- Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast, will be the ‘Riders Up’ announcer for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
- The ‘Riders Up’ command signals jockeys to mount their horses before the race.
- Biles will give the command on May 3, just before the race’s 6:57 p.m. post time.
LOUISVILLE − We think you’ll flip when you hear who is coming to Louisville to call ‘Riders Up’ at the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Before the start of the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, one of the greatest athletes of all time, Simone Biles, will have the honor of serving as this year’s ‘Riders Up’ announcer. With 41 medals across world championships and the Olympic Games, Biles holds the most world championship medals (30) and gold medals (23) in gymnastics history.
A three-time Olympian, her 11 Olympic medals and seven Olympic gold medals are the most by a U.S. gymnast.
The 28-year-old superstar has earned the rare distinction of having five skills named in her honor – The Biles – in the beam, floor (two), and vault (two) disciplines.
On Saturday, May 3, Biles will be taking her legacy to the Kentucky Derby, where she will command all jockeys to take their mounts in the paddock on NBC just before the start of the race, which has a post time of 6:57 p.m. for the 151st running.
As part of her Kentucky Derby weekend festivities, Biles will also attend the legendary Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala. Hosted by Patricia Barnstable Brown, the annual party is ranked by Conde Nast as ‘one of the top ten parties in the world.’
Ahead of Derby Day, gymnast and social media sensation, Livvy Dunne, will announce ‘Riders Up’ ahead of the 2025 Kentucky Oaks.
Kentucky Derby tradition behind the ‘Riders Up!’ command
“Riders Up!” is the traditional command from the Paddock Judge for jockeys to take their mount in advance of the upcoming race. But since 2012, Churchill Downs has reserved that special honor for a dignitary or celebrity attendee when it comes to the Kentucky Derby.
“Riders Up” typically occurs across from Stall 1 in the Saddling Paddock around 19 minutes in advance of the start of the Kentucky Derby and is broadcast live on NBC. After the command, jockeys receive a leg up on their mounts and immediately turn right to the Paddock Runway, which leads to the racetrack.
In 2015, Teddy Bridgewater, the popular former University of Louisville quarterback who was named NFL Rookie of the Year as a Minnesota Viking, proclaimed: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the city of Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and sports fans from around the world have been waiting for this moment … Riders Up!”
Celebrities who have had ‘Riders Up’ honors in past years include John Calipari (2012), Charlie Strong (2013), Julius Irving (2014), Teddy Bridgewater (2015), Sean Peyton (2016), Jeff Bridges (2017), Laila Ali (2018), Baker Mayfield (2019), D. Wayne Lukas (2021), Jack Harlow (2022), Patrick Mahomes (2023), and Martha Stewart (2024).
Tickets for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 2-3 are available at KentuckyDerby.com, DerbyExperiences.com, or by calling 502-636-4447.
Reach Features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
