vineyard vines® Named 'Official Style' of the Kentucky Derby®

STAMFORD, Conn., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Brothers Shep and Ian Murray, CEOs and Co-Founders of vineyard vines are proud to announce today their multi-year licensing partnership with Churchill Downs Racetrack, which hosts America's premier horse racing and entertainment event, the Kentucky Derby®. Exclusively named as the "Official Style of the Kentucky Derby," vineyard vines has rolled out a custom-designed line of clothing and accessories for men and women. This is the first time that Churchill Downs has partnered with a clothing brand to create an official fashion collection associated with the Kentucky Derby, a one of a kind, world class sports and entertainment event held annually on the first Saturday in May.

The collection — vineyard vines® for Kentucky Derby — will debut in April 2011. The line was inspired by all aspects of the Kentucky Derby, including print names like: "Run for the Roses," "Lucky Shoes," and "Off to the Races." The collection will offer a variety of fashion items, including sports jackets, shirts, ties and belts for men; dresses, tops, scarves, hats and handbags for women; and sportswear for both genders.  The vineyard vines® for Kentucky Derby collection will be sold at all vineyard vines free-standing stores and selected wholesale accounts and department stores nationwide, as well as through the official Kentucky Derby online store and at vineyardvines.com.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us," commented Ian Murray, CEO and co-founder of vineyard vines. "We are thrilled to partner with one of the country's most time-honored institutions."

"We are excited to partner with vineyard vines on our first officially licensed collection of fashion apparel and accessories for the Kentucky Derby," said Casey Cook, vice president of brand development and marketing for Churchill Downs. "The vineyard vines® for Kentucky Derby collection is fresh, stylish and conveys the sense of fun and excitement that people around the world associate with the Kentucky Derby lifestyle.  We look forward to launching the line this spring in time for the 137th 'Run for the Roses' at Churchill Downs."

vineyard vines®, a company best known for its whimsical neckties and smiling pink whale logo, was founded in 1998 on Martha's Vineyard when brothers Shep and Ian Murray cut their ties with corporate America to start making ties that represented The Good Life. In addition to signature neckwear, vineyard vines offers a variety of clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Products are sold in over 600 specialty and department stores worldwide, through a seasonal catalog at 1.800.892.4982, online at vineyardvines.com and at thirteen free-standing stores in Boston, MA; Edgartown, MA; Greenwich, CT; Mashpee, MA; McLean, VA; Memphis, TN; Nantucket, MA; Nashville, TN; Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Southampton, NY, The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL; Washington, DC; and Westport, CT.

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: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011. The track's 2011 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 30 through July 4. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championships a record seven times and the event will return to the track for its next renewal on Nov. 4-5, 2011. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com

SOURCE vineyard vines