Oaks News

The Kentucky Derby has existed for 133 years, but many of the traditions involved are timeless. “My Old Kentucky Home” is one in particular.

“It never ceases to bring a tear to my eye,” says Kent Taylor, Sports Anchor for WAVE-TV, “when Churchill Downs plays the song as the horses leave the paddock for the Derby, it works every time!”

Jay Privman, National Correspondent for Daily Racing Form, also comments “I've been to every Derby since 1982, but I still get goose bumps when the horses come on the track and they play that song.”  

It is traditions like these that keep the Derby spirit flowing through the years. As Fred Cowgill, WLKY Sports Anchor states “I've loved the horses since riding on my grandmother's ranch in Texas in the 60's.  I would dream I was a Kentucky Derby Jockey even though at 8-years-old I was already too big.  My favorite tradition is the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home" during the post parade.  I sang it watching on TV long before I moved to Louisville in 1986.  In my first Derby live (1987 Alysheba) I really surprised myself and choked up hard when I started to sing it, because now this was my old Kentucky home.  And that's why it has been for the last 21 years.  And will be for as long as Louisville will have me.”

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