Kentucky Derby Museum's Winner's Circle horse transformed into Derby winner Mystik Dan

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Winner's Circle horse that greets visitors at the Kentucky Derby Museum is getting a makeover to resemble Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan.

Each year, the horse is repainted to look like the winner of the most recent Kentucky Derby. Artist and graphic designer Mike Prather has been painting the display horses for the past 25 years.

"I was painting a mural here at Churchill Downs, and someone from the museum approached me while I was painting and asked me if I could come over and help with this," Mike Prather said. "My first horse was Charismatic in 1999. And we've been painting them since."

On Friday, WDRB News got a behind-the-scenes look as Prather worked on transforming the display horse from Derby 149 champion, Mage, into Derby 150 winner, Mystik Dan.

"I feel honored that they ask me every year," Prather said. "It's a real treat for me when the horse is standing here, and, when you come and look at it, it's unique to see all these families taking their pictures around it knowing that it's going all over the world."

🎨BEFORE & AFTER:

The Kentucky Derby Museum is getting this horse repainted to be updated for Derby 150 winner, Mystik Dan. 🐎

🖌️This horse gets repainted each year following the Derby and is put on display at the museum.@WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/RHyap7XYl1
— Darby Beane (@DarbyBeane) May 24, 2024

The Kentucky Derby Museum has showcased a Winner's Circle horse since 1999, with the same horse being repainted for the past 10 years.

Prather said he began studying Mystik Dan the day after the Derby. He used pictures and sketches to make the finished artwork as realistic as possible. Every detail counts. Prather said Mytik Dan has unique markings on his hooves.

"I don't know that I've ever seen hoof markings like that before," said Prather.

The artwork even includes a scuff by one of Mystik Dan's eyes.

"It's just another one of those features," Prather said. "When he won the race, and it looked like a fairly fresh scuff, like he knocked into something a few days ago. But when he won the race, he had that mark. So that has to be there."

Kentucky Derby Museum Mystik Dan Winner's Circle — Pictured: Artist and graphic designer Mike Prather works to transform last year's Derby winner, Mage, into Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Ky., on May 24, 2024. (WDRB image)

Prather said he works on the horse for three days, about three hours each session. He said it's an exciting task every year.

It's not clear exactly when the display of Mystik Dan will take its place in the museum, but officials said they're hoping to have it installed by early June, just in time for summer tours.