Murder at the Derby (2025 Lifetime Movie)
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Cast: Ronni Hawk, Kate Watson, Daniel O’Reilly, Candace Kirkpatrick
Director: Brittany Underwood
Writer(s): John F. Hayes
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
Kara lands her dream job of working at a prestigious horse stable under the tutelage of Jennifer. As Kara’s relationship with Jennifer grows, tensions escalate with Jennifer’s jealous brother Stephen that throw everyone’s lives into danger. Stars Ronni Hawk, Daniel O’Reilly, and Kate Watson (2025).
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie starts with Rosemont horse stable set ablaze in the middle of the night.
Cut to Kara riding a horse, prepping him for the derby. The farm owner, Reggie, tells Kara that not everyone has the drive. Kara is a HORSE GURL and talks about horses. Her family seems annoyed with her constant horse chatter, and Kara’s mother drags her for not becoming a vet. Kara tells her mother that training is what she wants to do.
Jenny’s dream of being a horse trainer seems to be in jeopardy when Reggie fires her the next day. Reggie has arranged for Kara to work for Jenny, an established horse racer for Rosemont Horse Stables, a family business. Jenny offers Kara an assistant horse training position for the season.
Rosemont Horse Stables is in trouble, and Jenny’s big brother Stephen has been mismanaging the horses they submit for racing. The matriarch, Evelyn, sides with Jenny and wants her to manage the business, much to Stephen’s dismay. The stress makes Evelyn sick, and she worries she won’t be around much longer to mediate. (The sibling rivalry is real.)
Kara is responsible for a horse named Shadow but also has an eye on Stephen’s son, Justin. (Who wouldn’t?) Kara works with Justin to get the horses ready, and Stephen gives them orders that go against what Jenny told them to do. (Putting Shadow’s training health in jeopardy.) Stephen warns his son not to “slum it” with the help.
HORSE TRAINING/FALLING IN LOVE MONTAGE
Shadow is a little under the weather, so Kara uses those vet skills and pulls out the whores meds. (Like literally horse tranquilizers.) Kara works late at night by herself with a shadow, and Stephen confronts her. He tells Kara that Rosemont is a legacy and warns her not to get too comfortable.
It is race day, and Shadow seems ready for the season. The Rosemont family watches from the VIP box and is a part of the country club. Everyone is dressed for the occasion and celebrates when Shadow places second. (Justin should just have his shirt off the entire movie.) Jenny gives Kara all the credit when talking to the press. Later, at the Rosemont estate, Evelyn congratulates Kara and seems to be shipping Kara and her grandson. Justin and Kara make out by a bunch of old cars, and it is giving off a Titanic vibe.
Evelyn kicks Stephen out of the family business and writes him out of her will. He becomes irate and tells his mother it is a good thing she won’t be around much longer. Kara overhears the conversation and becomes concerned for her employer. She should because Stephen visits the horse stables, steals some medicine, and spikes his mother’s whiskey. Evelyn quickly drinks the whiskey, but Stephen can’t wait and suffocates her with a pillow.
Kara stays to help the family through a difficult time, and Jenny appreciates her help. The family has a funeral and mourns Evelyn. Kara keeps an eye on Stephen the whole time and continues to be suspicious of him. With no proof of his wrongdoing, Kara keeps quiet and observes. Stephen invites Kara and her mother to dinner while subtly shading her attire. (He does the same thing during dinner, what a shady bitch!)
Upset and discouraged, Kara spends time alone and starts piecing things together. She notices the whiskey bottle askew and a bottle of horse tranquilizers missing from the inventory. Kara confronts Stephen in the horse stables, and he grabs her arm. Jenny breaks up the altercation and kicks Stephen off the property for good.
Stephen tries to get Justin to come with him, but Justin refuses. Stephen buys another horse and plans to beat Shadow at the derby.
We are back to the night the horse stable is set on fire, and we see that Stephen is the one who started the blaze. Jenny rushes out to save Shadow. She ends up in the hospital with injuries and smoke inhalation. Reggie fills in as head trainer and helps Kara prepare Shadow for the derby.
It is Derby Day! Everyone watches with bated breath. Shadow wins, and Stephen is salty. Kara becomes the first woman trainer to win first place. She makes a speech about all the females who helped her along the way, and Kara’s mother is finally proud of her daughter.
At the celebration party, Stephen is still a jerk. He tells Kara to enjoy her time on top because he will take her down. Kara feels threatened and tries to tell Justin what she knows, but he takes his father’s side.
Meanwhile, Stephen blackmails Shadow’s rider to report Kara for Stephen’s crimes. Investigators question Karam, so she confronts the rider, who admits he was lying; Kara asks him to tell Justin the truth so they can stop Stephen. They go to the police with the information, but have no evidence.
Stephen chloroforms Kara and kidnaps her. Justin becomes concerned when Kara stops picking up her phone. He notices a set of keys to the horse stable is missing and rushes to Kara.
Kara is tied up in the horse stables while Stephen tells her his villainous plan. He plans to frame Kara for Evelyn’s murder and make it look like she tried to do the same to him. The Rosemont name carries a lot of weight. Justin shows up Justin-time, and he tries to stop his father.
Justin and Kara lock Stephen in a horse stable and run to the estate’s old car room. Stephen chases after them as they run all over the estate. Stephen is relentless and continues to come after them. He beats them both with a golf club and flashes back to his abusive childhood. That sends him into a rage. Kara eventually takes him out with a bookcase.
Stephen is arrested, and Kara continues to work on the family estate and openly dates Justin. She literally rides off into the sunset. The end!
STRAY Thoughts
Brittany Underwood makes some fun and interesting directorial choices. I really like her style.
This movie is being released just in time for the Kentucky Derby!
Overall rating
Number of Kills: 🔪 (1 knife)
Lifetime Tropes: Inheritance Drama, Sibling rivalries, Shady parents, Shirtless hunks, Murder, Chloroform,
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷🍷 (3 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it Up (Give it a shot!)
Put a Cork in it (Skip it!)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media at @LifetimeUncorked and @patrickmiguel.
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