Derby News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 28, 2005) - The 2006 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands will mark the launching of a new tradition for the historic race as Churchill Downs will present the winning owner, trainer and jockey with special rings that commemorate their success in the famed "Run for the Roses."

The historic track hopes that the rings will become a coveted part of Derby tradition, much like the championship rings that are worn by team members and coaches of championship teams in the National Football League's Super Bowl, Major League Baseball's World Series, or the National Basketball Association's championship playoff.

"The introduction of the winner's rings begins a Kentucky Derby tradition that we hope will become as familiar as the mint julep and the solid gold Derby trophy itself," said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs. "While the Derby trophy is something to proudly display in the home, the new Kentucky Derby winner's ring will allow our victorious owner, trainer and jockey to celebrate - wherever they go - their success in a race that is clearly one of the world's most coveted, demanding and elusive championship events."

The collegiate-style rings are made of white and yellow gold with a black onyx stone in the center. The ring features a white gold horseshoe facing upward that sits on the stone, while two 15-point diamonds weighing one-third of a carat are inset on the horseshoe. A small replica of the Kentucky winner's trophy sits in the middle of the horseshoe.

Both sides of the Kentucky Derby Winner's ring will be personalized for the wearer. One side will feature the famed Twin Spires, as well as the name of the winning horse and the name "Churchill Downs." The other side will bear the last name of the individual, their connection to the winning horse (owner, trainer, jockey), and a Derby rose.

The top of the ring - known as a bezel - can be removed and turned into a pendant for those would prefer a necklace to a ring. MTM Recognition of Princeton, Illinois is producing the ring, and each ring has a retail value of $2,000. Connections of past Derby winners that wish to acquire rings commemorating their victories in the "Run for the Roses" will be able to order from the manufacturer at cost. Churchill Downs will pay for all costs associated with this year's inaugural Derby rings and future ring sets.

The winner's rings will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey in the Kentucky Derby winner's circle following the race during ceremonies in which the winning parties accept their Derby trophies. As in the case of the trophies, the rings will not be engraved. They will be collected after that ceremony for engraving and the engraved rings will be presented to their winning owner, jockey and trainer at a later date.

« Back To Derby News

Derby Info