Woodford Reserve's 2023 Kentucky Derby bottle features Secretariat. Take a peek
With the Kentucky Derby just more than 60 days away, the race is on to get your hands on the 2023 Woodford Reserve Derby bottle featuring Secretariat, with artwork by a Kentucky native.
On Wednesday, Woodford Reserve, the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, released the 2023 commemorative Kentucky Derby bottle featuring artwork by Jaime Corum. In addition, this year's special release bottle celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in sports history — Secretariat winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby.
"This is our most collectible Derby bottle yet, as Secretariat is perhaps the most revered and most loved racehorse in history," Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said. "Even 50 years after his stunning achievement, Secretariat’s Triple Crown run is still considered one of the most iconic achievements in sports."
During a bottle unveiling at the Churchill Downs Racetrack, Corum, known for her stunning horse portraits, described her painting for the Woodford Reserve Derby bottle which is titled "Still The Greatest."
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“I hope that my painting for this year’s Woodford Reserve Derby bottle, 'Still The Greatest,'allows us to remember that moment of dreamlike perfection when Secretariat won the 1973Kentucky Derby," Corum said
Secretariat is considered one of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time. A Triple Crown winner, he still holds the record for the fastest race time at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.
For the Woodford bottle, Corum painted Secretariat in the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs, with the famed Garland of Roses draped over the colt’s withers. Within the painting, Corum included a few surprises.
"I counted the roses in the painting and it turns out there are 73 (similar to 1973 when Secretariat won the Derby) which is totally unplanned," said Corum. "And I painted a copper penny into the roses in a nod to Penny Chenery (the owner of Secretariat.) who I hope is enjoying this moment from above."
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Corum, who also created the artwork for the 2022 Woodford Reserve Derby bottle, has a Masters of Fine Arts from The University of Kentucky. Her equine artwork begins with the foundation of her understanding of equine shape and movement and enhances that with the intangible quality of the horse’s character.
Corum has painted Secretariat many times during her career and said she was honored to have been asked to create the artwork for the 50th anniversary of his historic race.
"He truly was the G.O.A.T. and he still is," said the artist. "He had the power to transcend racing in 1973 and reach everyone with his brilliance and he still does that today 50 years later."
The Woodford Reserve bottle retails for $55 and is available for purchase globally. A special presale on ReserveBar begins today. Woodford Reserve’s Derby bottle has been an annual collector’s item anticipated by bourbon and racing fans since 1999.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Woodford Reserve's 2023 Kentucky Derby bottle features Secretariat
