The first Saturday in May means it’s time for the Kentucky Derby, one of horse racing’s grandest events of all time.
Accordingly, there are no shortage of luminaries that have attended the race at Churchill Downs through the years. Oftentimes, it’s a group of teammates that go together, similar to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in 2019. Last year, Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, were among the big names to be in attendance.
The 152nd edition in 2026 will surely have more of the same top athletes taking in the race. However, before it’s time for the “Greatest Two Minutes In Sports,” here’s a look back at notable names who have taken in the Kentucky Derby in the past.
Biles and her husband, now a safety for the Indianapolis Colts, took in the Derby with matching purple outfits.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer opted for a classic newsboy cap with a double-breasted jacket.
The former Green Bay Packers and New York Jets teammates attended the Barnstable Brown Gala alongside Jimmy Graham (second left), AJ Hawk (right) and David Bakhtiari (front left), among others.
The three-time Super Bowl champion wore a plaid jacket and shades to the Derby with his wife, Brittany.
Manning rocked a jacket with colors similar to those of the Denver Broncos, where he spent his final four seasons.
Brady and Amendola posed alongside their former Patriots coach, with Belichick’s former partner, Linda Holliday, also posing.
Legendary Alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn documented her Derby experience by taking a picture with her phone.
The former LSU gymnast had a polka-dot look at Churchill Downs.
Russell went for sleek button up and no jacket alongside his fiancée, Laura Ivaniukas.
The Hall of Fame running back’s jacket included special photos on the inside of it.
Colors were on point for the record 23-time Olympic gold medalist and his wife, Nicole Johnson.
The WWE superstars came dressed to impress at Churchill Downs.
Then a junior at Kentucky, Levis rocked a tie with colors similar to that of the Wildcats’ blue.
Mayfield sported a beard with his future wife, Emily.
Two Boston sports legends made sure to snap a photo together at Churchill Downs.
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2013 U.S. Open winner Justin Rose took in the Derby with his wife, Kate.