The 143rd Kentucky Derby marked by the victory of Always Dreaming
St. Imier (Switzerland) / Louisville, KY (USA), May 6, 2017 – Longines, the Official Timekeeper of the Triple Crown, was proud to celebrate the victory of Always Dreaming in the Kentucky Derby, the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.
The Swiss watch brand awarded Always Dreaming’s owner, trainer and jockey with elegant timepieces in front of the enthusiastic spectators gathered at Churchill Downs. On the occasion of this legendary race day, the watchmaker highlighted its chronograph Conquest 1/100th Horse Racing, created in tribute to Longines’ rich tradition in sports timekeeping.
As the Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Triple Crown, Longines was proud to be an integral part of the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby and support America’s greatest race. Following Always Dreaming’s superb victory in this legendary race, the Swiss watch brand Longines ceremoniously awarded owner, trainer and jockey with elegant watches. Always Dreaming, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, raced to victory, outrunning Looking At Lee in second place and Battle of Midway in third, after an exhilarating race. Earlier that day, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile presented by Longines was claimed by Roca Rojo, ahead of Believe in Bertie and Linda.
On the occasion of the Kentucky Derby weekend, Longines presented a model from The Longines DolceVita Collection, a line inspired by the Italian sweet life exuding contemporary elegance and femininity. Cased in steel and rose gold and decorated with diamonds, this timepiece displays a silver-coloured “flinqué” dial adorned with painted Roman numerals and is mounted a stainless steel bracelet.
For the gents, the Official Watch is the Conquest 1/100th Horse Racing, paying homage to all those passionate about flat racing and Longines’ rich tradition in sports timekeeping. The first traces of the involvement of Longines in equestrian sport, and especially in horse racing, dates back to 1878. It was at this time that the brand produced one of its most emblematic items, a chronograph engraved with the image of a jockey and his mount, which allowed performances to be timed to the second.
Caption for the first photo:
Charles Villoz, second right, Vice President of Longines, presents trainer Todd Fletcher, right, and owners Vinnie Viola, left, and Anthony Bonomo with their Conquest Classic collection timepieces after their horse Always Dreaming won the 143rd Kentucky Derby, on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Longines, the Swiss watch manufacturer known for its luxury timepieces, is the Official Watch and Timekeeper of the 143rd annual Kentucky Derby. (Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Longines)
