The Historic Kentucky Derby

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At the 2010 Kentucky Derby, taking place May 1^st,  Looking at Lucky is the horse to beat at 3 to 1 odds, but last year’s winner, Mine that Bird, was the underdog (50 to 1), so we are excited to see if there will any surprises and upsets this year.  We love the pomp and circumstance surrounding these historic raises.  The “race for the roses,” as the derby is known, started the tradition of bequeathing a garland of 554 red roses on the winner in the 1880s, after a New York socialite handed out roses to the women in attendance. The rose became the official flower of the races. On Kentucky Derby weekend society men and women gather in the grandstands to sip on mint juleps and while the women don elaborate chapeaus.  Women even have to order their hats months in advance to beat the derby-rush!  We can imagine such women wearing jewellery like a our wonderful 18kt yellow gold, diamond and ruby brooch, depicting a horse extended mid gallop.  This lovely scarf clip or pendant in 18kt green gold set with diamonds has beautiful organic lines.

This beautiful bronze of the 1978 Kentucky Derby winner Affirmed is a great representation of this majestic racing horse. The plaque states “Horse of the Year”, a title bestowed on Affirmed in both 1978 and 1979. You need not be a Kentucky Derby winner to get that title, but it certainly helps! Affirmed was a triple crown winner, and the grandson of famed triple crown winner War Admiral.