LOUISVILLE, Ky. — No one else on Earth is going to sing the National Anthem at the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby quite like Kentucky native Wynonna Judd.
Churchill Downs announced the five-time Grammy award-winner will perform on Saturday, May 4.
“Wynonna Judd is a multigenerational talent who has helped shape country music over the years, and a Kentucky native, making her the perfect artist to set the stage for this once-in-a-lifetime Kentucky Derby,” said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We’re excited for Wynonna to bring her powerful voice back to Louisville to convey the wide range of emotion for which this landmark occasion calls.”
Wynonna and her mother, Naomi, are one of the greatest duos in country music. The Judds earned five Grammy awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Wynonna has also carved out an incredibly successful solo career, having released eight studio albums and continues to entertain fans by touring. Judd will perform at this year’s Railbird Festival on June 1 in Lexington.
“I am so proud to represent my home state, taking part in one of the most storied and iconic traditions,” Wynonna Judd said. “The Kentucky Derby is something I look forward to every year and being able to perform this year makes the momentous event even more special.”
Wynonna joins a roster of accomplished artists to perform The Star-Spangled Banner at the Run for the Roses®. Past artists who have performed include Carly Pearce (2023), Brittney Spencer (2022), Tori Kelly (2021), Jennifer Nettles (2019), Pentatonix (2018), Harry Connick, Jr. (2017), Lady A (2016), Josh Groban (2015), Jo Dee Messina (2014), Martina McBride (2013), Mary J. Blige (2012), Jordin Sparks (2011), Rascal Flatts (2010) and Leann Rimes (2009).
Churchill Downs also announced Martha Stewart will be this year’s Riders Up announcer. She’ll command all the jockeys to mount their horses for Derby 150.
But before the Derby, there is the Kentucky Oaks. Country music newcomer Lana Scott will perform the National Anthem before the Oaks on Friday, May 3.
Scott was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice and was named one of the “Top 10 Emerging Artists” in country music by Opry Entertainment. Scott will also perform two original songs during the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade, set for 3:15 p.m. The parade celebrates breast and ovarian cancer survivors and those fighting the disease. There will be 150 survivors and fighters walking in the parade, each selected to participate in the 16th parade.
The Riders Up announcer for the Kentucky Oaks is athlete Sonny Choi. Choi is a breakdancer and the first American woman to qualify for breakdancing at the 2024 Olympics, the first to feature the sport.
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