Athletes, influencers and actors flocked to Sports Illustrated’s star-studded Revel at the Races party, which returned for its third year on Kentucky Derby Eve.
Inside the Ice House in downtown Louisville, headliner and global dance music icon Tiësto blasted club tracks as attendees flooded the dance floor. Guests filtered between white couches and onlookers observed the dancing from a balcony above as a remix of Calum Scott’s “Dancing on My Own” rang over the speakers. Content creators paused to film outfit videos, with some in glitzy gowns and heels and others looking as if they just left Churchill Downs.
Among the crowd was a crew of familiar athletes, including Nate Burleson, former NFL wide receiver and co-host of “CBS Mornings” who is a special guest of Sports Illustrated. Kentucky Wildcats turned Buffalo Bills Deone Walker and Maxwell Hairston also made an appearance in their alma mater’s state, as did the NFL’s Andrew East and Alex Bachman. Influencers such as Corinne and Damien Broderick made an early appearance, and “Suits” actress Gina Torres stopped by after the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala for the second year in a row.
Celebrities who walked the carpet — black, not red for this Sports Illustrated party — were split between the horse racing and Churchill’s iconic fashion as their primary draw to Derby.
Burleson, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, said seeing the outfits was the highlight of his experience.
“I’m a former football player, TV host and anchor, but I love fashion,” he said. “Even when I show up on TV, seeing how people decide to present themselves to the world.”
For Walker and Hairston, the aim is winning money, though their pick for today’s winner was yet to be decided. “Trust the process,” they said.
“You just got to have that type of aura, right?” Walker said. “The way the horses walk, the way the jockey rides.”
Matthew Berry, the celebrated fantasy football commentator, said he’s paying attention to Chief Wallabee and Emerging Market for the final sprint to the roses. But for his final pick, Berry’s in search of some good karma.
“I’m betting on the Puma because I’m not betting against Taylor Swift. I don’t want that karma in my life,” Berry said. Rumors have swirled over the last few days that Swift and her fiance Travis Kelce are part-owners of the Puma. Kelce attended the Derby in 2024 and bought part ownership of a horse named Swift Delivery. The Puma then scratched from the 2026 Kentucky Derby early on the morning of May 2.
The immense tradition that plays out each year at the Derby also stood out to celebrity partygoers.
East, a former professional football player who calls Indiana his home state, said the Derby was a little like the Indianapolis 500, another famed racing event, for its “notorious infield” and the fast-paced viewing experience. But more than the speed of the horse race, he’s conscious of its 152-year legacy.
“Just to be a part of the tradition and the history of it is really exciting,” East said. “… You’re going to watch it every year, so to go one year and get the in-person experience is really special.”
For the son of Penny Chenery, the owner of Triple Crowning winning legend Secretariat, that tradition is more personal. John Tweedy Jr. said the glitz and glamor of the Derby has changed since his mother’s time. But what hasn’t changed is the horses.
“It’s surreal,” Tweedy said on the black carpet. “I’ve got memories of 53 years ago.”
His son, Marcus Tweedy, will attend the Derby for the first time on Saturday.
“While obviously I didn’t grow up in Secretariat times, that story has always been part of my life and part of my family, so it’s cool to commune with that,” he said.
Kathryn Muchnick covers children and education. Reach her at [email protected].
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