Westy’s & Derby Day
As we mentioned last week, spring has sprung! April showers bring May flowers, and the month of May brings Derby Day! This Saturday marks the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby. Eighteen thoroughbreds are expected to run for the roses and earn their mark in the history of horse racing. Mark and Holly have been fascinated with horse racing for years and Derby Day is always marked on our calendar.
Mark was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the home to some of the best thoroughbreds in the world. The best ever, Secretariat, was laid to rest in Kentucky in 1989 for instance. Being from the Bluegrass state, Mark gained an affinity for those things that Kentucky is most known for: basketball, bourbon, and horses. Mark bleeds blue when it comes to basketball; he has a keen taste for the best bourbons on the market, with Blanton’s being his favorite; and he thoroughly enjoys the competition that horse racing offers. He makes it a point to watch the Triple Crown races every year, but the Kentucky Derby is always his favorite. Mark’s eyes get misty every time he hears “My Old Kentucky Home” before the big race.
Holly, on the other hand, is practically a member of horse racing royalty. Her father’s side of the family hails from Waynesboro, Virginia, which is just outside Charlottesville. Waynesboro has beautiful countryside that is rich in farmland and horse pastures. Her family trained horses who participated in races all across the country, to include Pimlico, Aberdeen, and the annual Foxfield Races in Charlottesville. Most notably, Holly’s great-great grandfather, Billy Garth, trained Paul Jones, the winner of the 1920 Kentucky Derby!
Mark and Holly realized early on in their relationship they had a lot in common – a love for sports, beer, and good times with family and friends are at the top of the list. It only took watching one Kentucky Derby together to realize we had something else in common – a love for horseracing! We even went so far as to invest (small mind you) in Don’t Tell My Wife Stables, a private racing stable that provides horse enthusiasts like us with the opportunity to participate in thoroughbred ownership. In fact, one of our horses, Optical, runs in the race right after the Derby this Saturday. Go Optical! We have been fortunate enough to attend the Kentucky Derby several times throughout the years. The pageantry, thrills, and excitement that thoroughbred racing brings is like nothing else!
We look forward to our first Derby Day at Westy’s in 2026! When the first Saturday of May rolls around every year, you can bet – no pun intended – that the Mint Julips will be flowing, and the gaudy and gorgeous Derby hats will be abundant! On Derby Day in 2026 at 6:50 PM, all eyes will be glued to Westy’s TVs to cheer on their picks and witness potential greatness in the making!
