Kentucky Roses is a Hallmark Channel original Romance movie directed by Clare Niederpruem and written by Jamie Pachino. It stars Andrew Walker, Odette Annable, and Peyton Meyer. This romantic drama set against the pageantry of one of America’s greatest sporting traditions is not just a love story — it is a love letter to a real place, a real racetrack, and a century-old American legacy. Here is everything you need to know about where it was filmed.
The story follows Sadie Moore (Annable), a greenhouse worker at Churchill Downs whose family has tended the grounds for generations. She dreams of one day becoming a full-time florist and creating the famous Garland of Roses given to the Kentucky Derby winner.
When Ash Taylor (Walker), the son of the Churchill Downs CEO, is called back to Louisville just two weeks before the Derby to handle urgent repairs to the iconic Twin Spires damaged in a storm, the two form an unlikely pair — and an unexpected romance. The film unfolds across two timelines, present day and 1932, both set at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Roses premieres on May 2, 2026, on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+. Its premiere falls on the very same day as the 152nd Kentucky Derby — making it one of the most perfectly timed Hallmark releases in the network’s history.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was Kentucky Roses Filmed?
| Film Name | Kentucky Roses |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic Drama |
| Director | Clare Niederpruem |
| Writer | Jamie Pachino |
| Stars | Andrew Walker, Odette Annable, Peyton Meyer |
| Filming Location | Louisville, Kentucky, USA (Churchill Downs) |
| Network | Hallmark Channel |
| Streaming | Hallmark+ |
| Release Date | May 2, 2026 |
The entire movie was shot on location at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. This is not a studio recreation or a stand-in — every frame of the racetrack, the grandstands, the greenhouse, and the legendary Twin Spires was captured at the real Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875. The cast and crew spent approximately one month filming in Kentucky.
📍Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Louisville is the soul of Kentucky Roses. Unlike many Hallmark productions that use a generic small-town aesthetic, this film was built entirely around a real American landmark — and the production’s commitment to authentic location filming makes every scene feel grounded and alive.
Churchill Downs Racetrack — the Heart of the Film
Address: 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208, United States
Fans will see the legendary Twin Spires, the racetrack, and the behind-the-scenes world that makes the Derby so special. Churchill Downs is not just the backdrop of Kentucky Roses — it is practically a character in itself. For Andrew Walker, it was not so much about the Derby as it was about Churchill Downs itself — the building, the history, the architecture, what it means to American sport, and the pageantry of it all.
Each morning, Walker would arrive at his trailer at around 5 or 6 a.m., with dew coming off the racetrack, the sky turning pink, and the horses warming up on the track — a sight his father, a lifelong Derby fan, had never experienced firsthand. Walker would FaceTime his dad from the set each morning to share those moments — one of the most quietly moving behind-the-scenes stories from the entire production.
The Twin Spires
The iconic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs — arguably the most recognizable architectural feature in American horse racing — play a central role in the film’s plot. Ash Taylor is brought in to handle urgent repairs to the damaged Twin Spires after a storm strikes just two weeks before Derby Day. The production filmed directly at and around these real spires, giving the movie a visual grandeur that no studio set could replicate.
The Churchill Downs Greenhouse
Sadie Moore works in the track’s greenhouse, which has been run by her family for generations — first by her great-grandmother Gloria in 1932, and now by her mother Anna. The greenhouse scenes were filmed at the real Churchill Downs grounds, giving the film an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at a part of the racetrack that most Derby visitors never see. Walker noted that the track is a full community — with farriers, horse trainers, a school, a grocery store, sports teams, and greenhouse workers who constantly maintain the track, the flowers, and the building. “It’s pretty impressive,” he said.
The Winner’s Circle
Sadie works alongside her mother in the greenhouse on the grounds of Churchill Downs, and they are responsible for the beautiful landscaping — including the Winner’s Circle. Scenes at the Winner’s Circle were filmed at the real location, making these some of the most visually iconic moments in the film.
