An Insider's Guide to the Kentucky Derby — Now Available
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Doing Derby

1971
Louisville • Horse Country • Fine Kentucky Bourbon
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An Insider's Guide to the Kentucky Derby

Louisville • Horse Country
A Sip of Fine Kentucky Bourbon

The Guidebook

An Insider's Guide to the Kentucky Derby

Louisville • Horse Country • A Sip of Fine Kentucky Bourbon. Whether it’s your first Derby or your tenth, the Doing Derby Guide helps you experience Kentucky the way insiders do.

  • 01 Welcome to the World of the Kentucky Derby
  • 02 The Rhythm of Derby Season
  • 03 Keeneland: The Heart of Bluegrass Racing
  • 04 The Kentucky Derby Festival
  • 05 Planning Your Derby Weekend
  • 06 What to Wear to the Derby
  • 07 Exploring Horse Country & A Sip of Kentucky Bourbon
  • 08 Doing Derby Like a Local — plus 6 more chapters
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What We Cover

Your Guide to Derby Country & the Commonwealth

From the thunder of hooves at Churchill Downs to a quiet bourbon tasting in the rolling hills of Woodford County — Doing Derby covers every corner of the Kentucky experience.

The Kentucky Derby

History, traditions, seating guides, race-day tips, and everything you need to experience the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Kentucky Bourbon

Distillery tours, tasting notes, the Bourbon Trail, and the stories behind Kentucky's most storied spirit.

Horse Country

Bluegrass farm tours, thoroughbred culture, Lexington's charm, and the landscapes that define Kentucky's soul.

Derby Fashion

Hat etiquette, outfit inspiration, and style guides for every venue — from the infield to the clubhouse.

Louisville & Dining

The best restaurants, speakeasies, Hot Browns, and culinary traditions that make Louisville a food city.

Keeneland & Lexington

The Keeneland spring meet, Lexington's vibrant culture, and the most organic, authentically Kentuckian racing experience in the Commonwealth.

“The race may last only two minutes—but the magic of Derby week lasts much longer.”
— An Insider’s Guide to the Kentucky Derby
The Doing Derby Shop

Equestrian Style & Southern Entertaining

Curated goods for the Kentucky lifestyle — from Derby Day barware and equestrian home décor to race-day fashion and bourbon country gifts. Every piece chosen to bring the spirit of horse country home.

Barware & Entertaining

  • Sterling & copper Mint Julep cup sets
  • Bourbon tasting flight boards
  • Equestrian cocktail shaker sets
  • Horse-bit handle serving trays
  • Derby Day linen cocktail napkins
  • Personalized bourbon glasses
Browse Collection

Equestrian Home Décor

  • Snaffle-bit throw pillows in velvet & linen
  • Vintage thoroughbred racing prints
  • Bluegrass & Bourbon soy candles
  • Brass horse head bookends
  • Saddlery-inspired leather trays
  • Kentucky landmarks watercolor art
Browse Collection

Derby Day Fashion

  • Wide-brim Derby hats & fascinators
  • Silk equestrian-print scarves
  • Horse-bit jewelry — bracelets & necklaces
  • Jockey silk enamel earrings
  • Derby Day clutch bags
  • Horseshoe cufflinks & tie bars
Browse Collection

Horse Country Clothing

  • Riding-inspired women’s blazers
  • Premium embroidered polo shirts
  • Equestrian-print shirt dresses
  • Classic quilted vests
  • Men’s seersucker blazers
  • Waxed cotton field jackets
Browse Collection

Kentucky Gifts & Bourbon

  • Bourbon barrel stave accessories
  • Curated Derby Day gift boxes
  • Bourbon-infused food — pralines & truffles
  • Leather-bound monogrammed flasks
  • Mint Julep & Old Fashioned cocktail kits
  • Kentucky-shaped hardwood cutting boards
Browse Collection

From the Doing Derby Kitchen

  • Bourbon Butterscotch Cinnamon Rolls
  • Handcrafted in small batches
  • Made with real Kentucky bourbon
  • Rich butterscotch & warm cinnamon
  • Perfect for Derby brunch & gifting
  • Ships fresh to your door
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The Doing Derby Storefront

Our curated collections are available through our Shopify-powered storefront, featuring equestrian-themed goods from premium suppliers across the United States. Every item is hand-selected to reflect the elegance of horse country and the warmth of southern hospitality.

  • Free shipping on orders over $75
  • Curated collections updated seasonally
  • Gift wrapping available on all orders
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Bourbon & Beyond

The Spirit of Kentucky

Kentucky bourbon is more than a drink — it's a tradition, a craft, and a way of life. Doing Derby takes you inside the world of bourbon with the reverence it deserves.

The Bourbon Trail

From Maker's Mark in Loretto to Woodford Reserve in Versailles, we guide you through Kentucky's legendary distilleries with insider recommendations for tours, tastings, and hidden gems along the way.

Bourbon & Food Pairings

Discover how to pair Kentucky's finest bourbons with southern cuisine — from smoked meats and aged cheeses to our very own Bourbon Butterscotch Cinnamon Rolls.

Derby Cocktails

The Mint Julep is just the beginning. Explore classic and contemporary bourbon cocktails perfect for Derby Day entertaining, from the Old Fashioned to the Bourbon Smash.

Southern Entertaining

Host your own Derby Day celebration with our guides to tablescaping, menu planning, and the art of southern hospitality that would make any hostess proud.

Stay in the Know

Join the Doing Derby Circle

Get insider Derby tips, bourbon recommendations, new recipes, and first access to the Doing Derby Guide — plus dispatches from across the Commonwealth, delivered straight to your inbox.