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Legendary quarterback and father of two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, Archie Manning, was the keynote speaker for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s 57th annual They’re Off! Luncheon on Friday, April 19, 2013. Manning addressed over 1,500 Derby Festival supporters and patrons in attendance for this community tradition, which was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House East Hotel, site of the festive event since 1974.
Manning joined the ranks of Erin Andrews, Sam Champion, Robin Roberts and Terry Bradshaw as well as many others in a long list of luminaries who have entertained They’re Off! Luncheon audiences for the past 57 years.
During the annual luncheon is the presentation of the AT&T Silver Horseshoe Award, given annually to a group or individual who has made significant contributions to the Thoroughbred racing industry/service to the community.
In 2012, the American Red Cross-Louisville Area Chapter was the recipient of the Silver Horseshoe Award. In addition to the award, the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation –the Derby Festival’s charitable arm – made a financial contribution to the local Red Cross chapter for tornado relief throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Kentucky Derby Festival Silver Horseshoe Award Recipients
The Silver Horseshoe Award is presented to an individual or company that has demonstrated outstanding service or contributions to the community.
1962 Tom “Cactus” Brooks
1963 not given
1964 not given
1965 Roscoe Goose
1966 Wathen R. Knebelkamp
1967 Henry Forrest
1968 Allan W. (Doc) Lavin
1969 Colonel Anna F. Goldman
1970 Lynn Stone
1971 Warner L. Jones, Jr.
1972 William F. Lucas
1973 John W. Galbreath
1974 Penny Chenery Tweedy
1975 Thruston B. Morton
1976 C.V. Whitney
1977 William H. May
1978 Colonel Matt J. Winn (posthumously)
1979 Cawood Ledford
1980 Mrs. Gene Markey
1981 Ed McGrath
1982 John R. Gaines (introduced the idea of the Breeders’ Cup in his acceptance speech – 1st event would be in 1984)
1983 Woody Stephens
1984 Don Brumfield
1985 Pat Day
1986 C.R. (Shug) McGaughey
1987 Jim McKay
1988 Eddie Arcaro
1989 Warner L. Jones, Jr.
1990 James Graham Brown (posthumously)
1991 Arthur Hancock
1992 Thomas H. Meeker
1993 James E. Bassett, III
1994 not given
1995 W. T. Young
1996 Louis J. Hermann, Jr.
1997 Mike Battaglia
1998 N/A*
1999 Tori Murden
2000 Kentucky Air National Guard 123rd Airlift Wing
2001 The Kroger Company
2002 Mayor David Armstrong
2003 WHAS Crusade for Children
2004 George Zambelli Sr. (posthumously)
2005 1956 Kentucky Derby Festival Founding Sponsors
2006 Americana Community Center
2007 New Bolton Center in memory of Barbaro
2008 Delta Queen Steamboat
2009 Thoroughbred Charities of America in memory of Eight Belles.
2010 Kentucky Derby Museum
2011 Louisville Metro Police Department
2012 The American Red Cross – Louisville Chapter
*In 1998, the KDF took a year off in awarding the Silver Horseshoe award so that new criteria for selection could be determined for the award.
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