In 1919, a syndicate of horse breeders established the Kentucky Jockey Club to consolidate the state's thoroughbred racing industry. The track formally opened on May 17, 1875, with four races scheduled including the day's featured race, the Kentucky Derby. The track would eventually become known as Churchill Downs. Upon his return from Europe, Clark began development of his racetrack, which would serve to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry. Clark toured and visited with a number of notable racing leaders, including England's Admiral Rous and France's Vicomte Darn, vice president of the French Jockey Club. While traveling in England and France in 1872–1873, 26-year-old Meriwether Lewis Clark devised the idea of a Louisville Jockey Club for conducting race meets. The company has evolved from one racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, to a multi American-state-wide, publicly traded company with racetracks, casinos and an online wagering company among its portfolio of businesses.Ĭhurchill Downs Incorporated began with the opening of one legendary racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1875. Churchill Downs Incorporated is the parent company of Churchill Downs.
