Louisville, Kentucky, January 13, 2026
The Kentucky Derby Festival has crowned its 2026 Royal Court, featuring five accomplished young women who will serve as ambassadors for Louisville and the festival. The announcement marks the start of Derby season preparations and highlights the academic and civic achievements of these participants. Each member of the Royal Court will receive two scholarships worth a total of $2,000, with the Queen to be selected at the annual Fillies Derby Ball. This longstanding tradition has celebrated young women since the 1950s.
Louisville, Kentucky – 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court Crowned
The Kentucky Derby Festival has unveiled its Royal Court for 2026, selecting five young women to serve as official ambassadors for the festival, Louisville, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The announcement took place at Mall St. Matthews on Monday, marking the commencement of Derby season preparations.
Meet the 2026 Royal Court
- Mallory Brown – A 22-year-old senior Presidential Scholar at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a degree in Biology. She hails from Bardstown, Kentucky.
- Vy Pham – A 21-year-old senior at the University of Louisville, majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. She is from Louisville, Kentucky.
- Sydney Shouse – A 22-year-old graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Communications and a minor in Military Leadership. She is currently pursuing an MBA at Eastern Kentucky University and is from Louisville, Kentucky.
- Tania Vergara-Gongora – A 20-year-old junior at Bellarmine University, studying Marketing with minors in Marketing Communications and Broadcasting, Production & Performance. She is from Louisville, Kentucky.
- Brianna Williams – A 24-year-old Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Diversity and Inequality. She is a second-year PhD student pursuing a degree in Educational Psychology, Measurement, and Evaluation. She is from Louisville, Kentucky.
Scholarships and Upcoming Events
Each princess will receive two scholarships, each worth $1,000, totaling $2,000. The Queen of the Royal Court will be selected by a random spin of the wheel at the annual Fillies Derby Ball on March 28, 2026, at the Omni Louisville Hotel. This event is a longstanding tradition that marks the official start of Derby season preparations.
Background on the Royal Court Program
The Royal Court is among the oldest traditions of the Kentucky Derby Festival, dating back to the 1950s. The program celebrates the state’s most civic-minded and academically achieving college students. Each year, exceptional young women are chosen to serve as ambassadors for the festival and the community. The court attends nearly 70 events during the two-week period leading up to the Kentucky Derby. The queen is selected by a spin of the wheel at the Annual Fillies Derby Ball, a method considered the most fair way to select from their court. This tradition continues today.
About the Kentucky Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces the civic celebration preceding the Kentucky Derby. The festival includes a variety of events, such as Thunder Over Louisville, the Pegasus Parade, and the Great Steamboat Race, leading up to the Kentucky Derby. For more information about the festival and its events, visit the official website.
Key Features of the 2026 Royal Court Announcement
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Announcement of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court |
| Date | January 12, 2026 |
| Location | Mall St. Matthews, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Number of Princesses | Five |
| Scholarship Amount per Princess | $2,000 |
| Queen Selection Method | Random spin of the wheel at the Fillies Derby Ball on March 28, 2026 |
| Royal Court Program Start Date | January 12, 2026 |
| Royal Court Program Tradition Start Date | 1950s |
| Number of Events Attended by Court | Nearly 70 during the two-week period leading up to the Kentucky Derby |
| Selection Criteria for Court Members | Knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality, academic excellence, and campus/community involvement |
| Queen Selection Method | Spin of the wheel at the Annual Fillies Derby Ball |
| Official Website for More Information | https://kdf.org/ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who are the members of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court?
The 2026 Royal Court consists of Mallory Brown, Vy Pham, Sydney Shouse, Tania Vergara-Gongora, and Brianna Williams.
How are the members of the Royal Court selected?
Members are chosen based on criteria including knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality, academic excellence, and campus/community involvement. Nearly 100 students applied, representing more than 15 colleges and universities from Kentucky, Indiana, and throughout the region. Finalists undergo a selection process, and five are chosen to serve as princesses.
What scholarships do the princesses receive?
Each princess receives two scholarships, each worth $1,000, totaling $2,000.
How is the Queen of the Royal Court selected?
The Queen is selected by a random spin of the wheel at the annual Fillies Derby Ball on March 28, 2026, at the Omni Louisville Hotel.
What is the history of the Royal Court program?
The Royal Court is among the oldest traditions of the Kentucky Derby Festival, dating back to the 1950s. The program celebrates the state’s most civic-minded and academically achieving college students, who serve as ambassadors for the festival and the community.
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