April 14, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET
- Hallmark’s new movie, “Kentucky Roses,” is set against the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby.
- The film was shot on location at Churchill Downs and other landmarks throughout Louisville.
- It stars Odette Annable as a florist and Andrew Walker as the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO.
- The movie is scheduled to premiere during the 2026 Kentucky Derby weekend on the Hallmark Channel.
“Kentucky Roses,” the Hallmark Channel’s newest Kentucky Derby‑season romance, is blooming right on time.
The film, which unfolds against the iconic backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, was fittingly shot at Churchill Downs and in picturesque pockets all across Louisville. And in perfect Hallmark fashion, it will make its debut during the 2026 Kentucky Derby weekend.
In the lead‑up to the premiere, The Courier Journal visited one of the film’s most charming local settings, Earl Thieneman Garden Center off Old Henry Road. Owner Anthony Goetzinger walked us through the property, sharing how his everyday garden center transformed into a movie‑ready flower market.
“It was Halloween morning when the crew decorated the exterior of the greenhouses to look like a flower market,” Goetzinger said. “Of course, there weren’t any flowers actually in bloom at that time of year, so they had to use artificial ones. And it was so cold that the actors had to do a really good job pretending they weren’t freezing in their spring wardrobe.”
The production didn’t stop at the greenhouses. When the film needed a cozy interior setting, Goetzinger’s own home, tucked right on the property, became the perfect location.
“There was so much equipment and so many people in the house that I didn’t stick around,” he said with a laugh. “So I don’t really know what all happened in there but it was a lot of fun having the movie crew here and I’ve heard it turned out well.”
Beyond the garden center, viewers will spot plenty of familiar Louisville landmarks. Most scenes were filmed around Churchill Downs and other recognizable spots throughout the city. And keep your eyes peeled — you might even see a neighbor or coworker. Dozens of local actors served as extras, and a few even landed speaking roles.
When “Kentucky Roses” premieres this Derby weekend, it won’t just be a Hallmark love story. It’ll be a love letter to Louisville and longstanding tradition of the Kentucky Derby.
What is the Hallmark movie ‘Kentucky Roses’ about?
“Kentucky Roses” is told across two timelines, present day and 1932, at Churchill Downs. In present-day, Sadie Moore (Odette Annable) works in the Churchill Downs greenhouse, dreaming of becoming a florist and one day contributing to the Derby’s garland of roses, just like her great-grandmother, Gloria (Ally Ledford). As Derby Day approaches, Sadie meets Ash Taylor (Andrew Walker), the son of Churchill Down’ CEO (Gregg Henry), who’s been asked to do an emergency repair on the iconic twin spires after a storm left one damaged, according to a release from Hallmark Media.
How to watch ‘Kentucky Roses’
“Kentucky Roses” airs on The on Hallmark Channel and stars Andrew Walker (“Three Wisest Men”) and Odette Annable (“Supergirl,” “Walker”) and celebrates the pageantry, tradition, and enduring spirit of the Kentucky Derby. The film also stars Ally Ledford (“His Nerd”), Peyton Meyer (“Girl Meets World,” “Days of Our Lives”), Brynn Thayer (“Fatal Attraction,” “Suits”), and Gregg Henry (“Gilmore Girls,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”).
Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
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