LEXINGTON, KY – Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – Keeneland Race Course and Maker’s Mark, the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon, today announced the second bottle in the “Greats of the Gate” 10-year commemorative bottle series celebrating Thoroughbred racing’s most iconic horses. Proceeds from each year’s limited-edition bottle benefit nonprofits that support Kentucky’s horse racing industry and vibrant culture of hospitality and the arts.
The limited-edition bottle will arrive on shelves on April 11th – the same day as the prestigious $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) during Keeneland’s Spring Meet. The bottle will be available exclusively at select Kentucky retailers that sell Maker’s Mark with a suggested retail price of $179.99. The 2025 “Greats of the Gate” bottle will honor the legendary racehorse Lexington, who competed from 1853 to 1855, winning six of seven races, and was famously sold to stud for the highest price ever paid for an American racehorse at the time.
“The ‘Greats of the Gate’ series is a unique opportunity to honor the legendary horses who shaped the sport while also supporting the organizations that allow Kentucky’s culture to thrive,” said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and Managing Director, Maker’s Mark. “We’re incredibly proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Keeneland, which has deep roots in Kentucky’s horse racing heritage and whose patrons enjoyed the very first Maker’s Mark cocktails in the 1950s.”
The bottle features an illustration by Kentucky artist Tyler Robertson with artwork wrapping around the bottle in orange and black – the racing silks colors of Lexington. The bottle’s crown will be dipped in bright orange wax and topped with a white silk ribbon. Every bottle will include a certificate of authenticity signed by Maker’s Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels; Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin; renowned artist Tyler Robertson; and Bret Jones, President of Airdrie Stud, and a descendant of the horse’s owners.
“Keeneland and Maker’s Mark share a mission of service and philanthropy that benefits both the horse industry and our community,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are proud the commemorative bottles continue to be both a prized collectors’ item for our fans and a successful fundraiser for so many worthwhile organizations.”
Proceeds from the commemorative bottle will benefit the nonprofits Kentucky Classic Arts by providing support for musical theatre performance opportunities for Central Kentucky; Kentucky Harvest by expanding their food rescue and donation efforts across the Commonwealth; Kentucky Arts Center of the Bluegrass providing free entry to guests for the museum along with arts programming; and Blue Grass Farms Charities through building a new pantry opening this summer at The Thoroughbred Center.
Over the course of the 10 years, Keeneland and Maker’s Mark are committed to raising $4 million for various Kentucky nonprofit organizations through this bottle series.
For more information, please visit www.makersmark.com and www.keeneland.com.
