{"id":2399050,"date":"2026-05-02T11:56:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T11:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2399050"},"modified":"2026-05-02T11:56:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T11:56:12","slug":"stars-shine-at-2026-unbridled-eve-derby-gala-in-downtown-louisville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/stars-shine-at-2026-unbridled-eve-derby-gala-in-downtown-louisville\/","title":{"rendered":"Stars shine at 2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala in downtown Louisville"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Kentucky Oaks<\/a> race may have moved to primetime but that didn\u2019t stop gala goers from reveling at the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala<\/a> on May 1.<\/p>\n\n

Celebrities from near and far mingled with Louisvillians and other Derby weekend visitors at the annual pre-Kentucky Derby party in downtown Louisville, which doubles as a charitable event.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pretty cool, special evening,\u201d said Tonya York, who co-founded and co-hosts the gala alongside sister Tammy York-Day.<\/p>\n

For the 13th year, Louisville-based Blessings in a Backpack<\/a> was the event\u2019s primary beneficiary. The nonprofit provides students in need with backpacks of food to help alleviate weekend hunger. A portion of event proceedings also went to support 14 other nonprofits.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

More celebrity news: <\/strong>‘Such a classy event.’ Stars shine at 2026 Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to do as much as we can for as many as we can,\u201d York said.<\/p>\n

As Always a Runner crossed the finish line<\/a> at Churchill Downs, five miles north, a parade of Kentucky Derby jockeys and musicians, football and basketball greats, and stars of television and film took to the red carpet.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAnytime I get the chance to support a community, and support the children in it, I\u2019m there,\u201d said \u201cSuits\u201d actress Gina Torres<\/a>, attending her second Unbridled Eve gala and fresh off a visit from the racetrack. \u201cWe actually did a little betting today. I did kind of well. But I\u2019m not trying to get back all my money. I\u2019m not that girl. It\u2019s too hard to make it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The party draws a strong contingent of returning guests who reunite at the party and click like old friends.<\/p>\n

There are frequent fliers, such as former Bon Jovi lead guitarist, Richie Sambora<\/a>, who took to the stage early on May 1.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt’s a lot of fun,” Sambora said, remarking on the wide-ranging lineup of fellow musicians who\u2019ve taken to the Unbridled Eve stage alongside him over the years of attending the gala. “It’s specifically iconic, really.”<\/p>\n

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Regulars such as Bob Guiney, a former star of \u201cThe Bachelor,\u201d and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon<\/a> walked the red carpet alongside newcomers including actor and recording artist Anthony Ramos<\/a> (\u201cHamilton,\u201d \u201cIn the Heights\u201d) and star of HBO\u2019s \u201cIT: Welcome to Derry,\u201d Amanda Christine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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More celebrity news: <\/strong>Here are the celebrities walking the red carpet for Kentucky Derby 2026<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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While Christine wasn\u2019t attending the Kentucky Derby race, she was still thrilled to soak in the Derby weekend atmosphere at the party. Growing up, she heard stories about Derby from her mother, who is from Louisville.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cBeing able to come and experience myself, I\u2019m beyond grateful,\u201d she said. \u201cI love seeing how people dress up, their hats, their outfits. It\u2019s so expressive.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Ramos, meanwhile, spent some of his day May 1 at Churchill Downs<\/a> and said he would be rooting May 2 for Derby jockeys John Velazquez and Javier Castellano<\/a>, whom he met unexpectedly when enjoying a cigar at Jeff Ruby\u2019s<\/a> restaurant in Lexington while filming there earlier this year.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe all just started hanging out and we ended up shutting the place down,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cWe stayed in contact, and here we are at the Kentucky Derby now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the later, primetime Kentucky Oaks post time, the grand ballroom at The Galt House in downtown Louisville was still filled with tuxedos and ballgowns (and, new this year, screens to broadcast the evening race).<\/p>\n

Guests could place bids on dozens of silent auction items, including bourbon bottles, equine-focused artwork, distillery experiences, concert tickets, sports memorabilia and more. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

More Kentucky Derby: <\/strong>How the Kentucky Derby became the greatest race in America<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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In addition to dinner and the dance floor, partygoers could enjoy a number of specialty bars, a silent disco and karaoke backed by a live band.<\/p>\n

Throughout the night, a celebrity lineup of performers played the hits from the Unbridled Eve stage at The Galt House, including singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips<\/a>, Sugarhill Gang<\/a>, Sambora, and more.<\/p>\n

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As the red carpet drew to a close, two-time Derby winning jockey Mike Smith breezed through, planning an early bedtime before the May 2 race. At 59, a Derby win with So Happy would make him the oldest Derby winning jockey in history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the championship game,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like anything \u2026 you\u2019re a performer going out to perform on stage. If you don\u2019t get those butterflies, there\u2019s something wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

And as for his Derby horse pic? The racing veteran cracked a wide smile.<\/p>\n

Reach growth and development reporter Matthew Glowicki at mglowicki@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4000.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n