Every year, on the first Saturday of May, the city of Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the stage for one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events: The Kentucky Derby. Often called “the Run of the Roses” or “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby is without a doubt a must-see event—even for non-horse racing fans.
Super Executive Services tailors and executes first-class itineraries for companies wishing to witness this event in style. We are an experienced sports marketing group specializing in catering to companies looking to wow their clients or reward their employees with all-inclusive packages to prestigious sporting events. From arrival to departure, our team of professionals goes above and beyond to provide premier corporate hospitality and entertainment.
Interested in learning more? Here is a brief introduction to the Derby—specifically, here are four reasons why the Kentucky Derby is one of the world’s most prestigious events.
The History
From elaborate hats to mint juleps to marching bands, the Derby is an event rich with traditions. The race first took place in 1875 when Meriwether Lewis Clark—the grandson of the famed William Clark from the Lewis and Clark expedition—formally organized the Louisville Jockey Club to hold the first Kentucky Derby. The event drew 10,000 spectators. Now, over 170,000 attend the annual race and roughly 16 million watch from home, as another horse and jockey are garlanded with a blanket of 554 roses and immortalized in horse racing history.
The Money
With the option to buy $1,000 mint juleps—don’t worry the proceeds go to charity—and $15,000 Mansion seats, it’s hard to not feel like you are among the elite. This feeling is further heightened by the hundreds of celebrities in attendance, many of whom fly in on private jets.
The Atmosphere
With a label like “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” you may think that all the Derby’s excitement is short-lived. However, this is far from the truth. The Kentucky Derby is actually a two-day event, and the days leading up to the race can be as equally as fun as the race itself. In addition to Oaks Day Friday, there is a plethora of other festivities rich with traditions and drinks—after all, Louisville is in the heart of Bourbon Country. The result of all of this is an atmosphere unlike anything else.
The Stakes
What would a horse race be if you could not bet on the horses? We do not know and do not really want to find out. The betting is a big part of the reason why the Kentucky Derby feels so prestigious and why it is so intriguing—the high stakes infuse the air with an almost palpable energy. In 2016, for example, $138 million was bet legally at the tracks and at outside betting outlets. With this much at stake, it’s hard to not feel like you are a part of something prestigious.
Ready to make your clients’ heads spin with a trip to the Kentucky Derby? Contact Superior Executive Services for package details, pricing, and unparalleled corporate event planning.
