Being one of the biggest horse racing events in the world, the Kentucky Derby obviously attracts many celebrities to witness the race. Even though most of them are not particularly horse racing fans, they choose to attend the Derby just because it is more than just a race.
It’s all about glamour, fashion, culture, and much more. Think of it like the Oscars for horse racing.
Often celebrities turn up in incredible outfits tailor-made just for the Kentucky Derby, attend the red carpet, and probably sip some mint juleps while cheering for the horse that they put money on.
This year’s Kentucky Derby was packed with celebrities, and in this article, we will highlight some of the biggest names that attended the incredible race. Make sure to tune in to the next Triple Crown race on May 17, since you can see these celebrities cheering for the Preakness Stakes contenders, which happens in Baltimore, Maryland.
Celebrities that Attended the 2023 Kentucky Derby
Jack Harlow, photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jack Harlow
One of the biggest names recently in the rap scene is Jack Harlow, who has been a big fan of the Kentucky Derby. One of the reasons why he is a big fan of the Kentucky Derby is maybe because he is a Louisville native rapper.
He even made a song called Churchill Downs featuring Drake, which was an instant hit.
On the red carpet, Jack Harlow made a peace sign, which wasn’t what most people thought. The peace sign was actually symbolizing the number 2, which was the horse (Two Phil’s) that he cheered for which ended up as a runner-up.
Patrick Mahomes
The Kentucky Derby is packed with athletes that appreciate the sport and come from the thrills of the race. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a regular in Kentucky Derby events this year was no different.
He turned up on the red carpet with his wife Brittany. Even though he was in the center of attention being a big football star, he didn’t choose to go overboard with his outfit.
Craig Greenberg
Since we are talking about the Kentucky Derby which is deeply embedded in Louisville history, we can expect some officials on the track, right?
Well, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also turned up at the event. But what caught the eye of the public is his suit jacket that featured patches related to horse racing and the history of the Kentucky Derby.
His jacked had a horse draped in roses, which symbolizes the tradition of the Kentucky Derby winner. However, the jacket wasn’t made by any designer. He said that his friend made this piece for him.
J.D. Shelburne
The Kentucky Derby and horse racing in general have something in common with horse racing. It is not a coincidence that there are many country songs about horse racing. That’s why we also saw a big country star J.D. Shelburne who wore an incredible outfit full of Kentucky Derby memorabilia.
He wore a classic white suit, but what made it stand out is the embroidered and sequined stole. This piece was covered in roses, and at the end of the scarf said “Kentucky Derby 149 and Run for the Roses”.
It is always great to see celebrities appreciate the tradition of the Kentucky Derby.
Chris Pine
This list wouldn’t be complete without a movie star, and fortunately, there were plenty of them attending the Kentucky Derby.
Chris Pine, the 42-year-old Star Trek actor, appeared sharp at the annual horse races at Churchill Downs. He paired a navy-colored tie with a pastel blue blazer, which he wore over an all-white outfit.
Final Words
This is only a small list of celebrities and big names that attended the Kentucky Derby 2023.
As the event grows even more, a lot of famous people want to attend the Kentucky Derby just because it is a sporting event that caught the eye of the public, not just for the race, but also for the fashion and glamour.