Top 2025 Kentucky Derby highlights: fashion, stars & fun

The 151st Kentucky Derby thrilled fans with its unique blend of racing, vibrant fashion, celebrity appearances and rain-soaked festivities.

Sovereignty’s win in front of more than 147,000 fans topped a day filled with bold hats, custom suits, and handmade dresses — many with personal stories, such as a patchwork hoop dress and a Nigerian-made fascinator.

The party atmosphere stayed lively despite the weather, with music, Mint Juleps and signature foods like bratwurst and frozen cheesecake on a stick. Celebrities such as Guy Fieri and Simone Biles added star power on the red carpet, while fans reveled in Kentucky traditions and the Derby’s global draw, making memories at what many call the "best party in the world."

Oscar Tshiebwe, Alix Earle and Guy Fieri made appearances on the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. By Matthew Mueller

NO. 1: SEE CELEBRITIES, ATHLETES WALK THE 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY RED CARPET

Former University of Kentucky athletes, Gov. Andy Beshear and celebrity chef Guy Fieri all made appearances on the red carpet Saturday. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Monica Kast

Garey Faulkner, a roofer from Cincinnati, has been coming to the Derby for a decade. He claimed third place at the 2019 World Beard and Mustache Championship held in Belgium, and has multiple other national titles. By Ed Marlowe

NO. 2: THE MANE ATTRACTION: WORLD BEARD CHAMPION CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AT KENTUCKY DERBY

Despite having a more-than-12-inch-long green beard, that wasn’t Garey Faulkner’s most intriguing accessory Saturday. Faulkner makes his own Derby hat — and they’re real head-turners. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kendall Staton

Columbia, South America native Collin Smith on the left, laughs with friends from college before the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Smith flew in for it, and for he and his cadre, it was their first time to the race. By Ed Marlowe

NO. 3: SOUTH AMERICAN MAN CALLS KENTUCKY DERBY ‘A COOL PIECE OF AMERICANA’

The man raved about the Kentucky Derby, but he had some choice words for mint julep. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kendall Staton

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is almost finished building his roster for the 2025-26 season. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 4: KENTUCKY BASKETBALL COACH MARK POPE IS AT THE 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY

For the second straight year, UK basketball coach Mark Pope is at the Kentucky Derby. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

Bright clothing and fascinators brightened up a rainy 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 3, 2025. By Amy Wallot

NO. 5: SEE THE BEST OF 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY FASHION: SUITS, HATS AND DRESSES

Catch all the best styles the Kentucky Derby has to offer at Churchill Downs. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Acquisto

Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up (18), left, celebrates after winning the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. By Dexter Simms

NO. 6: OUR BEST PHOTOS, VIDEOS FROM KY DERBY 2025: SOVEREIGNTY’S WIN, FASHION, CELEBRITIES

Relive all the pageantry and spectacle of the 2025 Kentucky Derby with our best photos and videos from Churchill Downs. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story

The mint julep has served as an official, celebrated Kentucky Derby tradition for more than 80 years.

NO. 7: HERE WERE THE BEST FOOD AND DRINK EXPERIENCES AT THE 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY

What was good to eat and drink at the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs? | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Caroline Makauskas

Kesha Johnson wore a blue, gold and silver hat from a Nigerian milliner during Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs May 3, 2025. By Amy Wallot

NO. 8: COSTLY, HAND-ME-DOWNS & SENTIMENTAL: KY DERBY HATS COME IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES

A dreary and damp 151st Kentucky Derby didn’t mute the colorful outfits Saturday. Some were expensive, others nostalgic, but each has a story. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Acquisto

Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com managing editor Alex Valentine was a first-time Kentucky Derby attendee for the 151st running of the race Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs. By Monica Kast

NO. 9: SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM A FIRST-TIME KENTUCKY DERBY ATTENDEE

Herald-Leader managing editor Alex Valentine shares some thoughts from his first Kentucky Derby. | Published May 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Valentine

Kentucky Derby hopeful Journalism gallops at Churchill Downs on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

NO. 10: UNITED NATIONS: HERE’S WHY JOURNALISM SHOULD BE CELEBRATED ON DERBY DAY

Looking for another reason to bet for Journalism at the Kentucky Derby? It’s World Press Freedom Day, as declared by the United Nations in 1993. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Richard Green

Three friends — Michael Freeze, Curtis Paplik and John James — decided it was best to dress as jockeys and hang out in the infield for the 151st Kentucky Derby, held May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The trio have combined for more than 20 visits to a Run For The Roses. By Ed Marlowe

NO. 11: DESPITE RAINY WEATHER, KENTUCKY DERBY IS THE ‘BEST PARTY IN THE WORLD’

When you think of jockey silks at the Kentucky Derby, you usually picture them on a rider atop of a horse. But this year, you could find a group of friends wearing them, wandering the infield. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kendall Staton

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.