Riders Up!

New Riders Up! Exhibit

The exhibit underwent a $1 million upgrade to include cutting-edge technology for the immersive jockey simulator, allowing guests to experience what it's like to ride in the Derby.

The Museum originally built the Riders Up! exhibit in 2000 as a way to immerse visitors in the Derby and race day experience from the viewpoint of a jockey and Thoroughbred racehorse. The game was last updated in 2010 during a previous Museum expansion project. With significant changes in virtual and augmented reality since then, the new version promises to captivate visitors with state-of-the-art technology that brings the thrill of horse racing into the 21st century.

Some of the upgraded Riders Up! features include:

  • Five Horse Frenzy: The new field includes five horses, one of which is wheelchair accessible.
  • Personalize Your Derby: For the first time, players will be able to choose their horse and jockey avatar.
  • Time-Travel Track: Experience Derby through the decades. Visitors will race in different eras circa 1875, 1915, 1945, 1986, or the current day, all while navigating unpredictable weather conditions for a wild, thrilling ride. The eras and weather will be randomized, providing an educational journey through the history of the Kentucky Derby.
  • The exhibit will continue to be included in the price of general admission.