An 89-year-old terminally ill man, Bob Weihe, fulfilled his lifelong dream of attending one more Kentucky Derby this past weekend. According to CBS News, Weihe, a Louisville native and super fan who had attended 79 consecutive Derbys, was granted a special wish by Churchill Downs to attend the historic event despite being in hospice care.
Key Takeaways
Bob Weihe, an 89-year-old terminally ill fan, attended his 80th Kentucky Derby after Churchill Downs granted his wish. He was welcomed as a VIP and saw his chosen horses win the race. The event marked historic moments, including the first female trainer to win the Derby.
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby marked a significant milestone for Weihe. His family gathered to send him off to his 80th Derby. At Churchill Downs, he was treated as a VIP with an unobstructed view of the finish line and received a personal welcome from track president Mike Anderson.
Weihe's wish extended beyond attending the race; he requested a program signed by the winning trainer and jockey to add to his collection. His chosen horses — numbers 1, 19, and 22 — finished in the top three positions, with Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, becoming the first female trainer to win the Derby.
Churchill Downs officials helped fulfill Weihe's request by getting the program signed by DeVaux and jockey Jose Ortiz. According to CBS News, Barbara Weihe expressed gratitude for the effort made to get her husband to one more Derby, stating it was a wonderful experience despite his advanced age.
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