First turn of the Kentucky Derby race, 1995. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs
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Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, one of North America's premier
racing centers, officially opened in 1875, beginning its tradition
as "Home of the Kentucky Derby," America's oldest continuously held
sporting event.
Horse racing in Louisville dates back to 1789 when
races were held down Market Street. Several race tracks followed in
less busy areas around the city. During a trip abroad from 1872 to
1873, 26-year-old Colonel M. Lewis Clark devised a plan to create
the Louisville Jockey Club for conducting race meets, after meeting
with prominent racing leaders in France and England. Upon his
return, Clark developed a racetrack, which would become known as
Churchill Downs that would showcase Kentucky's breeding industry.
To fund construction of the project, he sold 320 membership
subscriptions to the track for $100 each. Clark then leased eighty
acres of land, about three miles south of Louisville's downtown,
from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill, for the track, a
clubhouse, grandstand, and porter's lodge.
For the inaugural race meet on May 17, 1875, Clark
designed three major stakes races: the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky
Oaks, and Clark Handicap. These events have been held continuously
at Churchill since their debut. The first reference of this track
as "Churchill Downs" is documented in an 1883 newspaper article. A
new grandstand was completed in 1895 on the opposite side of the
track for $100,000. The grandstand's two spires constructed atop
its roof would become the symbol of Churchill Downs and the
Kentucky Derby. The track was incorporated as Churchill Downs in
1937.
Documentation comprises two videotapes of post race
interviews (1998 and 1999); 23 photographs; an audio cassette of
race calls; a 125th Kentucky Derby Program (1999); a 264-page
Kentucky Derby Media Guide; and a promotional collage.
Originally submitted by: Anne M. Northup, Representative (3rd District).
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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