Ford's
Expanded Presence to Include First Turn Club Naming Rights and New
On-Site Experiences
LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 19,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Churchill Downs Racetrack
("Churchill Downs") today announced a partnership renewal with
Ford as the exclusive automotive
partner of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve,
reinforcing a longstanding relationship between two iconic American
brands. Under the renewed agreement, Ford will be granted exclusivity in the
automotive category and an expanded footprint with interactive
vehicle displays to promote fan interaction and immersive brand
experiences to supplement the excitement of Derby Week and
beyond.
As part of the multi-year agreement, running through 2029,
Ford will expand its on-site
footprint to include the naming of the First Turn Club, a premium
hospitality space originally debuted in 2023 overlooking the famed
first turn of the racetrack. The popular location will now
officially be called the Ford First Turn Club, offering guests a
distinctive race-day experience with prime views and upscale
amenities. Additionally, Ford will
activate exclusive luxury vehicle displays and brand-new
Ford-themed fan experiences at key
areas around the track, including the Paddock Plaza and VIP Gate,
ensuring high-profile brand visibility to attendees throughout
Derby Week.
"Churchill Downs is thrilled to continue building our
relationship with Ford Motor Company as an Official Partner of the
Kentucky Derby and to expand our collaboration in exciting new
ways," said Casey Ramage, vice
president of marketing and partnerships at Churchill Downs
Racetrack. "The Kentucky Derby is built on tradition and
long-standing partnerships, and Ford's commitment to excellence and innovation
aligns perfectly with the spirit of this exceptional event. We look
forward to continuing to work together to deliver an unforgettable
experience for Derby fans and guests."
Ford will maintain the existing
sponsorship of key Derby and Oaks activations not limited to:
branding inclusion on the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate, presenting
sponsorship of the Churchill Downs Barn Area, entitlement of a
Derby Day race sponsorship, exclusive digital content and
year-round vehicle displays at Churchill Downs.
"At Ford our mission is to create tangible impacts on the
communities where we work and serve," said Phil O'Connor, director of global marketing
communications – Ford Blue and Model e at Ford Motor Company.
"Ford has a deep connection with
the Louisville community. Our
Louisville-based manufacturing
facilities employ roughly 12,000 Kentuckians. Our heritage of
capability, passion and innovation make our friends at Churchill
Downs Racetrack ideal partners. We're excited for this next chapter
in our partnership and honored to continue supporting the bluegrass
state."
The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby will take
place on Saturday, May 3, 2025. For
more information on the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, visit
kentuckyderby.com.
About the Kentucky Derby
The $5
million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in
May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the
legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the
longest continually held major sporting event in the United States and the first leg of horse
racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, "The Run for the
Roses®" and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®," the
Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. The
151st Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Tickets for the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on
May 2-3 are available by visiting
www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com or by
calling (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary
Kentucky Derby yet.
About Churchill Downs Racetrack
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 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. www.ChurchillDowns.com.
About Ford
Ford Motor
Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build
a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their
dreams. The company's Ford+ plan for growth and value
creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and
always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for
customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative,
must-have Ford trucks, sport
utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected
services. The company does that through three
customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering
iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing
breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that
defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford
Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their
businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their
needs. Additionally, Ford
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. Ford employs about
175,000 people worldwide. More information about the company
and its products and services is available at
corporate.ford.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-named-exclusive-automotive-partner-of-the-kentucky-derby-in-multi-year-partnership-extension-302405894.html
SOURCE Churchill Downs Racetrack