continually-held major sporting event in
North America and the first leg of
horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as "The Run for the
Roses®" and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®," the
Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. Next
year, the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 3, 2025. For more information, please visit
www.KentuckyDerby.com.
ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK
Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT"), the world's most legendary
racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest
continually held annual sporting event in the United States since 1875. Located in
Louisville, CDRT features a series
of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks,
and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in
the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres
and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling
area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The
stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a
114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a
year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.
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SOURCE Churchill Downs Racetrack