4 racy (get it?) Kentucky Derby ice sculpture designs

my newest Kentucky Derby ice sculpture design

the Run for the Roses

Known as the “greatest two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby has a long history as the biggest horse race in the U.S., and maybe beyond. This year (2024) is the 150th running, which is pretty damn impressive. I’m not always a fan of the high stakes environment that forces horses to be athletes for our entertainment (and gambling addictions), but I’ve loved horses since I was a small child. So even though I’m a bit conflicted, I still follow the Derby and the Triple Crown with interest.

my history with Kentucky Derby ice sculptures

I used to do a lot more Kentucky Derby ice sculptures. That’s because, in the early days of my ice sculpting career, one of the places I worked with closely was a race track in New Mexico, the Downs at Santa Fe. (Nowadays, the Downs are still there, but they don’t race horses there anymore.) So Derby Day was kind of a big deal for me then.

However, these days, only occasionally will I make a Kentucky Derby ice sculpture. (I don’t have any scheduled for this year, 2024.) The Derby horse ice luge was the most recent of these. That was for a private event. And then the rose cup was not that long ago as well; that was for a casino party.

I SUPPOSE, that since Churchill Downs, the site for the Derby, also currently owns the New Orleans Fair Grounds, that I should approach them about maybe getting a Kentucky Derby ice sculpture once in a while. However, a complicating factor is that Jazz Fest and the Kentucky Derby often overlap. And Jazz Fest happens AT the Fair Grounds. Practically nobody in New Orleans is thinking about the Derby when Jazz Fest is going on 🎶🤪🎷

all my Kentucky Derby ice sculpture designs, so far

I know, it’s kind of a paltry list, but here’s what’s on the site right now:

Derby horse ice luge
horse head
rearing horse
rose cup

I can do better, and I’ll either add some more designs later or figure out how some of my old designs can be adapted for the Derby. I’m just happy to get this post up before the horses leave the starting gate this year 🤪

this is my newest Kentucky Derby ice sculpture design. Also, it’s the most complex, with intricate color details and a luge.

Derby horse ice luge

I created my Derby horse ice luge for a private party at an apartment in New Orleans. It’s not a super easy piece, but also maybe not as tough as it looks.

this is probably my oldest Kentucky Derby ice sculpture design. Interesting to see in this pic that my horse head sculpting was pretty good, but evidently I had trouble with straight lines and snowfill engraving 😬 Maybe I was in a rush 🤷‍♂️

horse head

This horse head design is an elegant and adaptable design for whatever Derby event you have going on. Just replace my bad snowfill engraving with whatever wording or logo you desire.

As an aside, an interesting give away for old ice sculpture photos, besides the often poor quality to begin with, is that the lighting often has a yellow tint. That’s because it’s usually fluorescent underlighting, rather than LED (which are often bluish, in contrast). This horse head is definitely one of my older designs and this is an OLD pic. I think it survives in my catalog simply because I did a decent job on the horse head (but nothing else).

I guess this could be a stretch as a Kentucky Derby ice sculpture. But it is very horsey, so here you go.

rearing horse

Just pretend one of the Derby horses got away from its jockey, shed its saddle and bridle, and is running around Churchill Downs like a wild mustang 😱 Then this rearing horse design will fit right in at your Derby Day events.

the new rose cup design rounds out my Kentucky Derby ice sculpture collection

rose cup

The rose cup is not so much a cup as a pedestal, like pretty much all the ice vases you’ll see these days. I made it for a casino Derby Day event.

what are AI's ideas for Kentucky Derby ice sculptures?

Like I’ve done for other busy ice sculpting days, I asked ChatGPT 3.5 (4.0 wasn’t working right), “What are some ice sculpture ideas for the Kentucky Derby?”

