Naman Shrestha
With Clare Niederpruem at the helm, Hallmark’s ‘Kentucky Roses’ is a romantic drama movie that follows Sadie Moore, a greenhouse worker at Churchill Downs, who aspires to become a florist and create the Kentucky Derby’s rose blanket, keeping the legacy of her great-grandmother, Gloria, alive. She crosses paths with the Churchill Downs’ CEO’s son, Ash Taylor, who is given the responsibility to complete an emergency repair before Derby Day approaches. As the two spend time together, they begin falling head over heels in love while trying to meet their respective families’ expectations. Now, they must save the Kentucky Derby Day and confront the connection between their families. The tale of romance unfolds primarily at Churchill Downs, where Sadie and Ash’s romance takes shape.
Where Was Kentucky Roses Filmed?
‘Kentucky Roses’ was reportedly shot in its entirety in Kentucky, specifically in Louisville. According to reports, principal photography for the Hallmark production took place in the fall of 2025, specifically in the month of October. Talking about spending the fall in Kentucky, Ally Ledford felt blessed as she got to spend time with her family and friends in the Bluegrass State. She stated, “I’m thankful that chasing my dreams brought me back to My Old Kentucky Home where I got to spend so many precious moments with my niece. Picking her up from daycare, trick or treating, pumpkin picking and much more. I loved cheering on the Wildcats in person with dad instead of over FaceTime! And I got to spend the last few months of my sweet dog, Elwood’s, life with him.”
Churchill Downs, Kentucky
The shooting of ‘Kentucky Roses’ took place in parts of Louisville, in the northern region of Kentucky. Located along the scenic banks of the Ohio River, the city lies near the Indiana border, giving it a unique blend of Southern charm and midwestern appeal. To film a significant portion of the movie, the team decided to set up camp on location at Churchill Downs, the thoroughbred racetrack at 700 Central Avenue. Named after the Churchill family, the iconic landmark hosts the Kentucky Derby and embodies the city’s historic horse racing heritage.
In an interview with Louisville Public Media, Andrew Walker, who plays Ash Taylor, opened up about his overall experience filming the derby-themed romantic movie in the historic attraction. He stated, “We had free rein of the entire racetrack, so I saw every nook and cranny of that place, and there’s three speakeasies on the property. You get into the speakeasy by pressing a button on a poster or frame or a piece of art, and the door opens where you’d never think there was a door, and then you’re in this whole other room, a beautiful speakeasy with the leather banquettes.”
The actor added, “We got to see the entire property, and it’s going to be completely different now to go back to see it again with everybody there.” Emphasizing on the significance of the space and the rich history attached to it, Andrew said, “…And for me, it wasn’t so much about the Derby as much as it was about Churchill Downs, the building, the history of the building, the architecture, what it means to sport, what it is to American tradition, the sport, the pageantry of it all. Everyone in the community is a piece of this.”
Earl Thieneman Garden Center, Kentucky
In addition to Churchill Downs, Earl Thieneman Garden Center also served as the filming site for the Hallmark production. Situated at 12704 Old Henry Road, it was specifically decked out as a flower market. In conversation with The Courier Journal, Anthony Goetzinger — the owner of the property — offered insights into the production process, highlighting how the team transformed certain areas to complement the movie’s visual aesthetic. “It was Halloween morning when the crew decorated the exterior of the greenhouses to look like a flower market.” 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.”
Anthony also shared that a portion of the shooting also transpired at his cozy 60-year-old ranch home that stands on the same property, behind the garden center. While capturing the interior sequences in the home, the crew members made sure they preserved the original essence of the warm and inviting space. He concluded, “There was so much equipment and so many people in the house that I didn’t stick around. 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.”
Kentucky Roses Cast Details
Andrew Walker and Odette Annable lead the cast of ‘Kentucky Roses’ bringing the story to life with their compelling performances. In addition to acting, Andrew is also a talented singer who has performed a couple of songs for ‘Finding Mrs. Claus’ and ‘A Bride for Christmas.’ Similarly, Odette showcased her singing abilities in the 2018 film ‘No Sleep ‘Til Christmas.’ Together, the two talented stars share a strong on-screen chemistry that elevates the romantic narrative.
Andrew Walker as Ash Taylor
In the Lifetime film, Andrew W. Walker stars in the role of Ash Taylor, the successor/son of the CEO of Churchill Downs. He is widely recognized for his work on ‘The Torturer’ as Rick, ‘Abducted: Fugitive for Love’ as Jack Carlson, ‘Steel Toes’ as Michael Downey and ‘Snowed-Inn Christmas’ as Kevin Jenner. His compelling portrayal of Michael in ‘Steel Toes’ earned him the Best Actor award at the Phillip Borsos Awards in 2006, while he was nominated for Outstanding Performance – Male at the ACTRA Montreal Awards in 2019 for ‘Snowed-Inn Christmas.’ You can enjoy his acting prowess in popular titles such as ‘ER,’ ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?,’ ‘Stalker,’ and ‘When Calls the Heart.’
Odette Annable as Sadie
Starring alongside Andrew Walker as the greenhouse worker, Sadie, is Odette Annable. She garnered acclaim through her performance as Beth McIntyre in ‘Cloverfield,’ Casey Beldon in ‘The Unborn,’ Dr. Jessica Adams in ‘House,’ Joanna in ‘You Again,’ and Natalie in ‘The Double.’ Her depiction of Samantha Arias/Reign in ‘Supergirl’ led to her bagging the nomination for Choice TV: Villain at the Teen Choice Awards as well as Best Supporting Actress on Television at the Saturn Awards in 2018. She received the Award of Excellence for her work as Rachel Stone in ‘The Truth About Lies.’ Odette’s other credits include ‘New Girl,’ ‘Banshee,’ ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘The Astronaut Wives Club,’ ‘Tell Me a Story,’ ‘Walker,’ and ‘Under Fire.’
The romantic drama also features Peyton Meyer as Lefty, Ally Ledford as Gloria Green, and Abigail Esmena as Camila Ortiz. Other talented actors who play supporting yet important roles in the film include Gregg Henry as Frank Reed, Annie Fitzpatrick as Anna, Katherine Morgan as Delilah, Brynn Thayer as Lillie Taylor Reed, Caisey Cole as Hannah, Mark Mozingo as Shep, LeJon Woods as Dean, and Sonia Darmei Lopes as Lucia Ortiz.
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