The Grandstands & Racetrack
Writer Jamie Pachino was in the stands on actual Derby Day the prior year — just minutes before the race — alongside Walker and members of the Hallmark team. It was during this visit that the team gathered the small, authentic details that make the film feel so real. Some of the film’s race-day crowd scenes were captured with the real atmosphere of Derby Day as the backdrop.
Thunder Over Louisville — Referenced in the Film
Thunder Over Louisville — the massive annual fireworks show that officially kicks off Derby season — is referenced and depicted in the film. This event, held on the banks of the Ohio River, is one of the largest fireworks displays in North America and is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Derby season in Louisville.
The Garland of Roses — The Story Behind the Most Famous Flowers in Racing
One of the most fascinating real-world details in Kentucky Roses is its focus on the Garland of Roses — the blanket of flowers draped over the Kentucky Derby winner. The first use of a floral arrangement came in 1896 when Ben Brush received flowers upon winning, but the modern rose garland did not begin until 1932 — which is why the film unfolds across two timelines, present day and 1932.
Close to 1,500 roses are sourced from South America, and 498 of them make it into the final garland. Writer Jamie Pachino uncovered this detail while attending the real Derby — a random encounter with a Kroger representative in the stands led to a flood of authentic, specific facts that ended up shaping the screenplay.
Kentucky Roses Behind the Scenes
Andrew Walker had to learn how to correctly pronounce “Louisville” before filming began. Growing up in Montreal with a French influence, he had been saying “Louie-ville” — and was quickly corrected on set. “I was told, when it doesn’t sound right, you’re saying it correctly,” he laughed.
This collaboration marks a special partnership between two legacy brands — Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs. Both companies share over a hundred years of history and a shared commitment to creating memorable experiences. The partnership extended beyond the film with an exclusive jewelry collection inspired by Kentucky Roses, available only in Hallmark Gold Crown stores.
The cast and crew also shared behind-the-scenes moments on their social media accounts during the Louisville shoot. Walker will return to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Roses premiere event with his wife Cassandra to celebrate the film’s release on May 2, 2026.
For more updates and new filming details, stay tuned.
Is There a Trailer Available for Kentucky Roses?
Yes, the official trailer and sneak peek for Kentucky Roses have been released. You can watch them on the Hallmark Channel YouTube page and the official Hallmark Channel website.
Kentucky Roses premieres on May 2, 2026, on Hallmark Channel at 8/7c, and streams the next day on Hallmark+.
FAQs
Q1: Where was Kentucky Roses filmed?
Kentucky Roses was filmed entirely on location in Louisville, Kentucky, primarily at Churchill Downs Racetrack — the home of the Kentucky Derby. No studio stand-ins were used for the racetrack scenes.
Q2: Was Kentucky Roses really filmed at Churchill Downs?
Yes. The entire movie was shot on location at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. The production had a genuine partnership with Churchill Downs, and the real Twin Spires, grandstands, greenhouse, and Winner’s Circle all appear in the film.
Q3: When did filming for Kentucky Roses take place?
The cast and crew spent approximately one month filming in Louisville, Kentucky. Filming took place ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Derby season.
Q4: Can I visit the Kentucky Roses filming locations?
Yes — Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky is open to the public for races, tours, and events throughout the year. The Kentucky Derby Museum, located on the grounds, is also open to visitors year-round.
Q5: What is the Hallmark and Churchill Downs partnership about?
Both Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs share over a hundred years of history. Their partnership around Kentucky Roses extended to an exclusive jewelry collection inspired by the film, available only in Hallmark Gold Crown stores.
Q6: When does Kentucky Roses air?
Kentucky Roses premieres on May 2, 2026, on Hallmark Channel at 8/7c. It will be available to stream the following day on Hallmark+. The premiere falls on the same day as the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
This guide covers every confirmed filming location of Kentucky Roses. From the legendary Twin Spires and the Winner’s Circle to the hidden Churchill Downs greenhouse — every location in this film is real, visitable, and steeped in over 150 years of American tradition. Keep checking back for more updates and behind-the-scenes details.
Discover more from A2Z Filming Location
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.