Official Poster & Artist Statement

Buy the Poster

The Governor’s Kentucky Derby Celebration 2006 poster can be purchased for $20 from the Kentucky Historical Society’s 1792 Store at http://store.kentucky.gov/kyhs/

About the Artist

John S. Hockensmith, artist, businessman, and photographer, was born October 13th, 1954, in Cynthiana, Kentucky. He studied art for two years at Georgetown College and then began his professional career in Frankfort in 1975. As a photographer for more than 30 years, he has consistently pursued the fine arts and exhibited paintings, sculptures and photographs in museums and galleries across the commonwealth.

Various works of his art are in collections throughout the United States as well as other countries. His first book, Gypsy Horses and the Travelers’ Way, is an epic pictorial and a colorful monograph about the traditional Gypsy horse and the Road to Appleby Fair that falls on the first weekend in June in northern England.

About the Artwork

Dawn of a New Derby is a glimpse behind the gates in the days that lead up to the most exciting two minutes in sports. This artistic montage conveys the warmth, work and will to win that leads up to the first Saturday in May. With the completion of the new facilities at Churchill Downs, The Kentucky Derby is now, more than ever, the most exciting two minutes in sports. As the 3-year-olds saddle up in the Paddock and the call to the post is a resounding “My Old Kentucky Home,” the 150,000 spectators and millions of television viewers eagerly await another great moment in sports history.