This is what 3.5 thinks:

Creating ice sculptures for the Kentucky Derby can be a fun and creative way to celebrate the event. Here are some ideas:

Horse and Jockey: Sculpt an intricate ice replica of a horse and jockey racing towards the finish line. You can capture the dynamic movement of the race with flowing lines and details like the jockey’s racing silks.
Derby Hat: Fashion a large, elaborate derby hat out of ice, complete with intricate designs and embellishments. This could be a whimsical and visually striking centerpiece for the event.
Mint Julep: Craft an oversized ice sculpture of the iconic mint julep cocktail, complete with a garnish of fresh mint leaves and a decorative straw. It’s a refreshing nod to the traditional Derby beverage.
Horseshoe: Carve a large horseshoe out of ice, symbolizing good luck and fortune for the race participants. You can add details like horseshoe nails and a glossy finish to enhance its realism.
Churchill Downs: Recreate a miniature version of the Churchill Downs racetrack out of ice, complete with grandstands, the iconic twin spires, and a miniature racetrack. This could be a stunning homage to the historic venue.
Derby Roses: Sculpt a beautiful arrangement of roses out of ice, inspired by the garland of roses awarded to the winner of the Kentucky Derby. You can showcase intricate details like delicate petals and swirling vines.
Racing Silks: Create miniature replicas of racing silks out of ice, featuring vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Arrange them on a display to represent the diverse array of racing stables participating in the event.
Trophy: Craft a replica of the Kentucky Derby trophy out of ice, complete with engraved details and a gleaming finish. This could serve as a majestic focal point for the festivities.

Remember to consider the logistics of creating and displaying ice sculptures, such as ensuring they remain frozen throughout the event and providing proper lighting to enhance their beauty. With these ideas, you can add a touch of elegance and excitement to your Kentucky Derby celebration! (end of ChatGPT text)

I thought that was pretty useful. I was curious what it would say if I asked again. Would it be much different? Here’s what it said (just the list without the lead in this time):

Derby Horse and Jockey: Create an intricate ice sculpture depicting a thoroughbred horse and its jockey mid-race, capturing the excitement and energy of the event.
Twin Spires: Sculpt a detailed replica of the iconic twin spires of Churchill Downs out of ice, symbolizing the rich history and tradition of the Kentucky Derby.
Mint Julep Ice Luge: Carve a large ice sculpture in the shape of a traditional mint julep glass with a twisting channel running through it, allowing guests to pour their drinks down the luge for a refreshing sip.
Derby Hat Parade: Showcase an array of sculpted ice derby hats, each with its unique design and flair, paying homage to the fashion and style of Derby Day.
Racing Track: Construct a miniature ice sculpture of the Churchill Downs racetrack complete with tiny horses racing around the track, providing a captivating focal point for the event.
Garland of Roses: Craft a delicate ice sculpture resembling the garland of roses awarded to the winner of the Kentucky Derby, showcasing intricate floral details and elegance.
Horseshoe Archway: Create a grand archway made of interlocking horseshoes sculpted from ice, inviting guests to pass through and enter into the Derby Day festivities.
Derby Logo Ice Carving: Carve the official Kentucky Derby logo out of ice, showcasing the event’s branding and adding a touch of sophistication to the decor. (end of ChatGPT text)

So definitely similar, but I still got a couple more ideas. Not bad. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t give me some ideas for future designs. Some of them are stupid and ridiculously impractical, sure. But a few are innovative and clever. About matching what you’d probably get from actual people 🤣 Or me, even, lol.

links etc.

Well, that’s about it for my ideas on Kentucky Derby ice sculptures, for now at least. I’d think that I’ll come up with some more designs fairly soon. I really want to work on that miniature horse track with the tiny horses that ChatGPT came up with 🤣🤣 Yes, that would work great! 🙄 (Ok, that’s enough picking on the AI. They have feelings too.) Actually though, I do have some cool ideas rolling around in my head for the future, and I’d be lying if I said that ChatGPT didn’t help shape those ideas.

But I didn’t mention another great source of ideas for more Kentucky Derby ice sculptures: YOU. If you have what you think is a great idea, but maybe you don’t know how or don’t have time to make it happen, mention it in the comments. (Trust me, it won’t get lost in a sea of suggestions 🤣) Maybe WE can make it happen together. I can’t tell you how many times short conversations with other ice sculptors or ice enthusiasts have led to great ideas and great ice sculptures.

Anyway, this collection of Kentucky Derby ice sculptures joins my other roundup posts like the ones for Mother’s Day, Easter, Halloween, New Year’s, and more… And as I’ve said a MILLION (exaggeration 🙄) times before, you might find pics or stuff from this post on facebook, IG, or TikTok. (Screw X for now; that guy that makes the electric cars and wants to go to Mars is a visionary, but he’s a bit whacked!) At a minimum, definitely check out my TikToks before the whole site gets banned 😉