Budweiser Clydesdales Lap Around Churchill Downs Before 2019 Kentucky Derby
on May 02, 2019 • Updated Apr 06, 2023
The World’s Most Iconic Horses
In all the world, no horses are more recognizable than the Budweiser Clydesdales. The magnificent animals were first introduced to the public back in 1933, and have been beloved ever since.
They have famously appeared in commercials for the beer brand for decades, with many of those commercials being featured during the Super Bowl.
After a few years of releasing advertisements without its famous four-legged representatives, Budweiser brought the Clydesdales back for a new commercial that aired during the 2019 Super Bowl. Accompanied by Bob Dylan‘s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” the beautiful ad spotlighted the brand’s efforts to use wind energy to brew its products.
The commercial showed the horses trotting through a sunlit field of barley while their Dalmatian friend and fellow Budweiser mascot, April, rode along on their wagon.
But the Super Bowl isn’t the only sporting event the famous horses connected themselves to in 2019.
Honoring An American Tradition
In honor of the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Budweiser released a commercial celebrating the race’s 145th anniversary and its home at the Churchill Downs racetrack. The ad captures a historic moment, since it marks the first time the Clydesdales made a lap around Churchill Downs.
Considering how long the Clydesdales have been around, it’s crazy to think they previously never stepped foot on the iconic racetrack before.
Budweiser Clydesdales make lap around Churchill Downs in time for Kentucky Derby https://t.co/42ISNQvBsm pic.twitter.com/I0ZQfZRDUL
— FOX2now (@FOX2now) May 1, 2019
The commercial was filmed a week prior to the Derby, and shows the racetrack and the Clydesdales in all their glory. Zoomed in shots show the magnificent horses getting buckled up into their gear while audio clips from past Kentucky Derby races play over soaring music.
Text that flashes across the screen celebrates the tradition of the Kentucky Derby, with lines reading things such as “From one American icon to another.”
Finally, the Clydesdales and their Dalmatian buddy make their grand lap around the track to much fanfare.
You can check out the Clydesdales’ history-making first lap at Churchill Downs below. They looked so beautiful!
Even if you’ve never watched a single Kentucky Derby before, this marvelous clip is sure to tug at your heartstrings. It truly is a stunning work of art.
