It's off to the races with the Hallmark Channel and Andrew Walker and Odette Annable in Kentucky Roses!
While the Hallmark movie Hats Off to Love was also set at the Kentucky Derby, it was actually filmed in Florida. Kentucky Roses, however, was filmed last year at the iconic Churchill Downs in the beautiful bluegrass state of Kentucky. (For those who want to be more technical, Kentucky is officially a commonwealth.)
You can find more details on this exciting production, galloping onto the Hallmark Channel this May, in Hallmark’s official press release below…
See Andrew Walker's announcement video at the end of this post!
HALLMARK MEDIA AND
CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK
PARTNER ON
KENTUCKY ROSES
AN ALL-NEW ORIGINAL MOVIE
CELEBRATING THE PAGENTRY
OF KENTUCKY DERBY DAY,
PREMIERING MAY 2
ON HALLMARK CHANNEL
AND STREAMING NEXT DAY
ON HALLMARK+
ANDREW WALKER
AND
ODETTE ANNABLE
STAR ALONGSIDE
ALLY LEDFORD,
PEYTON MEYER,
BRYNN THAYER
AND GREGG HENRY
Film Includes Jewelry Collection Exclusively in Hallmark Gold Crown Stores
Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”) are proud to announce Kentucky Roses, an all-new original movie shot on location at the iconic Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby®. The movie stars Andrew Walker (Three Wisest Men, She’s Making a List) and Odette Annable (Supergirl, Walker), alongside Ally Ledford (His Nerd), Peyton Meyer (Girl Meets World, Days of Our Lives), Brynn Thayer (Fatal Attraction, Suits), and Gregg Henry (Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy), and celebrates the pageantry, tradition, and enduring spirit of the Kentucky Derby. The movie wrapped production last year and is set to premiere May 2, 2026 on Hallmark Channel, streaming next day on Hallmark+. The partnership continues in Hallmark Gold Crown stores with a collection of romantic jewelry inspired by the movie.
“Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs are both legacy brands, each with more than a hundred years of history. Additionally, we share a commitment to giving generations of fans a memorable experience that fosters deep connections,” remarked Jessica Callahan, Vice President at Hallmark Media. “Together, we’re thrilled to bring audiences an inspiring story of community, courage, and time-honored traditions.“
Kentucky Roses unfolds across two timelines—present day and 1932—at Churchill Downs. In present-day, Sadie Moore (Annable) works in the Churchill Downs greenhouse, dreaming of becoming a florist and one day contributing to the Derby’s garland of roses, just like her great-grandmother, Gloria (Ledford). As Derby Day approaches, Sadie meets Ash Taylor (Walker), the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO (Henry), who’s been asked to do an emergency repair on the iconic Twin Spires after a storm left one damaged. Both Sadie and Ash feel the weight of family legacy and the desire to carve out their own paths. Sparks fly, and their budding romance is complicated by a long-buried connection between their families—a bittersweet love story from the past that threatens to repeat itself.
Kentucky Roses is a Hallmark Media production.
# # #
ABOUT HALLMARK MEDIA
Owned and operated by Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hallmark Media is entertainment’s leading destination for feel-good content. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original movies, scripted series, and the popular annual holiday franchise, Countdown to Christmas. Hallmark Mystery features a unique mix of movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres, as well as its own seasonal programming event, Miracles of Christmas. Hallmark Family showcases timeless storytelling for the whole family centered around faith, love, and community. The company’s subscription streaming service and membership program, Hallmark+ offers a distinctive blend of all new, exclusive original series and movies, next-day access to Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery premieres, plus monthly discounts and rewards for shopping at Hallmark Gold Crown retail stores. For more information, please visit Corporate.HallmarkMedia.com.
ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK
Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY DERBY
The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the longest continually held major sporting event in North America and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, The Run for the Roses® and The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®, the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. The 152nd Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com.
Tickets for the 152nd Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 1-2 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com, or call (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet.
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Andrew Walker's announcement:
I love that this movie is set at the historic racetrack in Kentucky and was actually filmed at Churchill Downs. I'm already imagining how beautiful this setting will be on screen.
I remember Andrew sharing quite a few photos from the Derby last year, and now it’s clear he had even more reason to be enthusiastic- knowing he was filming this movie there!
Please share your thoughts on this movie in comments below. Are you familiar with Andrew's co-star, Annabelle?
I hope this May movie news brings you a little hope and warmth of Spring!
Happy movie-watching,
Net
