Really awesome Kentucky Derby/Horse Races themed gift for my dad's 50th birthday?

April 21, 2008 12:10 PM

Gift Filter: Really awesome Kentucky Derby/Horse Races themed gift for my dad's 50th birthday?

My dad is big into the horse races, and to celebrate turning the big 5-0 next month, he's doing a Kentucky Derby trip, complete with tours of the stables, etc.

I want to get him a gift that will possibly come in handy during his trip, or at least will be related to the Kentucky Derby (though I don't want to get a trinket solely because it is related to the Derby.)

He's already got the trip agenda planned out (and crammed full of activity,) so tickets or anything that would throw off his schedule are kind of out.

Dad loves to read--the downside of that is he probably already has any Kentucky Derby related books you might recommend.

I'll admit, I'm pretty uninformed as far as horse races go, (closest I've gotten is watching Sea Biscuit) so I have no idea where to even start.

Any suggestions? My dad is a great guy and always gives really thoughtful gifts, and I want to show him that I really have put some thought into his special day.

posted by saucy to Shopping (8 answers total)

Without knowing your budget it's a little difficult.

if you just want something directly derby related, try the museum giftshop
posted by Mr_Chips at 12:19 PM on April 21, 2008

Best answer: The mint julep is the traditional drink of the derby. He probably couldn't use it on the trip, but it would be fitting to get him some silver julep cups. You could also get him mint leaves and a high end kentucky bourbon to enjoy when he gets back.
posted by phrontist at 12:24 PM on April 21, 2008

here's a low cost idea that i just thought of

ask him to save the stub from his ticket for you, and have him buy a single $2.00 ticket for each of the horses in the race, but not to cash the winner. aslo ask him to take a digital camera, and have someone take some pictures of him

when he returns, take the winning ticket, entry stub, and best picture of him there to a frame shop and have them mat and frame all three

If he is going with someone else, you ask them to buy the tickets and save the stub, so you could really surprise him with the finished product

personally, i think this would be an awesome keepsake that i'd love to have hanging on my office wall
posted by Mr_Chips at 12:28 PM on April 21, 2008

Response by poster: Sorry, knew I was forgetting something! Budget: around $50, give or take.
posted by saucy at 12:44 PM on April 21, 2008

If your Dad is fifty, he might appreciate receiving one of the old Kentucky Derby Games that used to be sold in Louisville -- I got mine while in the hospital in 1958. Here's a link to a picture of an earlier model of the one I remember:

http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/e9/fc/e925_1.JPG
posted by pernishus at 12:57 PM on April 21, 2008

This isn't great for the actual trip but in terms of a KD-related gift: a couple years ago I was in rural Eastern Kentucky and stopped by a yard sale where a woman was selling a whole set of commemorative drinking glasses. Each one had that year's Kentucky Derby's race logo (technicolor! And they changed each year) as well as each year of the KD since it began, with the winning horse's name--a conversation piece in itself. They are really kitschy and fun. I have one for like 15 years in the 1980's and 1990's. This is an example. I'm not 100% sure where you can get them outside of eBay type places and it might be too silly/campy for a gift, but it's a thought. I love my KD glasses and so do most folks who see 'em.
posted by sneakin at 1:42 PM on April 21, 2008

Best answer: Horse Racing Themed Gifts I Have Purchased Or Obtained In The Past:

1) Horseshoes from my brother's favorite horse (wrote the farm where he's standing stud, sent a return envelope)

2) Birthday card signed by my brother's favorite jockeys (call the racing office at their track, find out who their agent is, reach out to them)

3) A saddle cloth (like the green cloth with the stitched-on #5)

4) Vintage winner's circle photos (I collect these, love them - ebay is your friend)

5) Six Secrets of Successful Betting is about the best bathroom reader in the horse racing canon, in my opinion. Highly recommended.

Good luck...
posted by peacecorn at 3:33 PM on April 21, 2008 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks guys! Decided on a framed photo of the winning horse from his birth year (1958) and a nice bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. Awesome ideas!
posted by saucy at 6:58 PM on April 21, 2008