Champion Gymnast Livvy Dunne, Ex-MLB Star Jayson Werth to Host Oaks, Derby Festivities in Sports Illustrated's Club SI

Feb 25, 2025

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.

 

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

 

ABOUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

For 70 years, Sports Illustrated (SI) has been recognized for shaping modern culture at the intersection of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. SI is a 360-degree platform that unites athletes, teams and fans worldwide through quality content, innovative digital experiences, unforgettable events, and original products. Its award-winning media arm brings powerful storytelling to life through probing profiles and up-to-date news on SI.com, across social media platforms, and through its renowned print magazine whose cover is widely regarded as the most coveted space in sports media. The most trusted name in sports transcends media through SI Tickets, a fan-first ticketing platform, SI Resorts, the ultimate destination for active lifestyles & sports enthusiasts, SI Studios, the brand’s home for film, TV, and long form podcasts, and more. SI brings its unique perspective to marquee events and captivating brand activations including “SI The Party”, Club SI, the Sportsperson of the Year Awards, SI Swimsuit Launch Weekend, and the SI Circuit Series.

For more information, visit SI.com. Follow Sports Illustrated on X, Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook.

 

ABOUT AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a unified platform that integrates M&A, licensing, brand strategy and digital innovation to unlock the power of its global portfolio. It connects iconic sports, lifestyle, entertainment and media brands with best-in-class partners to optimize long-term value in the marketplace. Authentic owns more than 50 global brands, generating approximately $32 billion in annual retail sales. These brands have a significant presence in 150 countries, with more than 13,000 freestanding stores and shop-in-shops, as well as 400,000 points of sale worldwide. Authentic’s  portfolio of globally recognized brands includes Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Reebok, Champion, Nautica, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Sports Illustrated, Eddie Bauer, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Quiksilver, Billabong, Sperry, Hunter and Ted Baker. Through its joint venture with Saks Global, Authentic Luxury Group (ALG), it drives growth for luxury and accessible luxury brands, including Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Hervé Léger, Vince, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH.

For more information, visit authentic.com. Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and WeChat.

 

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