For This Photographer, the Kentucky Derby Spectators Are the Actual Stars of the Present

At the Kentucky Derby, all eyes are on the horses. As they race across the historic monitor at Churchill Downs, the world watches, gripped by what’s often known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” But for photographer Lili Kobielski, the actual motion is some place else: up within the stands.

Held yearly on the primary Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby will be the world’s most well-known horse race, but it surely’s arguably simply as well-known for its vogue. “There’s really nothing like it,” says Kobielski, who grew up round racing and has photographed the Derby for greater than a decade for Vogue. “I especially love the diversity of the racegoers and the general ebullience of the crowd. The energy is electric and the huge hats, colorful outfits, and incredible characters make it an endlessly engaging subject.”

Now, Kobielski has collected the very best of her 15,000-odd images from the occasion into a brand new e-book, At the Derby: Kentucky’s Grandest Celebration of Fashion.

For her first Vogue Derby story in 2014, Kobielski targeted her lens on Rosie Napravnik, the one feminine jockey using that 12 months—and naturally, all of the enjoyable Derby vogue. “I love the range of looks from subtle and chic to completely outlandish,” she says. “It’s impossible to get bored photographing here.”

Below, in honor of the 152nd operating of the Kentucky Derby at the moment, see a few of our favourite photographs that Kobielski has taken on the monitor over time.