Winchester was in the national spotlight Saturday at the 145th Kentucky Derby.

Triple Crown Silks, located in Winchester, had silks they made on two horses including first place finisher Country House, ridden by Flavien Prat and third place finisher Tacitus, owned by Juddmonte Farms.

They had also sewed silks for Omaha Beach, owned by Fox Hill Farms, but Omaha Beach was scratched from the roster to undergo surgery for a breathing issue.

Brenda Byarski and Teresa Estes sewed the silks.

Byarski said they didn’t know about Country House being in the derby until they delivered the silk. Byarski said it came as a surprise, and it was an even bigger surprise when Country House was announced the winner after Maximum Security was disqualified.

“We were really shocked when Country House came in first,” Byarski said. “It was exciting.”

According to Triple Crown Silks’ website, its seamstresses have made more than 2,000 thoroughbred racing silks since its start in 2012 and have more than 70 years of combined sewing experience.

Byarski said she and Estes have been sewing since they were about 8 years old and sewed silks for a company in Lexington before starting Triple Crown Silks.

“We love working with customers,” she said. “We try to have good customer service and make their designs come to life.”

Byarski said it is their fourth year having silks in the derby, but the first time having silks on top finishers.

The typical cost of a silk jacket starts at $160 and the cost increases as additional details and other factors are included.

“I don’t think we’ve finished first, second or third any year,” she said.

Byarski said Triple Crown Silks contributes part of its proceeds to Beacon of Hope and Clark County Community Services.

“We try to support our immediate community,” she said.

Byarski said it was a dream come true to have their silks on a derby winner.

“We were always hoping,” she said. “When we started that was a goal, but you can’t target something like that. You just take the customers as they come, and if you’re lucky enough, it will happen… and when it does, we cheer them on.”