Unbridled Eve Set for May 1 Fun and Fundraising

The 13th Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, a Kentucky Derby Official Event, promises to bring their traditional grace, glamour, charm, hospitality and fun to Derby Eve!

The party celebrates the best in spirits, embraces world-renowned musical
performers, celebrities and the most powerful brands.

The musical lineup for the gala, held May 1 at the Galt House Hotel, is as eclectic as it is
exciting. Performers will include Richie Sambora, former guitarist and songwriter for Bon Jovi; Phillip Phillips, singer-songwriter and winner of American Idol; Sugarhill Gang, pioneering hip-hop group behind “Rapper’s Delight”; John Elefante, former lead singer of the rock band Kansas; Lorrie Morgan, award-winning country music star; Elliot Lurie, lead singer of the band Looking Glass; and Johnny Edwards, former lead vocalist of Foreigner.

Locally grown entertainers The Crashers return to the gala stage, while DJ 2nd Nature rounds out the evening as the late-night DJ. A special addition to this year’s lineup, the All-Star Jam will bring a mix of the evening’s musical guests together on stage for a high-energy, quick-hit collaboration of fan-favorite songs.

Celebrity guests will include Anthony Ramos, acclaimed actor, producer and recording artist; Gina Torres, acclaimed actress known for roles in television and film such as “Suits” and “Firefly”; Andrea Canning, correspondent for Dateline NBC; Danica McKellar, actress and bestselling author; Melissa Joan Hart, actress and producer; Griffin Johnson, entrepreneur and social media personality; Nora Roberts, bestselling author of more than 200 novels; Zach Randolph, former NBA All-Star; and 2026 Miss America Cassie Donegan.
Kentucky-based guests include University of Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm, Dallas
McGarity, acclaimed Kentucky chef and restaurateur, and Harry Douglas, former NFL wide
receiver and sports analyst.

“Race times may change, but one thing will not – Unbridled Eve will continue to be an
unforgettable experience," said Tammy York-Day and Tonya York, co-founders of the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala and the Unbridled Charitable Foundation. “We have an unmatched lineup of top musical acts, as well as stars from stage, screen, sports, and new media. It’s all possible thanks to a family of volunteers, valued partners, and supportive sponsors, both long-time and new. For this one night, we bring people from around to the world to our old Kentucky home to showcase the best our community has to offer, while helping those in our community who need it most.”

Unbridled Eve will once again feature exciting raffle experiences alongside its renowned and highly anticipated silent auction which can be accessed at
https://unbridledeve.com/2026auction/. One raffle, closing the night of the event, features a stunning Genesis Diamonds diamond ring. The second raffle will remain open until after the gala, offering the chance to win a VIP 2027 Thunder Galt House Suite experience. Both raffles provide unique opportunities to take home unforgettable prizes while supporting the Unbridled Charitable Foundation.

Proceeds, public relations, and ancillary events from the Gala support numerous charities
selected by the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. The primary
beneficiary for 2026 is once again Blessings in a Backpack, whose mission is to mobilize
communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.

The night is made possible by sponsors Kathy and Wayne Richards, William Grant & Sons, Nora Roberts Foundation, Bridleberry Leather Tack Co., Churchill Downs, Inc., Dillard’s, Ronaldo Designer Jewelry, Galt House Hotel, The Al J. Schneider Foundation, Genesis Diamonds, Pinnacle Live and numerous specialty bar partners.

Unbridled is also supported by Millennium Events & Floral, Cambium Marketing, dRAE Media, Mac in a Snap, One Louisville, Best Version Media, Chris’ Pick!, Distilled Living, Jockey’s Guild, El Toro IP Targeting, Leadership Louisville, LRS102, Men’s Warehouse, Shirley’s Way, United Direct Solutions, V.G. Reed & Sons, Barry Wooley Designs and York Management, Inc.

Performers/Musical Guests:
 Phillip Phillips – singer-songwriter and winner of American Idol
 Richie Sambora – guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist of
Bon Jovi, Grammy winner
 John Elefante – Grammy-winning former lead singer of Kansas
 Sugarhill Gang – pioneering hip-hop group best known for “Rapper’s Delight”
 Elliot Lurie – lead singer of Looking Glass; “Brandy”
 Orianthi – Australian guitarist and singer known for her work with Michael Jackson and
Alice Cooper, and for her hit “According to You”
 Lorrie Morgan – award-winning country music star
 Johnny Edwards – rock vocalist best known as a former lead singer of Foreigner
 The Crashers – one of the nation’s best party bands; have shared the stage with
several world-famous artists including Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith, and more!
 DJ 2 nd Nature
 All-Star Jam:
o Layla Spring – singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant
o JD Shelburne – Kentucky-based country artist known for high-energy
performances
o Bob Guiney – television personality and musician, known from The Bachelor;
Member of Band from TV
o John Schneider – actor and country singer best known for The Dukes of
Hazzard; Runner-up on Season 10 of “The Masked Singer”
o Alyssa & Wayne Brewer – bluegrass and gospel performers known for their
family band collaborations
o China Lacy – Singer/Former Member of Linkin’ Bridge
 Nat Myers – Korean-American blues poet
 Welcome Choir: Holy Spirit School Youth Choir

