The Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races party returned for its third year on Kentucky Derby Eve, attracting athletes, influencers, and actors. Tiësto headlined the event, which took place at the Ice House in downtown Louisville.
Key points
Revel at the Races party returned for its third year
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.
Q&A
Who attended the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races party?
Athletes like Nate Burleson, Deone Walker, and influencers such as Corinne and Damien Broderick attended the event.
What was the location of the Revel at the Races party?
The party was held at the Ice House in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.
Who was the headliner at the Revel at the Races party?
Tiësto, a global dance music icon, headlined the event.
What is the significance of the Revel at the Races party?
The party is a star-studded event that celebrates the Kentucky Derby and brings together notable figures from sports and entertainment.
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Mac Hereford at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Tiesto performed at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Cornerback Dru Phillips at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Joakim Noah and Lais Ribiero bieng playful at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Former NBA player Charles Oakly at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Former baseball player Jason Werth joined the party at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Maxwell Harrison at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Deone Walker at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Jeffery Simmons, a defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Brooke Johnson at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Crowd partying at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Actress Gina Torres and Kevin Wright at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Tiesto performed at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Mac Hereford at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Mac Hereford at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Tiesto performed at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Cornerback Dru Phillips at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Joakim Noah and Lais Ribiero bieng playful at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Former NBA player Charles Oakly at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Former baseball player Jason Werth joined the party at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Maxwell Harrison at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Deone Walker at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Jeffery Simmons, a defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Brooke Johnson at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Crowd partying at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Actress Gina Torres and Kevin Wright at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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See celebrities at the Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races Derby party
Tiesto performed at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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.
Actor Andrew Walker, who stars in the Hallmark movie "Kentucky Roses," at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Actor Andrew Walker, who stars in the Hallmark movie "Kentucky Roses," at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
"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."
Cornerback Dru Phillips at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Cornerback Dru Phillips at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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.
Tiesto performed at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Tiesto performed at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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."
Former baseball player Jayson Werth joined the party at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
Former baseball player Jayson Werth joined the party at the Sports Illustrated's Revel at the Races in Partnership with J Wagner Group, Presented by DraftKings
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.
