Mystik Dan Featured in KY Derby Museum Exhibit Update

Guests can relive the unforgettable victory of Mystik Dan in the 150th Kentucky Derby® by visiting the newly updated Winner's Circle exhibit at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Visitors can plan their Kentucky Derby Museum experience by visiting derbymuseum.org.

Every year, the Museum updates the Winner's Circle to commemorate the latest Derby champion, and this year is no exception. With odds of 18-1, Mystik Dan's win was the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947.

Mike Prather, a local artist who was first commissioned by the Museum to airbrush a replica Derby horse in 1999, captured all of Mystik Dan's unique markings and details to match how he looked crossing the finish line on May 4, 2024. The replica jockey was also given a makeover with the team's silks. After taking selfies with the Derby winners, visitors can dive into the story of their journey to victory by learning about the winning connections through a series of self-guided panels in the exhibit.

New this year, the Museum is thrilled to showcase the following items on loan in the exhibit, highlighting the historic double win with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and trainer Kenny McPeek clinching both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby: a halter and a horseshoe worn by Mystik Dan and a halter and a horseshoe worn by Thorpedo Anna.

As part of the annual updates, the Museum's front lobby banner and its signature 18-minute 360° movie, "The Greatest Race," now include Mystik Dan's stunning photo finish.

"The Kentucky Derby Museum is excited to bring Mystik Dan's inspiring victory to life," said Patrick Armstrong, Derby Museum President and CEO. "Congratulations to all the Mystik Dan connections on such a monumental win! The updates to the Winner's Circle and the inclusion of Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna's story make this exhibit a must-see."

Kentucky Derby Museum set record attendance last year with more than 251,000 visitors, and the Museum exceeded attendance expectations during Derby week. From Opening Night through the Sunday after Derby, 12,133 guests visited the Museum, which surpassed the 10,000 visitors anticipated and surpassed the 2023 attendance total for the same timeframe by 24.6%.

"The entire Kentucky Derby Museum Team did an incredible job executing all our Derby 150 projects, resulting in jaw-dropping results for 2024," said Katie Fussenegger, Kentucky Derby Museum Executive Vice President. "This gives the Museum spectacular momentum as we have already started working on big projects leading into our 40th anniversary next year."

The updates to the Winner's Circle, along with the new exhibits created for the 150th celebration, are expected to attract even more visitors through the busy summer travel season.