Country Legend Toby Keith’s Horse Stuns Kentucky Derby Crowd — Unexpected Entry Places 17th, Fans Say It’s a Tribute from Beyond the Grave

Toby Keith’s horse, Render Judgment, competed in the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025. (Photo Credits: Churchill Downs / Coady Media & Michael Hickey / Getty Images)

Toby Keith’s Passion For Horse Racing Was Second Only To His Love For Country Music

Singer, songwriter, horse breeder? Many fans may be surprised to learn that, along with building a flourishing country music career, Toby Keith oversaw a successful horse breeding and training operation for 30+ years. His daughter, Krystal Keith, said:

“My dad could never decide which passion was greater, music or horse racing. He could have had a PhD in horse pedigrees.” 

The late country music icon began owning race horses in the late 1990s and at his peak, had “several hundred” under his banner. Toby competed under Dream Walkin’ Farms, a 330-acre Oklahoma-based breeding and racing operation.

Later, in 2021, he established Country Bro Stables with Danny Caldwell. While his horses competed at various venues nationwide, Toby called Remington Park in Oklahoma City his home track.

Remington Park race track in Oklahoma City (via America’s Best Racing)

Toby Keith’s Kentucky Derby Dreams Realized

According to his family, having a horse in the Kentucky Derby was a lifelong dream for the late musician. When this year’s post positions were announced on April 26th, Toby’s team shared the thrilling news that his horse, Render Judgment, had made the cut!

Out of 20,000+ horses born in the same year who are eligible to race, only 20 get the opportunity. Prior to the draw, Render Judgment sat in the 21st rank on the leaderboard. However, he entered the draw due to an injury that caused another horse to pull out of the race.

The up-and-coming race horse is a three-year-old Bay Colt bred in Kentucky who is co-owned by Dream Walkin’ Farms. He was trained by Kenny McPeek, who also trained last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. Jockey Julien Leparoux rode Render Judgment for the first time at the race.

Render Judgement Places 17th In The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is one of the world’s most famous and prestigious horse races. Held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the race is often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

Render Judgment raced from the 15th post position, a position that has been favorable in the past and has resulted in multiple first-place starts.

Two horses, Rodriguez and Grande, were scratched from the competition before the race, so only 19 competed.

Render Judgment and the other horses had to race in less-than-pleasant conditions, as Louisville received a significant amount of rain throughout Friday and Saturday. The track was muddy and messy, yet the horses and jockeys powered through as they raced toward the finish line.

Additionally, Render Judgment had a quarter crack that opened on his left front hoof on Thursday, May 1. A quarter crack is a fissure in a horse’s hoof. Still, he was deemed able to participate in the race.

Ultimately, Render Judgment came in 17th place in the Kentucky Derby, while Sovereignty won.

Congratulations to Toby Keith, Dream Walkin’ Farms, and their team for this milestone achievement at the Kentucky Derby! Watch the end of the race in the video below.