Construction begins on 360° theater for Kentucky Derby Museum's multi-million dollar exhibit upgrade
New experience to serve as centerpiece of museum’s 40th anniversary celebration
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 13, 2025) – Construction is underway on the Great Hall at the Kentucky Derby Museum to prepare for the debut of a remastered version of The Greatest Race, the museum’s beloved 360° feature film. The museum's $2.3 million project is being led by Donna Lawrence Productions, a Louisville-based company globally renowned for its innovative storytelling and immersive media experiences.
On Monday, January 6, crews from Milwaukee-based Clearwing began installing advanced lighting technology in the iconic oval theater, working from designs created by Donna Lawrence Productions in collaboration with Boston-based firm Available Light. Meanwhile, Donna Lawrence Productions is actively editing the new version of the film to be installed on a new, state-of-the-art playback system designed and installed by Louisville-based Communications Electronic Design. The show will be updated with fresh footage captured during the 2024 Kentucky Derby® and is scheduled to premiere in April 2025 during the museum’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
“The Greatest Race has been a cornerstone of the museum experience for four decades," said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO. "This upgrade not only honors the exhibit’s legacy but also ensures it remains a world-class attraction for the next generation of visitors. As we prepare to celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary, this project reflects our commitment to innovation, storytelling, and preserving the magic of the Derby.”
Beginning as a first-of-its-kind 360° slideshow of archival Derby photographs in 1985, The Greatest Race has undergone remarkable transformations over the past 40 years. In 2015, it became the world’s first seamless 360° immersive media experience, again solidifying its place as a groundbreaking exhibit. While the award-winning film’s ending is updated annually to reflect the latest Derby winner, the 2025 version will mark the first significant upgrade in a decade.
The revamped film will incorporate cutting-edge projection, an immersive surround soundtrack, atmospheric lighting, and dynamic effects, creating a show-stopping exhibit that pushes the boundaries of museum experiences. The storyline and video will offer a fresh perspective on the 20 horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners vying for victory in the "greatest two minutes in sports." Donna Lawrence Productions, a long-time creative partner of the museum, is leading the production effort.
“The Kentucky Derby Museum continues to define new horizons," said Donna Lawrence, Donna Lawrence Productions Founder. "Not just in the world of Thoroughbred racing but also in the world of global destination experiences. Building on the resilience of its original design by E. Verner Johnson and Hilferty and Associates, the museum is once again expanding the boundaries of deeply immersive media experiences, in this case fueled also by the power of a great story -- The Greatest Race."
The $2.3 million project, supported by a generous $1 million grant from the James Graham Brown Foundation, builds on the museum’s mission to engage, educate, and excite audiences about the Kentucky Derby.
The museum is planning a VIP movie premiere for April 10, 2025, with tickets available soon. Guests are encouraged to check the museum's website for updates. The exhibit will officially open to the public and will be included in the price of general admission starting April 11, 2025.
MEDIA NOTE: Video of construction, renderings, modern photographs, and archive images can be downloaded from the museum's Dropbox account. All images must include a courtesy for Kentucky Derby Museum. Contact Katrina Helmer at [email protected] or 502-814-3027 to schedule additional interviews or video opportunities regarding the project.