Kentucky Derby joins with three new
sponsors
Churchill Downs Racetrack on Wednesday announced three new partners for the
upcoming $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby, the historic track’s signature
race and one of the country’s major sports and entertainment events.
Under the new partnership agreements, Moët & Chandon Champagne, one of the
world’s most iconic brands, will introduce the all new “Moët & Chandon Toast to
the Kentucky Derby” which will take place during the festivities preceding the
running of the race. Moët, the author of iconic celebratory traditions such as
champagne sabering, the champagne pyramid and the champagne spray, will continue
the celebratory tradition at Churchill Downs with a toast as fans raise their
glasses to the Kentucky Derby.
BLUE04, the first and completely natural oxygenated enhanced water, will
infuse a creative theme into the Kentucky Derby “Blue Room” (formerly known as
the “Green Room”), where celebrities will refresh themselves after walking the
Red Carpet.
SandRidge Energy is the presenting sponsor of the celebratory “Kentucky Derby
Winner’s Party” immediately following the race. This invitation only event is
the finale of the historic race day as the winning owner, trainer, jockey and
government officials gather to toast another successful running of the Kentucky
Derby.
“Churchill Downs is very pleased to welcome these brands into our stable of
fine sponsors,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Our
partnerships make it possible for us to continue to extend and refine the many
exciting events that surround the Kentucky Derby, a great American tradition and
a springtime weekend-long sports party known and loved around the world.”
The Kentucky Derby, scheduled for Saturday, May 5, is a 1 1/4-mile classic
for three-year old Thoroughbreds and the first leg of the prestigious and
popular Triple Crown series. A record 164,858 fans attended the Derby last year
and an additional 14.5 million viewed it on NBC Sports.
“Moët & Chandon is pleased to be entering its inaugural year as partner of
the Kentucky Derby,” said Ludovic du Plessis, vice president of Moët & Chandon
USA. “It is with great pride that we look forward to starting a new tradition
with the ‘Moët & Chandon Toast to the Kentucky Derby.'”
“We are honored to be a part of the 138th Kentucky Derby and see this as a
great opportunity to build the BLUE04 brand,” said Dave Hardat, Managing
Partner, BLUE04. “Hydration is critical to peak athletic performance and what
better place to showcase the benefits of hydrating with BLUE04 than the greatest
two minutes in sports.”
“SandRidge Energy is proud to partner with a storied American tradition like
the Kentucky Derby,” said Greg Dewey, vice president of Communications. “The
Derby has long stood as a symbol of hard work, determination and performance,
all things that we hold dear at SandRidge.”