Kentucky Derby Museum

Kentucky Derby Museum
Map
Established1985 (1985)
LocationChurchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
CollectionsThoroughbred horse racing
Websitewww.derbymuseum.org

The Kentucky Derby Museum is an American Thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Dedicated to preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby, it first opened its doors to the public in the spring of 1985. Much of its early funding came from a donation from the estate of James Graham Brown.

The museum consists of two floors of exhibit space, including a 360-degree theater that shows the HD film The Greatest Race. Through the film and exhibits, visitors can learn what goes into the breeding and training of a young foal and the path it takes to the Kentucky Derby's winner circle. Every Kentucky Derby win is honored in the Warner L. Jones Time Machine, where visitors can watch any Kentucky Derby from 1918 to the present day. Exhibits highlight the stories of owners, trainers and jockeys as well as the importance of African American jockeys and trainers to the race and the Thoroughbred industry. Guided tours of Churchill Downs' barn and infield areas, jockeys' quarters, "millionaires row" and press box are also offered. Exhibits were designed by Bruce Burdick's San Francisco design firm The Burdick Group.[1]

  1. ^ Kamuf, R (2000). "Workers near home stretch in derby museum renovation". Business First. 16: 6.