With a vigorous spin, the carnival-style wheel was spun and the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen was crowned within moments. In a tradition dating back more than 65 years, the Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court selects a queen by the spin of a wheel. The crowning of this year's Royal Court regent took place Saturday during The Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House Hotel. The annual event is sponsored by the Fillies, a volunteer group that works closely with KDF and manages the Derby Princess program, among other things.
Newly-crowned Kentucky Derby Festival Queen Ankita Nair during the coronation at the Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House in Louisville Ky. on April 13, 2024Newly-crowned Kentucky Derby Festival Queen Ankita Nair waved to the crowd during the coronation at the Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House in Louisville Ky. on April 13, 2024Ankita Nair, right, was crowned as the new Kentucky Derby Festival Queen by former queen Mahshad Taheri during the coronation at the Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House in Louisville Ky. on April 13, 2024Newly-crowned Kentucky Derby Festival Queen Ankita Nair was embraced by Marita Willis during the coronation at the Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House in Louisville Ky. on April 13, 2024Former Kentucky Derby Festival Queen Mahshad Taheri before the coronation of new queen at the Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House in Louisville Ky. on April 13, 2024Newly-crowned Kentucky Derby Festival Queen Ankita Nair following the coronation at the Fillies Derby Ball at the Galt House in Louisville Ky. on April 13, 2024
