Kentucky Derby Museum
Kentucky Derby Museum
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 3, 2025) — The Kentucky Derby Museum invites the community to celebrate the magic of Derby season early with the return of Derby in December on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The free event, hosted in partnership with the Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky Derby Festival, and Churchill Downs Racetrack, promises a full day of festive fun and special unveilings. Throughout the day, guests can also enter drawings for exclusive prize packages featuring unforgettable Derby-themed experiences.
A highlight of this year’s celebration will be the presentation of the museum’s second Lifetime Achievement Award to Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, followed by a meet-and-greet and the unveiling of a new temporary exhibit honoring his extraordinary career. Known for his record-breaking success and lasting impact on the sport, Day’s recognition highlights the museum’s commitment to honoring Derby legends.
“We are honored to present Pat Day with our Lifetime Achievement Award this year,” said Pat Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum. “His remarkable career, integrity, and enduring connection to the sport embody the very best of what the Derby stands for. This event is our way of celebrating both his legacy and the passion that keeps Derby traditions alive year-round.”
Adding to the excitement, the Kentucky Derby Festival will help kick off the upcoming Festival season with the reveal of the 2026 Pegasus Pin. Plus, the 25th running of the Humana Marathon will be celebrated with an exclusive discount for the 2026 races. Guests can also purchase tickets to their favorite Festival events, score unique giveaways, and soak up Festival vibes throughout the day.
“There’s nothing quite like the energy of Derby season, and we’re excited to share the Kentucky Derby Festival spirit all year long,” said Matt Gibson, President and CEO of Kentucky Derby Festival. “Derby in December is where the countdown begins, and we invite everyone to join us for this special celebration.”
Churchill Downs will bring the thrill of Derby Week to the celebration with activities inspired by the track’s popular themed days, from Opening Night fashion to 502’sDay and Thurby traditions. Guests can enjoy photo opportunities with the Kentucky Derby trophy and a garland replica crafted by Kroger. Plus, visitors can enter to win 2026 Derby Week tickets and meet Churchill Charlie.
“While the Kentucky Derby is annually staged on the first Saturday in May, the mystique of the Run for the Roses is on the minds of the Churchill Downs family 365 days a year,” said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We are thrilled to join in celebrating a special Derby in December with our fantastic partners at the Kentucky Derby Museum and Kentucky Derby Festival.”
Now in its third year, Derby in December has become a beloved Louisville tradition, offering locals and visitors the chance to celebrate the Derby spirit long before May. Guests will enjoy free admission, shopping with the museum’s Featured Milliners, and complimentary gifts and treats for the first attendees while supplies last. Visitors are encouraged to dress in their Derby best and share their looks and memories using #DerbyInDecember on social media.
MEDIA NOTE:
A press conference will be held the morning of December 11 for the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. A media advisory will be distributed ahead of the event. For interview requests or coverage opportunities, contact Katrina Helmer at khelmer@derbymuseum.org.
# # #
Patrick Alan "Pat" Day, born in Brush, Colorado on October 13, 1953, is a retired American jockey. He is a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1991.
Growing up in Colorado, Day envisioned becoming a rodeo cowboy. His dream of making a living riding horses came true, but not as he might have expected. Day instead turned to racehorses and rode his first winner in 1973 at Prescott Downs in Arizona, putting him on track to becoming one of America’s most accomplished riders of all time.
Day established numerous records while based in Kentucky, where he became the all-time leading rider at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland. Day rode in the Kentucky Derby 21 consecutive times, and 22 times total during his career, winning the race in 1992 aboard Lil E. Tee. He is the all-time leading rider at Churchill Downs with 2,482 career wins, 156 career stakes wins and 34 riding titles at the track.
Day retired in 2005 at the age of 51 with 8,803 career wins. After retirement, Day became involved with the organization Race Track Chaplaincy of America, visiting racetracks across the country to share stories about his career and faith. Over the years, Day has become an avid supporter of Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky Derby Festival, and Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby Museum, where visitors can celebrate Derby every day, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity organization located next to Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Ky. The museum’s mission is to engage, educate, and excite everyone about the extraordinary experience that is the Kentucky Derby®. Kentucky Derby Museum is one of the region’s premier attractions, welcoming over 255,000 visitors annually from across the U.S. and around the world. With a general admission ticket, visitors can experience two floors of interactive exhibits, a 30-minute guided track visit of Churchill Downs, and the museum’s signature 360° movie, “The Greatest Race.” The museum also offers exclusive specialty tours, the Derby Museum Store, the Derby Museum Café & Bourbon Bar, and several event spaces for rent.
Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of the Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility.
2026 marks the 71st year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration packed with 70+ events leading up to the first Saturday in May. As an independent community organization, it’s supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $200 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
