Lifestyle

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Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Triple Crown, horse racing, Thoroughbreds, aftercare, history, tradition, fans, mint julep, betting, gambling, racehorse, party, fashion, Jockey Club, fans, attendance, run for the roses

Beginner’s Guide to the 2026 Kentucky Derby

If you’ve opened this story you probably are interested in the Kentucky Derby but might not know a whole lot about horse racing or the Triple Crown. Never fear, America’s Best Racing is here to help.

The Kentucky Derby is the most-watched horse race of the year in the United States and is widely considered one of the most important sporting events in the country, having grown to become much more than just a horse race since Aristides won the first edition in 1875.

Ken Freirich, Breeders Cup, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Charities of America

Thoroughbred Philanthropist Ken Freirich Leads By Example, Breeders' Cup Weekend and Beyond

Whether endowing an entrepreneurship competition he founded at his alma mater, Skidmore College, supporting disabled jockeys, or donating to Thoroughbred aftercare, Ken Freirich believes in leading by example, and last week at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, he was seemingly everywhere all at once, spreading the message.

“Sure did. It was non-stop,” he said a few days after the event when asked if he’d had fun.

Tony Ryan, Book Award, literary, horse racing, Thoroughbred, fiction, nonfiction, Josh Pons, Letters from Country Life, Country Life Farm, Maryland, history, John Perrotta, Beggar’s Ride, Arthur Hancock, Dark Horses, ABR

Josh Pons’ ‘Letters from Country Life’ Wins 2024 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award

Noted racing journalist and horseman Josh Pons has been named the 19th recipient of the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, presented by the Ryan family’s Castleton Lyons, for excellence in Thoroughbred racing literature published in 2024. He received the winner’s $10,000 check during a Nov. 6 reception at the Lexington, Ky., farm. The ceremony was held in a loft above the historic stallion barn that once housed 19th century champions Domino and Commando.

Griffin Johnson, America’s Best Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Sandman, A Stake in Stardom, horse racing, ABR

Griffin Johnson Awarded 2025 New Owner of the Year

OwnerView announced today that the 2025 New Owner of the Year, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, is being awarded to Griffin Johnson.

Johnson is an American content creator, social media influencer, actor, and singer with more than 14 million followers. Johnson was a founding member and resident of the Sway House, a Bel Air mansion and hub for famous TikTok creators. He is also a co-founder and operating partner of venture capital firm Animal Capital.

Ben Bernhard, Stable Analytics, Pin Oak Stud, SpaceX, engineer, parents, horse racing, pedigree, equine, sensors, biometric, Geaux Rocket Ride, Equibase, physiology, injury, data, technology, ABR

On the Rise: Ben Bernhard

Ben Bernhard will be the first to tell you that he is very much new to racing, but he does bring something unique to his jobs as the CEO and co-founder of Stable Analytics and as vice president of Pin Oak Stud, a Thoroughbred farm near Versailles, Ky., owned by his parents, Jim and Dana. The couple bought their first racehorse, Grade 1 winner Geaux Rocket Ride, as a yearling in 2021, and purchased Pin Oak the following year.

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