12th Annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala Brings Celebrities, Southern Charm, and Philanthropy to the Kentucky Derby Weekend

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Unbridled Eve Derby Gala wows with Kentucky flair and global appeal

LOUISVILLE, KY, May 3, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- On Friday, May 2, Unbridled Charitable Foundation presented its 12th annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala in Louisville, bringing celebrities, Southern charm, and philanthropy to the Kentucky Derby weekend. The event took place at The Galt House Hotel, located at 140 N Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

Hosts and co-founders Tonya York and Tammy York-Day were joined by Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, Lamar Jackson, Yung Gravy, Gary Clark Jr., Nora Roberts, Marc Martel, Parmalee’s Matt Thomas, DJ Mr. Mixx, Warren Moon, Bob Guiney, and many more. (Full talent list below.)

Unbridled Eve Derby Gala

An official Kentucky Derby event, the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala is a world-class, star-studded celebration that attracts local and national business leaders, horse racing professionals, and celebrities from film, television, music, comedy, and sports. The evening showcases Southern hospitality, elegance, and top-tier entertainment.

Proceeds benefit a wide range of charitable causes, including long-time beneficiary Blessings in a Backpack, which combats childhood hunger by providing food to elementary school students on weekends. Additional donations will support more than a dozen other nonprofit organizations.

The Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Inc. and Unbridled Eve were co-founded by Tonya York and Tammy York-Day.

Follow the event on social media: Facebook and Instagram (#UnbridledEve)

Media

Download red carpet images via Getty (photos updated throughout the evening): Getty Images – 12th Annual Unbridled Eve Gala ( Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)

Featured Musical Performances

• Wang Chung – Jack Hues (Co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist; Grammy nominee)
• Parmalee – Matt Thomas (Lead singer, guitarist; Grammy nominee)
• Richie Sambora – Legendary Bon Jovi guitarist and Grammy winner
• Marc Martel – Iconic Freddie Mercury vocal impersonator
• Calloway – Reggie and Vincent Calloway; Grammy nominees
• John Glosson – Gospel and country vocalist; finalist on ABC’s Duets
• J.D. Shelburne – Nationally rising country music star
• The Crashers – Renowned party band that has shared stages with Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith, and more
• DJ Mr. Mixx – Co-founder of 2 Live Crew; Grammy nominee

Musicians & Celebrities Attendees

• Yung Gravy – Rapper with 4.9M+ monthly Spotify listeners
• Gary Clark Jr. – Four-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
• Lamar Jackson – NFL Quarterback
• Skip Martin – Kool & The Gang, Dazz Band; Grammy winner
• Mike Mills – R.E.M. co-founder; Grammy winner
• Johnny Edwards – Former lead singer of Foreigner
• Nora Roberts – Best-selling author
• Tyrus Murdoch – Fox News personality, former wrestler
• Warren Moon – NFL Hall of Famer
• John Schneider – The Dukes of Hazzard, The Masked Singer
• Abbie Stockard – Miss America 2025
• Bob Guiney – The Bachelor, Deal or No Deal, iHeart podcast host
• Michael Blackson – Next Friday, Meet the Blacks
• Festus Ezeli – NBA Champion, Golden State Warriors
• Aron Haddad – Actor/professional wrestler
• Rob Angel – Creator of Pictionary
• Jean Cruguet – Triple Crown-winning jockey
• John Velazquez – 3-time Kentucky Derby winner
• Dr. Nicholas Nikolov – Celebrity plastic surgeon
• Erica Rose – The Bachelor, Bachelor Pad
• Michael Eaves – ESPN SportsCenter anchor
• Mike Smith – Hall of Fame jockey and Triple Crown winner
• Sandy Hawley, Mike Manganello, Florent Geroux, Luan Machado, Sophie Doyle, Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley, Steve Cauthen – Prominent jockeys and racing legends

Local VIPs & Community Leader Attendees

• Jeff Brohm – Head Football Coach, University of Louisville
• Conor O’Driscoll – Master Distiller, Heaven Hill
• Brent Elliott – Master Distiller, Four Roses
• Chapel Tinius – Miss Kentucky 2024
• Connor Perry – Miss Kentucky USA 2024
• Dr. Ajmal Zemmar – VA Neurosurgery Chair; featured in After Death
• Vince Emmett – Producer of Reagan
• Chris Blandford – Adult Beverage Expert
• Ethan the Dog – Compassion Ambassador
• Heather French Henry – Former Miss America
• Michael Bush – Former NFL running back
• Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
• Laura Sharpe – Artists for Trauma

Event Hosts

• Tonya York and Tammy York-Day – Co-founders and hosts
• Ben Jackey and Carissa Lawson – Red Carpet Hosts
• Nick Ferrara – Emcee

Specialty Bars Sponsors

Blue Run Spirits, Castle & Key, Chicken Cock Whiskey, Four Roses, Ignition Bourbon, Whiskey Thief, Lily May Bourbon, William Grant & Sons, Heaven Hill, Cornbread Hemp, Sonoma-Cutrer, Decoy Red Blend

Major Sponsors

Kathy and Wayne Richards, William Grant & Sons, Nora Roberts Foundation, Churchill Downs, Inc., Home Depot Foundation, Dillard’s, Ronaldo Designer Jewelry, Galt House Hotel, The Al J. Schneider Foundation, Genesis Diamonds, Pinnacle Live

Event Partners

Millennium Events & Floral, Cambium Marketing, dRAE Media, Mac in a Snap, Quint Events, Greater Louisville Inc., Best Version Media, Chris’ Pick!, Distilled Living, Jockey’s Guild, LRS102, Men’s Wearhouse, Oasis Mobile Hydration, Shirley’s Way, United Direct Solutions, V.G. Reed & Sons, Barry Wooley Designs, York Management Inc.

About Unbridled Charitable Foundation

Unbridled Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Tonya York and Tammy York Day. We support multiple charities, including Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food to school children on the weekends. We also connect sponsors and attendees directly with Unbridled Eve charities they have an interest in supporting. In 2023, we donated to 15 charities including Alley Cat Advocates, APRON, Inc., ElderServe, Feeding Tampa Bay, Hildegard House, KY Humane Society, KY State Police Trooper Island Camp, Medella House, Inc., Miracle League of Louisville, Roo’s Wish, Second Stride, Inc., Super Student Athletes, Sycamore Farm KY, Inc., Winter HAYven, and our primary beneficiary, Blessings in a Backpack.For more information, visit https://www.unbridledeve.com.

Media Contact

Soozie Eastman

[email protected]

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SOURCE: Unbridled Charitable Foundation

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