Bring out your hats and get ready to sip on a mint julep, the Kentucky Derby is coming up! It is the longest sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875, it is the most exciting two minutes in sports, uninterrupted. The derby consists of twenty, three-year-old thoroughbred horses racing at a distance of one and one-quarter miles long, and it is run on the dirt racetrack at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The twenty horses racing in the Kentucky Derby must first compete in a series of thirty-five races taking place at tracks across the country and the world. Points are awarded to the top four horses that finish in each of those races, and the twenty horses with the most points earn a spot in the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby race. The Kentucky Derby winning purse is two million dollars. This grand sporting event was founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark whom attended the Epsom Derby in England and was inspired so much by his travels and experiences that he became determined to create the spectacle of horse racing events in the US. There is a variety of tickets and packages throughout the weekend, which you can check out here.

When and Where The Kentucky Derby Takes Place?

You can make your way to Louisville or tune in from home to watch the weekend events. The Kentucky Derby is held on the first weekend of May each year, which will begin from May 2nd to May 4th. To tune in to watch from the US, turn on your television and go to NBCSN. If you are tuning in from the UK then you can watch with a Sky TV or Virgin Media subscription. You can also tune in on live streams online.

What to Drink at the Kentucky Derby?

Whilst at the Kentucky Derby you must not miss out on the iconic drink that goes hand-in-hand with the event, Mint Juleps. The two main ingredients are Old Forester bourbon and mint. It has become the official drink of the event for almost a century after its grand debut in the 1930’s. People have been celebrating the event all of these years with one in hand so make your way to Kentucky and join in on all of the fun!

Whale Recommendations on What to Wear at the Kentucky Derby

Either make an outfit to go with your hat or make it the other way around! Vineyard Vines is the official style of the event and has created a line of dresses specifically tailored to the Kentucky Derby. For ladies, if your hat is busy in patterns, keep the dress design simple or if your hat is simple, keep the outfit simple and classy. However, if you are going for a funky look, keep your it consistent and accent the hat! Christine A. Moore Millinery makes chic headpieces from hand-made straw discs and fabrics with hand-cut-silk flowers that are tie-dyed, hand-painted and sewn on, topped with feathers and netting and secured to your head via a comb or headband, which are to die for! For the gentlemen attending the event, the Kentucky Derby is the perfect excuse to get dressed up and decked out! The classic, modern Derby man possesses an unparalleled colour palette. Tropical colours in bold stripes or busy plaid and bright pastels are the way to go, but for a more classic look you can go with a navy blazer, which is always in, make sure you touch it with a colourful bowtie!

Whale Recommendations on The Must Go To Events During the Kentucky Derby

Two events you cannot miss out on whilst attending the Kentucky Derby is the Lilies Cocktail Reception on May 3rd from 7:30pm to 11:30pm at the Kentucky Derby Museum. It is a lovely night spent in the newly owned expansion of the museum to kick off the weekend with gourmet food, a premium open bar, and Derby Experiences Gifts. There is also the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala at the Galt House Hotel from 7:00pm until 1:30am with Dance Party admittance beginning at 10:00pm. It is a night of Southern grace, glamour and charm at its finest during the eighth annual gala. It is one of the most anticipated black tie events of the year for Louisville lovers and celebrities. You could possibly make your way to both events if you plan your evening accordingly

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