Churchill Downs has announced a partnership with video game publisher and developer Cygames, Inc. to sponsor the Unbridled Sidney Stakes on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard May 2. The race will be officially titled the Unbridled Sidney Stakes Presented by Cygames.
The partnership extends beyond race sponsorship, with Cygames establishing an on-site activation area at Churchill Downs during both Kentucky Derby and Oaks days. Visitors will have access to video game demos and photo opportunities at the Cygames Booth located in the track’s infield.
Featured game demos will include Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Umamusume: Pretty Derby. The activation will also feature a 360-degree panoramic photo spot for visitors.
“The Kentucky Derby has a long and prestigious history as the first of the races that make up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and I consider it a great joy for Cygames to be a sponsor,” said Koichi Watanabe, President of Cygames. “My hope is that, through our partnership, we can provide an opportunity for potential fans to get to know Cygames and its content.”
The Unbridled Sidney Stakes, a turf sprint named after the stakes-winning mare, was won in 2024 by Ova Charged. The race serves as part of the prestigious Kentucky Derby weekend card that attracts international attention to Churchill Downs.
This partnership represents an interesting crossover between the gaming industry and horse racing, particularly notable as Cygames produces Umamusume: Pretty Derby — a popular game featuring anthropomorphized horse girls inspired by real-life racehorses.
