12th Annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala Brings Celebrities, Southern Charm, and Philanthropy to the Kentucky Derby Weekend
Unbridled Eve Derby Gala wows with Kentucky flair and global appeal
LOUISVILLE, KY -- On Friday, May 2, Unbridled Charitable Foundation presented its 12th annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala in Louisville, bringing celebrities, Southern charm, and philanthropy to the Kentucky Derby weekend. The event took place at The Galt House Hotel, located at 140 N Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
Hosts and co-founders Tonya York and Tammy York-Day were joined by Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, Lamar Jackson, Yung Gravy, Gary Clark Jr., Nora Roberts, Marc Martel, Parmalee’s Matt Thomas, DJ Mr. Mixx, Warren Moon, Bob Guiney, and many more. (Full talent list below.)
Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
An official Kentucky Derby event, the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala is a world-class, star-studded celebration that attracts local and national business leaders, horse racing professionals, and celebrities from film, television, music, comedy, and sports. The evening showcases Southern hospitality, elegance, and top-tier entertainment.
Proceeds benefit a wide range of charitable causes, including long-time beneficiary Blessings in a Backpack, which combats childhood hunger by providing food to elementary school students on weekends. Additional donations will support more than a dozen other nonprofit organizations.
The Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Inc. and Unbridled Eve were co-founded by Tonya York and Tammy York-Day.
Follow the event on social media: Facebook and Instagram (#UnbridledEve)
Media
Download red carpet images via Getty (photos updated throughout the evening): Getty Images – 12th Annual Unbridled Eve Gala (Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
Featured Musical Performances
Wang Chung – Jack Hues (Co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist; Grammy nominee)
Parmalee – Matt Thomas (Lead singer, guitarist; Grammy nominee)
Richie Sambora – Legendary Bon Jovi guitarist and Grammy winner
Marc Martel – Iconic Freddie Mercury vocal impersonator
Calloway – Reggie and Vincent Calloway; Grammy nominees
John Glosson – Gospel and country vocalist; finalist on ABC’s Duets
J.D. Shelburne – Nationally rising country music star
The Crashers – Renowned party band that has shared stages with Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith, and more
DJ Mr. Mixx – Co-founder of 2 Live Crew; Grammy nominee
Musicians & Celebrities Attendees
Yung Gravy – Rapper with 4.9M+ monthly Spotify listeners
Gary Clark Jr. – Four-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
Lamar Jackson – NFL Quarterback
Skip Martin – Kool & The Gang, Dazz Band; Grammy winner
Mike Mills – R.E.M. co-founder; Grammy winner
Johnny Edwards – Former lead singer of Foreigner
Nora Roberts – Best-selling author
Tyrus Murdoch – Fox News personality, former wrestler
Warren Moon – NFL Hall of Famer
John Schneider – The Dukes of Hazzard, The Masked Singer
Abbie Stockard – Miss America 2025
Bob Guiney – The Bachelor, Deal or No Deal, iHeart podcast host
Michael Blackson – Next Friday, Meet the Blacks
Festus Ezeli – NBA Champion, Golden State Warriors
Aron Haddad – Actor/professional wrestler
Rob Angel – Creator of Pictionary
Jean Cruguet – Triple Crown-winning jockey
John Velazquez – 3-time Kentucky Derby winner
Dr. Nicholas Nikolov – Celebrity plastic surgeon
Erica Rose – The Bachelor, Bachelor Pad
Michael Eaves – ESPN SportsCenter anchor
Mike Smith – Hall of Fame jockey and Triple Crown winner
Sandy Hawley, Mike Manganello, Florent Geroux, Luan Machado, Sophie Doyle, Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley, Steve Cauthen – Prominent jockeys and racing legends
Local VIPs & Community Leader Attendees
Jeff Brohm – Head Football Coach, University of Louisville
Conor O’Driscoll – Master Distiller, Heaven Hill
Brent Elliott – Master Distiller, Four Roses
Chapel Tinius – Miss Kentucky 2024
Connor Perry – Miss Kentucky USA 2024
Dr. Ajmal Zemmar – VA Neurosurgery Chair; featured in After Death
Vince Emmett – Producer of Reagan
Chris Blandford – Adult Beverage Expert
Ethan the Dog – Compassion Ambassador
Heather French Henry – Former Miss America
Michael Bush – Former NFL running back
Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
Laura Sharpe – Artists for Trauma
Event Hosts
Tonya York and Tammy York-Day – Co-founders and hosts
Ben Jackey and Carissa Lawson – Red Carpet Hosts
Nick Ferrara – Emcee
Specialty Bars Sponsors
Blue Run Spirits, Castle & Key, Chicken Cock Whiskey, Four Roses, Ignition Bourbon, Whiskey Thief, Lily May Bourbon, William Grant & Sons, Heaven Hill, Cornbread Hemp, Sonoma-Cutrer, Decoy Red Blend
Major Sponsors
Kathy and Wayne Richards, William Grant & Sons, Nora Roberts Foundation, Churchill Downs, Inc., Home Depot Foundation, Dillard’s, Ronaldo Designer Jewelry, Galt House Hotel, The Al J. Schneider Foundation, Genesis Diamonds, Pinnacle Live
Event Partners
Millennium Events & Floral, Cambium Marketing, dRAE Media, Mac in a Snap, Quint Events, Greater Louisville Inc., Best Version Media, Chris’ Pick!, Distilled Living, Jockey’s Guild, LRS102, Men’s Wearhouse, Oasis Mobile Hydration, Shirley’s Way, United Direct Solutions, V.G. Reed & Sons, Barry Wooley Designs, York Management Inc.
About Unbridled Charitable Foundation
Unbridled Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Tonya York and Tammy York Day. We support multiple charities, including Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food to school children on the weekends. We also connect sponsors and attendees directly with Unbridled Eve charities they have an interest in supporting. In 2023, we donated to 15 charities including Alley Cat Advocates, APRON, Inc., ElderServe, Feeding Tampa Bay, Hildegard House, KY Humane Society, KY State Police Trooper Island Camp, Medella House, Inc., Miracle League of Louisville, Roo’s Wish, Second Stride, Inc., Super Student Athletes, Sycamore Farm KY, Inc., Winter HAYven, and our primary beneficiary, Blessings in a Backpack.
For more information, visit unbridledeve.com.
Media Contact
Soozie Eastman
media@unbridledeve.com
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SOURCE: Unbridled Charitable Foundation
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