Verdadero Tequila Named Official Breeders' Cup Drink

Lexington native Chase Deppen secures official status for his brand ahead of the upcoming horse races.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cocktails

Screen-print poster illustration showing an elegant spirit bottle on a rustic wooden fence post, evoking the heritage of Kentucky horse racing. — Breeders' Cup organizers have selected Verdadero Tequila as the exclusive spirit sponsor for the upcoming horse racing event in Kentucky. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you enjoy when local brands partner with major sporting events in your community?

Breeders' Cup organizers have officially selected Verdadero Tequila as the exclusive tequila sponsor for the event. The announcement coincided with the brand's launch in retail liquor stores across Kentucky.

Why it matters

The partnership aligns the local spirits brand with a premier horse racing event, providing significant visibility for the Kentucky-made product. Both the event organizers and the brand's creator identified the collaboration as a strategic fit.

Verdadero Tequila is now available for purchase in Kentucky liquor stores. The brand is the first to hold the official tequila designation for the Breeders' Cup.

The players

Verdadero Tequila

This spirits brand is now the official tequila for the Breeders' Cup.

Breeders' Cup

This organization hosts premier thoroughbred horse racing events.

Chase Deppen

He is the Lexington native and maker of Verdadero Tequila.

The details

Maker Chase Deppen, a Lexington local, pursued the sponsorship opportunity after identifying its potential for his brand. The news was unveiled during a welcome party held for the races.

October 29, 2026: The official announcement occurred at a welcome party.

Culture Shift

This partnership follows the industry trend of local and niche spirit brands seeking exposure through major regional sporting events. It marks a shift as local producers increasingly leverage high-profile sporting events to compete with established global liquor labels.

Residents can now purchase the newly released tequila at local liquor stores across Kentucky. The branding shift may lead to increased presence of the product at race-related social events in the region.

The takeaway

This deal highlights how local entrepreneurs are successfully integrating their products into major regional cultural events. Consumers looking for local alternatives to mainstream spirits now have expanded options in their neighborhood retail outlets.