Country legend Toby Keith's Kentucky Derby dream is fulfilled a year post his demise, with his horse winning the iconic race.
Late Toby Keith's Legend Lives On at the Kentucky Derby
Toby Keith's long-held dream of seeing one of his thoroughbreds race in the Kentucky Derby has finally come true, over 19 months after the iconic country singer's passing.
Remember, Toby Keith passed away at 62, but his memory shall never fade. His horse, Render Judgment, was granted a spot at the 2025 Kentucky Derby, marking the debut of Dream Walkin' Farms in the prestigious race. Toby started his racing operation in 2001.
His official Instagram account announced this joyous news on April 27. "It was Toby's dream. Render Judgment is going to the Kentucky Derby" mentioned the caption, adding "He worked so hard to finally have one there! Toby will have the best seat in the house to watch."
Render Judgment narrowly missed an automatic entry into the Run for Roses on April 26. However, fortunately for our cowboy in the sky, Tappan Street had to drop out, and our dream horse snagged its place in theDerby!
Trainer Kenny McPeck shared Toby's profound love for horse racing during an interview on "Fox & Friends First" on Friday. "He loved thoroughbred horse racing more than he did music," McPeck fondly reminded us. McPeck first crossed paths with Keith at a race in Louisiana over 20 years ago.
As stated by Kentucky Derby Connections in 2019, winning at the Kentucky Derby was the pinnacle of racing ambitions for the country music star. "Yeah, that's the one that everybody wants to hang onto their wall, right? You want to say, 'I won the Kentucky Derby.' But God, it's hard to get there...the horse racing business is dreaming more. It's exciting...you got to live on the edge a little bit," Toby shared.
Toby Keith's racing empire, Dream Walkin' Farms, was in full swing for more than three decades before his family took over the 330-acre facility in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Keith passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 5, 2024.
Prior to his death, Keith publicly disclosed he was battling stomach cancer since June 2022. He was best known for his 1993 hit song, "Should've Been a Cowboy," which was played 3 million times on radio stations in the '90s and became the decade's most-played country song.
With 20 No. 1 Billboard hits to his name, such as "How Do You Like Me Now?!," "As Good As I Once Was," "My List," and "Beer for My Horses" (a duet with Willie Nelson), Keith's country music legacy remains unmatched. His patriotic ballad, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" was an ode to the resilience of America post-9/11.
Keith's commitment to the United States military extended beyond music. He toured overseas on 11 USO visits and wrote heartfelt songs like "American Soldier" to pay tribute to the men and women serving our nation.
Throughout his career, Toby Keith raised millions for charity, contributing to building a home for children and families fighting cancer in Oklahoma City. He played at numerous events for Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump, with the latter bestowing him with the National Medal of the Arts in 2021.
Toby Keith leaves behind his loving wife, Tricia, three children, and four grandchildren.
Janelle Ash, an entertainment writer for Digital, brings you this heartwarming story. Send your story tips to [email protected] if you have a story to share about our departed legend, Toby Keith.
- Toby Keith's dream of seeing one of his thoroughbreds race in the Kentucky Derby was realized with Render Judgment's entry in the 2025 event, marking Dream Walkin' Farms' debut.
- Reflecting on his love for horse racing, trainer Kenny McPeck revealed that Keith cherished thoroughbred racing more than his music.
- In an interview before his passing, Toby Keith expressed his ambition to win the Kentucky Derby, stating it was the pinnacle of racing dreams.
- As a testament to his legacy, Toby Keith, a celebrated country music artist, received the National Medal of the Arts in 2021 from President Trump.