Sports:
 Warren Moon – NFL Hall of Famer
 Zach Randolph – former NBA All-Star
 Harry Douglas – ESPN Analyst
 Michael Eaves – Anchor, ESPN SportsCenter
 Bonnie-Jill Laflin – Actress, sportscaster, and NBA scout for the Los Angeles Lakers
 Aron Haddad – actor/pro wrestler
 Jeff Brohm – head football coach at the University of Louisville
 MacKenly Randolph – UofL Women’s Basketball starter
 Mario Urrutia – Former Cincinnati Bengals player and University of Louisville linebacker
 Valerie Combs – pioneering UofL Women’s Basketball player
 Jean Cruguet – former Triple Crown winner on Seattle Slew
 Michael Manganello – Hall of Fame KY Derby Winner on Dust Commander
 Sandy Hawley – Hall of Fame jockey
 Kaoru Tsuchiya Hawley – First Japanese female jockey
Other Celebrities/VIPs:
 Anthony Ramos – Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor and Grammy-winning
recording artist; “Hamilton”, “In the Heights”
 Gina Torres – “Suits”, “Firefly”
 Andrea Canning – Dateline NBC
 Griffin Johnson – part owner of 2026 KY Derby contender, Silent Tactic; Co-Founder of
venture capital firm Animal Capital; TikTok influencer
 Melissa Joan Hart – “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Clarissa Explains it All”, “Holiday in
Handcuffs”, “A Merry Little Exmas”
 Danica McKellar – actress, mathematician, and NY Times bestselling author; “The
Wonder Years”
 Nora Roberts – bestselling romance and suspense author
 John Schneider – “The Dukes of Hazzard”; “The Masked Singer”
 Cassie Donegan – Miss America 2026
 Bob Guiney – “The Bachelor”, host of “Deal or No Deal”, host of iHeart podcast, “Almost
Famous: the OG’s”
 Amanda Christine – “IT: Welcome to Derry”; “Black Box”
 Rob Angel – founder of Pictionary; author
 Dallas McGarity – Fat Lamb Chef and Owner; James Beard Award semifinalist
 David Domine – author of “A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City” which inspired the HBO
Original “Murder in Glitterball City”
 Nicolee Burks – Big Nita’s Cheesecakes
 Dr. Ajmal Zemmar – Renowned Neurosurgeon; featured in the documentary “After
Death”
 Holly Lynnea – comedian
 Vince Emmett – producer of “Reagan”
 Tom Mabe – comedian
 Chris Blandford – Adult Beverage Expert

 Ethan the Dog – compassion ambassador; inspired the film, EthanAlmighty
 Heather French Henry – former Miss America
 The Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
 Ben Jackey – Emmy-winning Unbridled Eve red carpet host
 Nick Ferrara – national host and emcee
 Tonya York/Tammy York – co-founders, Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
Specialty Bars:
 Aperol
 Castle & Key
 Chicken Cock Whiskey
 Divergent Spirits
 Four Roses
 Ignition Bourbon
 Whiskey Thief
 LILY MAY Bourbon
 William Grant & Sons
o Balvenie Scotch
o Milagro Tequila
o Hendrick’s Gin
 SKYY Vodka
 Tito’s Voda
 Heaven Hill
 M & O Spirits
 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay
 Decoy Red Blend and Brut
 Ale-8
 Mocktail Bar

Special Auction Items:
 Chicken Cock Full Barrel Selection: Grain and Barrel Spirits will be auctioning a full
barrel from their best hand selected Private Cask Bourbon Barrels. You may taste 3
different barrel offerings and choose your favorite! Once selected, you will have 180-220
bottles, fully cased, delivered to your doorstep. This includes a custom label with your
name on it. You can also choose to pick this up at Circa 1856, Chicken Cock
Whiskey's brand home.
 Richie Sambora Guitar and Lessons: Custom designed guitar with private guitar
lesson with Richie Sambora
 Crown Jewels: Jewelry is always a cornerstone of our auction, and we once again have
our custom designed bracelets from Ronaldo Jewelry, as well as other precious, semi-
precious and fun fashion items for women and men in sterling silver and 14k gold!
 Luxury and Unique Experiences: Some packages include an amazing vacation in a
five-bedroom Airbnb in historic New Orleans, an amazing Baltimore Ravens VIP
experience, and other sought out destinations and experiences around the world!