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Man in Hospice Had Final Wish of Attending His 80th Kentucky Derby, and It's Coming True
Churchill Downs responded to a public appeal and gave the 89-year-old hospice patient tickets so he can keep his 79-Derby streak alive.
Churchill Downs gifted tickets to 89-year-old Bob Weihe, enabling the hospice patient to attend his 80th Kentucky Derby this Saturday. Reporter David Begnaud delivered the news, making Weihe's final wish a reality.
Weihe's remarkable streak of 79 consecutive Kentucky Derbies began in 1946 when he attended his first race at age 8 with his mother. He aimed to reach the 80-Derby milestone before his life ended.
The 89-year-old Louisville native is in hospice care, using a wheelchair and oxygen. His wife, Barbara, has accompanied him to 62 Derbies since 1957, supporting his lifelong passion.
After a public appeal highlighting Weihe's inability to afford tickets this year, Churchill Downs responded directly to requests for assistance. The company provided passage for Weihe, his wife, and his caretaker.
Weihe noted, "Once you go, you get a bug for it," describing his lifelong addiction to the Derby. This Saturday, he will complete his 80-Derby journey, fulfilling a wish that meant a great deal to him.