Maker’s Mark Release to Honor Hall of Fame Jockey

Bourbon

March 30, 2021

This year’s annual Keeneland commemorative Maker’s Mark release will honor jockey Isaac Burns Murphy with a first-ever triple-bottle collection.

Three different artists — Sandra Oppegard, Andre Pater and Tyler Robertson – have designed labels in honor of the Hall of Fame jockey, who won the Kentucky Derby three times and also won the Derby, the Kentucky Oaks and the Clark Handicap all in one year (1884).

After his career ended, he was in the first group of jockeys ever inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.

Proceeds from bottle sales will benefit LexArts, greater Lexington, Ky.’s cultural development and fundraising organization in support of the organization’s art garden named for Murphy. It is the first park to honor African-American jockeys, who were the earliest Black professional athletes. Funds from 2021 bottle sales will help complete the installation by Lexington artist LaVon Van Williams Jr., along with future programming within the park.

Each bottle is pre-signed by the respective artist, Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin, Maker’s Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels, and one of three active Hall of Fame jockeys who have won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland multiple times: Javier Castellano, Edgar Prado and John Velazquez. The three bottles will go on sale Friday, April 2.

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