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Just ahead of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs Racetrack and Factory8384 unveil the “Legends of the Derby” bespoke sneaker collection. Inspired by the 13 Triple Crown winners of horse racing history, this limited-edition collection features 13 custom Nike Air Force 1s that pay homage to the individual Triple Crown champs.
Founded in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the longest continually-held major sporting event in North America and is the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown series. Only 13 horses in history have achieved Triple Crown status and the Churchill Downs Racetrack x Factory8384 “Legends of the Derby” Collection honors the story of each champion.
The collection uses the Triple Crown winners’ jockey silks as the color palette for the different sneakers. Each iteration was designed and handcrafted by Factory8384 using premium materials.
Factory8384 is a high-end sneaker customization studio based in Los Angeles. Co-Founder of Factory8384, Curtis Brown, has always been involved in the world of thoroughbred horse racing as his late father Louis “Tige” Brown, was a lifelong racing enthusiast.
This project has been both a personal and creative endeavor for Brown, as he hopes to preserve some of his cherished childhood memories spent as a family at the racetrack, as well as connect thoroughbred horse racing with the world at large.
The entire collection will be available for individual purchase via silent auction throughout the weekend of the Kentucky Derby. The auction is exclusive to in-person attendees of Thurby, Kentucky Oaks, and The Kentucky Derby. The winning bidder of each shoe will receive a made-to-order pair in their chosen size, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The Secretariat Foundation.
At the conclusion of the Kentucky Derby, three pairs from the display collection will be auctioned off as a collector’s set through Sotheby’s at a later date, which is still yet to be announced. The remaining ten sneakers will be donated to the Kentucky Derby Museum, serving as a permanent exhibition to honor and commemorate the tradition, history, and pride of this world-renowned event.
All 13 sneakers from the Churchill Downs Racetrack x Factory8384 “Legends of the Derby” Collection will be on display at the Kentucky Derby from May 4th through May 6th.
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