All-American National Champion gymnast Olivia “Livvy” Dunne and ex-Major League Baseball star Jayson Werth will be the celebrity hosts to meet-and-greet guests in Sports Illustrated’s Club SI, the popular luxury dining experience at historic Churchill Downs, for the 151st runnings of the Longines Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, respectively.
Club SI, a multi-year exclusive partnership between Churchill Downs Racetrack and Sports Illustrated, debuted at last year’s Kentucky Derby and offers guests a modern, sophisticated race day experience as part of the racetrack’s recent $200 million reimagined Paddock Project.
Dunne is a gymnast at LSU and the world’s most followed NCAA athlete, garnering more than 15 million followers across all social media channels. Beyond her athletic success, Dunne is a trailblazer as one of the faces of college sports’ name, image and likeness (NIL) era, founding The Livvy Fund to empower underrepresented female student-athletes. Recognized by Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Top Creator lists, Dunne has excelled as a brand advocate and role model leveraging her authentic connection with her audience across sports, fashion and lifestyle.
Werth is a former 15-year outfielder who played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals from 2002 to 2017. While with the Phillies, he won a World Series championship in 2008 and was named an All-Star in 2009. Werth joined the Nationals in 2011 and was later named to that team’s Ring of Honor. After baseball, Werth turned his passion for competition to horse racing and formed Two Eight Racing, a nod to his MLB uniform number. In 2024, he owned 10% of Dornoch, who won the Belmont Stakes. That passion led Werth to establish ICON Racing, a traditional syndicate bringing together his friends, family, and colleagues—some of whom may be icons themselves—in the sport he has grown to love. As part of his Derby Week activities, Werth will also record an episode of his podcast, Off the Rail with ICON Racing, from Club SI, bringing fans exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes coverage of horse racing’s biggest weekend.
Affording guests an unparalleled behind-the-scenes experience, Club SI offers luxury dining with an immersive view of the Paddock and Paddock Runway. The interior design of Club SI showcases iconic Sports Illustrated magazine covers and editorial featuring past Kentucky Derby races, and a sneak peek into Sports Illustrated’s new SI Resorts vertical.
Club SI is open on select premium race days throughout the year at Churchill Downs. Guests have the option to book dining tables, indulge in gourmet dishes from the curated Chef’s Table Buffet, visit dedicated wagering windows and private bars, and enjoy outdoor trackside viewing for live races. Steps from the club, guests are treated to the SI Enclosure which delivers a front-row experience of the Paddock with covered outdoor dining tables.
Limited tickets for the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby are available and can be secured by calling (502) 636-4447 or visiting www.kentuckyderby.com.