Fill Your Cup with the Derby Spirit

The coveted garland of roses that blankets the winning Kentucky Derby horse is a prestigious honor. It’s closely guarded, even getting a police escort into Churchill Downs.

It takes a lot of care, and a lot of Louisville Pure Tap®, to craft the signature piece. Each of the more than 400 roses in the Garland of Roses is placed in a vial that contains Pure Tap, preserving them for the champion Thoroughbred.

As with most Kentucky Derby symbols, there’s a story. Churchill Downs’ history shows the first published account of roses draped on the winning horse came in 1896. And in 1925, a New York sports columnist who later served as president of Churchill Downs, dubbed the race the “Run for the Roses.” A local florist shop owner designed the first Garland of Roses in 1932. Today, Kroger employees assemble the garland with “Freedom Roses.” The finished prize weighs 40 pounds and drapes the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Louisville Water is proud to supply water to the historic track, quench the thirst of horses and visitors, and keep the roses pristine for a prized three-year-old.