Hallmark Channel and Churchill Downs Unite for Kentucky Roses Movie

The Kentucky Derby is more than just a two-minute race. It’s spectacle, legacy, romance, and tradition—wrapped up in roses and those famously oversized hats.

Now, Hallmark Channel is leaning right into that magic with Kentucky Roses, a new original movie made in partnership with Churchill Downs. Filmed on location at the legendary venue, the movie weaves together romance, history, and family legacy in a way that feels like it was made for Hallmark fans and Derby devotees alike.

The Perfect Marriage of Hallmark and Churchill Downs

When two icons with so much history join forces, you can’t help but expect something big. Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs both thrive on emotional storytelling, traditions, and those moments that just feel larger than life.

Kentucky Roses is crafted to honor those roots. It’s a heartfelt story about community, courage, and rituals that have stood the test of time.

This isn’t just a movie with the Derby as a backdrop. It’s more of a love letter to all the traditions surrounding it—from the careful tending of the grounds to the garland of roses draped over each Derby champion.

Why This Partnership Feels Different

Most movies fake iconic places on soundstages, but Kentucky Roses was shot right at Churchill Downs. That authenticity? It really comes through.

• Real access to the Churchill Downs racetrack and grounds
• Authentic Derby traditions woven into the plot
• A story built around legacy, not just romance

A Love Story Told Across Two Timelines

What sets Kentucky Roses apart from the usual Hallmark fare is its dual-timeline approach. The story unfolds in both the present day and back in 1932, letting the past and present echo each other in surprisingly emotional ways.

This structure brings extra depth and a sense of fate that lingers over the whole film. You actually get to see how choices from long ago ripple forward and change lives in unexpected ways.

The Present-Day Storyline

Today, we meet Sadie Moore, played by Odette Annable. Sadie works in the Churchill Downs greenhouse, surrounded by flowers but wanting something more.

Her dream? To become a florist and, one day, help create the garland of roses for the Derby winner. That dream is tied to her great-grandmother, Gloria, whose legacy is never far from Sadie’s mind.

As Derby Day draws near, the pressure is on—both at work and at home. Then Ash Taylor enters the picture, played by Andrew Walker.

Ash, the CEO’s son, is sent to oversee emergency repairs to the historic Twin Spires after a storm. He’s capable, charismatic, and clearly feels the weight of his family name.

Sadie and Ash start to connect, and honestly, it just feels right. Still, there’s a secret between their families that neither of them saw coming.

The 1932 Storyline

The historical thread takes us back to 1932, where we see a bittersweet romance that shadows everything to come. Gloria’s story is both a warning and an inspiration to Sadie.

By weaving these two eras together, Kentucky Roses explores how love, ambition, and sacrifice always seem to stick around, no matter how much the world changes.

A Cast Built for Hallmark Royalty Status

Hallmark fans will spot plenty of familiar faces. The casting just feels right—balancing beloved regulars with actors who can really deliver the emotion this story needs.

Meet the Leading Players

• Andrew Walker as Ash Taylor, from Three Wisest Men and She’s Making a List
• Odette Annable as Sadie Moore, known for Supergirl and Walker
• Ally Ledford as Gloria, Sadie’s great-grandmother
• Peyton Meyer, familiar from Girl Meets World and Days of Our Lives
• Brynn Thayer, whose credits include Fatal Attraction and Suits
• Gregg Henry as Henry, the Churchill Downs CEO, seen in Gilmore Girls and Guardians of the Galaxy

This ensemble brings both warmth and depth. It’s a cast that’ll resonate with longtime Hallmark viewers and newcomers drawn in by the Derby magic.

The Kentucky Derby as a Character

Churchill Downs isn’t just a backdrop here—it’s almost a living character. From the greenhouse where Sadie works to those iconic Twin Spires, every inch of the racetrack is loaded with meaning.

The film really leans into the Derby’s pageantry, celebrating:

• The fashion, especially those wild hats
• The rituals that make the Derby what it is
• The sense of community that draws people back year after year

The movie gets it: what fans love most isn’t just the race. It’s the whole world that comes with it.

Legacy, Identity, and Choosing Your Own Path

At its core, Kentucky Roses is about legacy—how we honor the past while trying to carve out our own future. Sadie and Ash both feel the heavy expectations of their families.

Sadie wants to live up to her great-grandmother’s memory, but she’s also desperate to find her own way. Ash is trying to step out from his father’s shadow, all while staying true to the place that shaped him.

It really boils down to this: how do you honor where you come from without losing yourself?

When and Where to Watch

Production wrapped last year, and fans have been buzzing ever since. Hallmark Channel has set the premiere for May 2, 2026—right in the heart of Derby season.

With that timing, it’ll feel like a natural part of the celebration. If you love the Derby, or just a good story about family and tradition, this one’s probably worth a spot on your calendar.

Why Kentucky Roses Could Be a Hallmark Classic

There’s something about Kentucky Roses that just feels right for Hallmark. The setting is lush, and the storytelling doesn’t rush—every emotion feels earned.

It manages to respect tradition without slipping into clichés. The romance has actual depth, which isn’t always a given in this genre.

If you’re into sweeping love stories or just love the buzz around the Kentucky Derby, this film’s got a vibe that’s both familiar and a bit unexpected.

Honestly, I think people might tune in for the romance, but they’ll stick around for the roses and the sense of legacy. Some traditions just have a way of sticking with you, don’t they?