Toby Keith's Kentucky Derby Dream Becomes Reality A Year After Country Star's Death

Toby Keith's dream has travel existent a small much than a twelvemonth aft nan state icon died astatine 62.

At nan 2025 Kentucky Derby, Keith's Dream Walkin' Farms will debut its first thoroughbred equine successful nan derby. The state vocalist started his racing cognition successful 2001.

Keith's charismatic Instagram relationship made nan announcement connected April 27.

TOBY KEITH’S FAITH WAS HIS 'ROCK' FOLLOWING STOMACH CANCER DIAGNOSIS: 'I JUST PRAY'

Toby Keith's "dream" was to person a equine title successful nan Kentucky Derby. (Matt Winkelmeyer)

"It was Toby's dream. Render Judgment is going to nan Kentucky Derby," nan station read. 

"He worked truthful difficult to yet person 1 there! Toby will person nan champion spot successful nan location to watch."

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Included was a group of photos of Render Judgment successful action.

According to a property merchandise obtained by Fox News Digital, Render Judgment placed 21st connected April 26, 1 spot short of an automatic placement successful nan Kentucky Derby.

"It was Toby's dream. Render Judgment is going to nan Kentucky Derby."

However, equine Tappan Street had to driblet retired of nan Run for Roses and Render Judgment was bumped up.

On Friday, Keith's equine trainer, Kenny McPeek, was a impermanent connected "Fox & Friends First" and said astir Keith's emotion for equine racing.

WATCH: LATE TOBY KEITH'S KENTUCKY DERBY DREAM COMES TRUE AS HIS HORSE IS SET TO COMPETE

"Well immoderate opportunity Toby loved thoroughbred equine racing much than he did music, which is really saying a lot, right?" he said.

McPeek first met Keith astatine nan races complete 20 years agone successful Louisiana. "He was ever a batch of fun, and he's sorely missed successful nan equine racing industry," he said.

In 2019, Keith told nan Kentucky Derby Connections that nan Kentucky Derby is nan title "you want to win."

"Yeah, that’s nan 1 that everybody wants to bent connected their wall, saying, 'I won nan Kentucky Derby.' But God, it's difficult to get location … [the] equine racing business is (frustrating but) dream more. Everything's rolling nan dice. The adjacent 1 is, too. And it’s exciting. You sewage to unrecorded connected nan separator a small bit," he concluded.

Toby Keith was diagnosed pinch tummy crab successful 2022. He is shown present successful 2023. (Tammie Arroyo/Variety via Getty Images)

Keith operated Dream Walkin’ Farms for much than 3 decades, and now his family has taken complete nan 330-acre installation successful Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, according to nan property release. 

On Feb. 5, 2024, Keith's family announced his decease successful a connection posted to his website and societal media accounts.

"Toby Keith passed away peacefully past nighttime connected February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his conflict pinch grace and courage. Please respect nan privateness of his family astatine this time," nan connection read.

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Keith revealed successful June 2022 that he had been diagnosed pinch tummy cancer.

The Oklahoma-based country euphony star was champion known for his 1993 deed song, "Should've Been a Cowboy." His breakout deed was played 3 cardinal times connected power stations and became nan most-played state opus of nan 1990s.

Toby Keith had nan most-played state opus successful nan '90s. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were "How Do You Like Me Now?!," "As Good As I Once Was," "My List" and "Beer for My Horses," a duet pinch Willie Nelson.

His 2002 song, "Courtesy of nan Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," showcased his patriotism aft nan 9/11 violent attacks.

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Keith, however, didn't conscionable usage nan thought of American patriotism successful his songs. He gave his support to nan American military, going connected 11 USO tours to sojourn and play for troops serving overseas. He besides wrote astir his support for nan men and women successful America's subject pinch his 2003 hit, "American Soldier."

Toby Keith mislaid his conflict pinch tummy crab successful February 2024, little than 2 years aft going nationalist pinch his diagnosis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Keith helped raise millions for kindness complete his career, including building a location successful Oklahoma City for kids and their families battling cancer.

The vocalist besides played astatine events for Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, nan second giving him a National Medal of nan Arts successful 2021. 

Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia, 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

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