Andrew Walker Stars in "Kentucky Roses" Filmed at Churchill Downs to Celebrate Kentucky Derby Day
- Roma
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
Kentucky Roses wrapped production last year and is set to premiere on Hallmark Channel on May 2, 2026, and the next day on Hallmark+.
The movie is a collaboration between Hallmark Media and the iconic Churchill Downs Racetrack, which is home to the Kentucky Derby.
The movie stars Andrew Walker and Odette Annable (Supergirl, Walker), alongside Ally Ledford (His Nerd), Peyton Meyer (Girl Meets World, Days of Our Lives), Brynn Thayer (Fatal Attraction, Suits), and Gregg Henry (Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy), and celebrates the pageantry, tradition, and enduring spirit of the Kentucky Derby.
What Is Hallmark Channel's Kentucky Roses Movie About?
Kentucky Roses unfolds across two timelines—present day and 1932—at Churchill Downs.
In present-day, Sadie Moore (Annable) works in the Churchill Downs greenhouse, dreaming of becoming a florist and one day contributing to the Derby’s garland of roses, just like her great-grandmother, Gloria (Ledford).
As Derby Day approaches, Sadie meets Ash Taylor (Walker), the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO (Henry), who’s been asked to do an emergency repair on the iconic Twin Spires after a storm left one damaged.
Both Sadie and Ash feel the weight of family legacy and the desire to carve out their own paths. Sparks fly, and their budding romance is complicated by a long-buried connection between their families—a bittersweet love story from the past that threatens to repeat itself.
Kentucky Roses is a Collaboration of Two Legacy Brands
Jessica Callahan, Vice President of Hallmark Media, made a public statement about Hallmark's collaboration with Churchill Downs:
“Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs are both legacy brands, each with more than a hundred years of history. Additionally, we share a commitment to giving generations of fans a memorable experience that fosters deep connections. Together, we’re thrilled to bring audiences an inspiring story of community, courage, and time-honored traditions.“
The partnership continues in Hallmark Gold Crown stores with a collection of romantic jewelry inspired by the movie.
About Churchill Downs Racetrack
Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875.
Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall.
CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel.
About the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the longest continually held major sporting event in North America and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, The Run for the Roses® and The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®, the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. The 152nd Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com.
Tickets for the 152nd Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 1-2 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com, or call (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet.
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