Churchill Downs and Mattel Team Up to Create Kentucky Derby Barbie Doll

Apr 02, 2009 CDI Communications

With Kentucky Derby® 135 on May 2, 2009, quickly approaching, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual “Run for the Roses®,” and Mattel are pleased to announce that they have teamed up to create the Kentucky Derby® Barbie® doll.

From the celebrities and socialites who attend to the awe-inspiring hats, the Kentucky Derby is more than just a horse race – it is a famed fashion event.  This year, Barbie®, the ultimate fashion icon, showcases legendary Derby fashion with the launch of the Kentucky Derby® Barbie® doll, dressed in a playful floral sun dress, faux pearl necklace and sassy spring sandals.  True to Kentucky Derby fashion, Barbie doll’s look is topped off with a stylish, oversized white hat with blossoming flower accents.

In addition to the Kentucky Derby® Barbie® doll, Churchill Downs and Mattel will give Barbie® enthusiasts and collectors a chance to own their very own life-sized Kentucky Derby® BarbieTM replica hat. Renowned milliner Christine A. Moore will create up to 135 replica hats to commemorate the 135th Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky® Derby Barbie®.  The first hat will be auctioned off through the Clothes® Off Our Back Foundation.  Proceeds from the auction will benefit Clothes® Off Our Back’s charities, including Feeding America (formerly named America’s Second Harvest), The Art of Elysium, Hope North and H.E.L.P. Malawi. The remaining 134 hats will be available on a made-to-order basis on www.thederbystore.com.

“This is a great project that brings together two iconic American brands in a very special way,” said Casey Cook, senior director of marketing and licensing for Churchill Downs Incorporated.  “We are so pleased to work with Mattel to create the Kentucky Derby Barbie as part of the Pink Label Collection and even happier that we were able to extend the project to include the replica hats that Barbie collectors and enthusiasts can proudly own and wear.”

“Barbie and the Kentucky Derby have come together to celebrate a legendary American sporting and fashion event,” said Stephanie Cota, senior vice president, Barbie.  “As a fashion icon, this gorgeous collector doll and replica hat pays tribute to Derby fashion and is sure to excite Barbie collectors, Kentucky Derby fans and fashionistas alike.”

The Kentucky Derby® Barbie® doll is available for purchase through Walmart, Walmart.com, Barbie® Collector Dealers, Barbie Collector Catalog, www.barbiecollector.com and www.thederbystore.com.  

About Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009.  The track’s 2009 Spring Meet will take place from April 25 through July 5.  Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. Mattel was recognized as one of 2008's '100 Best Companies to Work For' by FORTUNE Magazine. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel's vision is to be the world's premier toy brands—today and tomorrow.