There are few more prestigious events in the world of horse racing than the Kentucky Derby.
The opening leg of the Triple Crown is a date in the social calendar for many lovers of sport, and that is no different when it comes to celebrities.
The day at Churchill Downs is regularly attended by the rich and famous, with celebrities aiming to achieve the same target as everybody else by pinpointing the winner of one of the world’s most exciting races. If you are watching the derby you can regularly listen to celebs trying to give their best free horse racing picks for today.
But, who are some of the celebrities that have been spotted at the Kentucky Derby throughout its 150-year history?
Patrick Mahomes
American Football superstar Patrick Mahomes was given the illustrious honor of making the ‘Riders Up’ call at the 2023 edition of the world’s most famous race. It marked a historic period for the legendary quarterback, as he had picked up the Super Bowl trophy just months earlier before attending the Derby at Churchill Downs.
Mahomes was dressed to the nines for the occasion, and he was joined on track by wide Brittany Mahomes. The 29-year-old is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, guiding the Kansas City Chiefs to the Super Bowl on four occasions. In doing so, he has become one of just five quarterbacks to have won the Super Bowl on three or more occasions. His Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift’s partner, was also seen on Churchill Downs last year.
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson was a poster girl for many during the 1990s, but her prominence in American culture remains as evident as ever in this modern day. Simpson was handed the honor of performing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ before the race in 2002.
She later attended the Derby for a second time in 2004 when filming alongside her then-husband Nick Lachey in their show ‘Newlyweds’. Simpson has been a household name throughout her career, selling millions of copies of her debut studio album ‘Sweet Kisses’ in 1999.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate horse racing fan throughout her time on the throne in the United Kingdom. However, her passion for the sport reached further than just racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Queen attended the Kentucky Derby on five occasions alongside Prince Philip during her reign, and she was revered for her time spent with fans. It was revealed after her visit in 2007 that the Queen spent over three hours at the track before the race, getting to know all the trainers, staff, and horses.
However, her most famous day on the track came in 2013, as a horse that she owned, Estimate, won the Ascot Gold Cup.
Kim Kardashian
The Kardashian family are prominent visitors to Churchill Downs for the biggest social event on the horse racing calendar. Kim rose to fame in the early 2000s after a leaked tape made international headlines.
She has continued to be a cultural star in her own right, starring in Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and launching a number of business ventures alongside her sister Khloe. Kim was in attendance for the 2009 Derby, bringing her mother Kris Jenner as her plus one for a luxurious day at the track.
That renewal of the race remains one of the most memorable, with Mine That Bird winning by the longest winning margin in over 60 years, despite being sent off as the 50/1 outsider in the field.
Jack Harlow
There are arguably few more passionate celebrity racing fans in the United States than Jack Harlow.
The U.S. rapper rose to fame in 2020 with the release of ‘Whats Poppin’, before he received a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Rap Performance category. His mainstream has continued in recent years, releasing hit songs such as ‘First Class’ and ‘Lovin On Me’.
However, his passion for racing was born at a young age after being born in the Louisville region. Harlow’s passion was transcended in his work in 2022, when he released a music video for ‘Churchill Downs’, which featured achieve footage of the Derby.
Lauren Conrad
Lauren Conrad is another famous face that has passed through the gates, as she attended the Kentucky Derby in 2013. However, the American star later revealed that despite enjoying a good day out, she didn’t back a single winner.
Conrad rose to fame in late 2004 after being cast in Laguna Beach, but her big break came in her own spin-off series ‘The Hills’. The show ran for six seasons between 2006 and 2009, and she would later achieve further success after releasing her own brand of clothing and a number of books.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, but in 2006, she decided to swap the court for the track and enjoyed a day of high-quality racing on Derby day.
Williams is one of the most recognizable stars in the world of sport, winning a staggering 23 women’s Grand Slam titles during her career. She is also the only player in the sport to have achieved a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles competition.
