OFFICIAL STEAMBOAT RACE COCKTAIL SELECTED
April 23, 2025. Louisville, KY. – The hometown Belle of Louisville is ready to defend her title and win back bragging rights and the Coveted Silver Antlers from upriver rival, the Belle of Cincinnati, during the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race on Wednesday, April 30. Details for this year’s race were announced on board the Mary M. Miller this afternoon. The Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati will compete in the long-running Festival favorite.
“The Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race is a Derby week tradition that draws fans to the banks of the Ohio River every spring,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “This will be the 62nd year for the rivalry on the river and the competition keeps us entertained up until the winner is declared. We wish both boats the best of luck!”
The 14-mile course on the Ohio River starts and finishes at the Clark Memorial Bridge. Each boat will be assigned two judges, in addition to an overall event judge from the Derby Festival. The majority decision of the judges will be final. The winner will be presented with the set of 12-point Silver Antlers at the post-race ceremony.
Shepherd Insurance returns as the Title Sponsor. “This iconic event is more than just a competition on the water. It’s a true testament to the tradition and spirit we have going on in the city for the next couple of weeks,” said Maryashly Sebastian, Marketing Communication Manager for Shepherd Insurance. “We’re proud to support this tradition, not just as sponsors, but as neighbors, friends and fans of the community and the events taking place.”
A tasting was held this morning to pick the Official Cocktail of the Belle of Louisville for this year’s race. After a tasting of three specialty bourbon cocktails made with Brough Brothers Bourbon, the Official Bourbon of the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race, a panel of judges voted on their favorite. The winning cocktail – The Derby Sunrise – will be served on the Belle during the race. It features bourbon, Grenadine and orange juice and is garnished with an orange slice and a cherry.
“This is our third year supporting the race…. It’s an exciting opportunity for us and we enjoy doing it every year,” said Victor Yarbrough, CEO of Brough Brothers Distillery. “This is a great drink and we look forward to people tasting it next week, and hopefully it will be a winner with the crowd as well.”
The shenanigans have already started between the steamboat captains, Mark Doty with the Belle of Louisville, and Alan Bernstein with the Belle of Cincinnati. They’re keeping their strategies to themselves this year.
“As far as what’s going on with the Belle, I can’t reveal that information,” said Captain Doty. “We plan on having a good time.”
“We have a few things up our sleeves as well. We will leave those a secret,” said Captain Bernstein. “It’s a pleasure to come here. Our crew really enjoys this competition.”
Boarding for the Great Steamboat Race will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., with all the boats departing the shore at 5:45 for a 6 p.m. start. The Awards Ceremony will take place immediately following on the Belle of Louisville. Tickets for the Belle of Louisville are $200 (limited availability). For Belle tickets, visit KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST. To purchase tickets on the Belle of Cincinnati, call (800) 261-8586.
Shepherd Insurance is the Title Sponsor of this year’s race. Official Patient Care Provider: PPL Therapeutic Services, PLLC. Official Bourbon: Brough Brothers Distillery. Official Tequila: Casamigos Tequila. Supporting Sponsors: Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati. Media Sponsor: Q103.1.
