ST. IMIER, SWITZERLAND and LOUISVILLE, KY--(Marketwired - May 08, 2017) - Longines, the Official Timekeeper of the Triple Crown, is proud to celebrate the victory of Always Dreaming in the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby -- "the most exciting two minutes in sports". The Swiss watch brand awarded Always Dreaming's owners, trainer and jockey with elegant Longines Conquest Classic Collection timepieces in front of the enthusiastic spectators gathered at Churchill Downs.
Following Always Dreaming's superb victory in Kentucky Derby, Longines ceremoniously gifted owners, trainer and jockey with stunning timepieces. Always Dreaming, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, raced to victory, outrunning Lookin At Lee in second place and Battle Of Midway in third, after an exhilarating race. Earlier that day, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile presented by Longines was claimed by Roca Rojo, ahead of Believe in Bertie and Linda.
At the Kentucky Derby, Longines timepieces and branded clocks were on display throughout Churchill Downs' facilities, in which the brand's logo was prominently featured on the official red carpet, racetrack and in other surrounding areas. Further, a digital Longines Kentucky Derby Countdown Clock was revealed on Churchill Downs' official event website (www.KentuckyDerby.com) to observe this historic race.
For more information and photography from the 143rd Kentucky Derby visit:
http://inr.synapticdigital.com/longines/kentucky_derby_2017
About the Watches:
Longines presented a model from The Longines DolceVita Collection, a line inspired by the Italian sweet life exuding contemporary elegance and femininity during the Kentucky Oaks Day Fashion Contest. Cased in steel and rose gold and decorated with diamonds, this timepiece displays a silver-coloured "flinqué" dial adorned with painted Roman numerals and is mounted a stainless steel bracelet.
The official watch of this year's Triple Crown 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 involvement of Longines in equestrian sport, and especially in horse racing, dates back to 1878. It was at this time that the brand produced one of its most emblematic items, a chronograph engraved with the image of a jockey and his mount, which allowed performances to be timed to the second.
About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world's leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 150 countries.