Elegance celebrated in grand style at the 143rd Longines Kentucky Oaks
Elegance celebrated in grand style at the 143rd Longines Kentucky Oaks
The Swiss watch brand Longines was proud to be the Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of the Longines Kentucky Oaks, held on the day before the Kentucky Derby. The featured Group 1 race for 3-year old fillies was claimed by Abel Tasman, and the winning connections were presented with Longines timepieces from the Conquest collection. Fourth highest attended horse race in the United States – following the Triple Crown legs also timed by Longines – the Longines Kentucky Oaks is also renowned for the elegance of its audience, as well as its inimitable Fashion Contest, during which the lady with the most stylish look is rewarded. The panel of judges comprised this year Longines Ambassador of Elegance and women’s tennis icon Stefanie Graf, who added to the glamour of the event.
As the Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby weekend, Longines had the pleasure to be an integral part of the 143rd running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks, America’s premier and most lucrative race for 3-year old fillies. At the end of an exhilarating race, Abel Tasman crossed the finish line ahead of Daddys Lil Darling and Lockdown. To mark Abel Tasman’s victory, the brand rewarded owners Teo Ah Khing, representing the China Horse Club and Bernard Clearly, representing Clearsky Farms, trainer Bob Baffert, and jockey Mike Smith with elegant timepieces from the Conquest collection.
Additionally, Longines hosted its annual inimitable Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest to celebrate the elegance and glamorous style surrounding the legendary event. The fashionable ladies strutted down the runway for an elite panel of judges, comprising Longines Ambassador of Elegance Stefanie Graf. The women’s tennis icon, together with style influencer Sam White, radio host, model and lifestyle influencer Courtney Sixx and American actress Jill Connacre Connick selected the most elegant woman and awarded her a refined timepiece from the Longines DolceVita collection, a line inspired by the Italian sweet life.
This model, the featured watch of the Longines Kentucky Oaks, is cased in steel and rose gold and decorated with diamonds. Displaying a silver-coloured "flinqué" dial adorned with painted Roman numerals, the timepiece is mounted on a stainless steel bracelet. For the gents, the Official Watch is the Conquest 1/100th Horse Racing, paying homage to all those passionate about flat racing and Longines’ rich tradition in sports timekeeping. The first traces of the brand’s involvement in equestrian sport date back to 1878, when Longines produced one of its most emblematic items, a watch engraved with the image of a jockey and his mount. Seen on American racetracks as early as 1881 and extremely popular among jockeys and horse-lovers, this model enabled its user to time performances to the seconds.
