A photography company that started in Phoenix will be the official photographer for the Kentucky Derby. Coady Photography began in Phoenix more than 50 years ago. Today it is the official photography company for Turf Paradise and more than 20 tracks across the country. This year Coady Photography added Churchill Downs to its list which means it is the official photographer for the Kentucky Derby.
The company was founded in 1962 by Jack Coady Sr. In the lake 1950’s, Jack was a photographer for the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette and one of his assignments was Turf Paradise which opened a few years earlier. Jack eventually became the official photographer for Turf Paradise giving birth to a business and a tradition that thrives to this day.
Jack’s sons and grandsons followed in the family business. His grandson Shawn has been taking pictures at Turf Paradise for more than 25 years. Shawn will be part of the team taking pictures at the Kentucky Derby May 7th.
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “I have always considered Coady to be the First Family of horseracing photography. Now that Coady Photography is going to the Derby, I guess that designation is official.”
Every November, Turf Paradise salutes the Coady family with a race named in their honor, the Jack and Jeff Coady Stakes
Meanwhile Turf Paradise is getting ready for its annual Kentucky Derby Party where fans can watch the live simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and watch and wager on live horse racing.
The day also features a fashion contest, live music, a kids’ fun park, and free commemorative Derby glasses to the first 5,000 paid admissions.
The company was founded in 1962 by Jack Coady Sr. In the lake 1950’s, Jack was a photographer for the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette and one of his assignments was Turf Paradise which opened a few years earlier. Jack eventually became the official photographer for Turf Paradise giving birth to a business and a tradition that thrives to this day.
Jack’s sons and grandsons followed in the family business. His grandson Shawn has been taking pictures at Turf Paradise for more than 25 years. Shawn will be part of the team taking pictures at the Kentucky Derby May 7th.
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “I have always considered Coady to be the First Family of horseracing photography. Now that Coady Photography is going to the Derby, I guess that designation is official.”
Every November, Turf Paradise salutes the Coady family with a race named in their honor, the Jack and Jeff Coady Stakes
Meanwhile Turf Paradise is getting ready for its annual Kentucky Derby Party where fans can watch the live simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and watch and wager on live horse racing.
The day also features a fashion contest, live music, a kids’ fun park, and free commemorative Derby glasses to the first 5,000 paid admissions.
For more details on the party check out our Derby Page.
Grandstand Admission is $5.00. Kids 16 and under get in free.
For those wanting to kick it up a notch, there are all day buffets in the air conditioned comfort of Turf’s Directors’ Suite, Turf Club, and Club House.
"Top of the Park" Directors Suite Buffet $70
Reservations: 602-375-6471
Turf Club All Day Buffet $70
Turf Club Reservations: 602-375-6472
Clubhouse All Day Buffet $50
Clubhouse Reservations: 602-375-6470
Party on the Rail $30
Prime outdoor seating/Includes BBQ Combo Meal. Reservations: 602-375-6471
Grandstand Admission is $5.00 May 7th and seats are first come first serve. The gates open 7:15am.
The first Turf Paradise live post is 11:30am. The Kentucky Derby is approximately 3:24pm.
Those times are subject to change without notice, please check our Kentucky Derby Page for the most current times.
Turf Paradise opened its doors in in 1956 and has been at 19th Ave. and Bell Road ever since making it Arizona’s first sports franchise.
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