Bill Carstanjen

'Kentucky Roses,' a new Hallmark movie that premiered on their channel May 2 and began streaming through Hallmark+ May 3, is nothing short of a triumph for the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Set on the grounds of iconic Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week, here's a film that has something for everyone. It's good, clean fun, but it also deals with myriad issues including class division, gender identity and the labyrinth that is family history. Most of all though, if you are trying to hook someone that knows next to...

Two days after Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) announced its intent to acquire the intellectual property rights to the GI Preakness Stakes and the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for $85 million, the firm's chief executive officer, Bill Carstanjen, said Thursday during a quarterly earnings conference call that the state of Maryland remains "in control" of the overall Thoroughbred racing product and its infrastructure, but that CDI's "real team of experts" is ready to assist if asked to help grow those assets. Although Carstanjen detailed the annual fee structure for licensing the...

Second Stride plans to honor Mary Nixon with the Industry Champion Award, and Jan and Joan Carstanjen with the Volunteer Award, the non-profit said via a press release on Tuesday. Both will be presented at the organization's Champions Night at Valhalla Golf Club on Monday, Apr. 27. Mary Nixon has been named the third recipient of Second Stride's Industry Champion Award, an honor given to someone within the racing community who has shown distinguished support and transformative dedication to the horses of Second Stride. Additionally, Jan and Joan Carstanjen, parents...

Churchill Downs Incorporated has entered into an agreement to acquire the intellectual property, including all trademarks and associated rights, of the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan from 1/ST Maryland LLC, the company announced Tuesday morning. The purchase price was $85 million and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions. Under the terms of the deal, CDI will license to the state of Maryland the intellectual property rights necessary to conduct the running of the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in exchange for an annual fee. "This acquisition adds...

A federal court in Kentucky on Wednesday issued a declaratory judgement in a lawsuit brought by Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Authority (HISA), ruling that assessment fees based on a purse-weighted methodology that the Authority used between 2022 and 2024 were "arbitrary and capricious, and therefore unlawful." However, the ruling did not vacate any of the previously issued HISA orders relating to those fees, noting that since the start of 2026, HISA and its governmental overseer, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), have abandoned the...

A new four-story structure called Victory Run, which will include private suites, indoor and outdoor dining, and covered box seating, will be built on the first turn of the Churchill Downs Racetrack, according to a release from Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) Wednesday afternoon. To be built between the First Turn Club and the Skye Terrace, it will replace approximately 6,400 uncovered, ground-level box seats and dining areas with a new space for approximately 7,800 guests. CDI anticipates the project will cost between $280 million and $300 million. "We are excited...

A trio of new points-bearing races on the European / Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby series have been added to the lineup for 2026, according to a Churchill Downs Incorporated release Tuesday. The G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, G3 Saudi Derby and Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes (formerly the Al Bastakiya) will now award qualifying points toward up to two invitations for 3-year-olds to compete in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.   New European / Middle East Road...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's proposed 2026 budget has been out for its mandatory public comment period and is now before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The topline comes out to just over $78.4 million. If credits to the industry are fully applied, then the cost to the industry is around $60.4 million. HISA has already responded to nine public comments posted to the federal register. Its response, however, doesn't include those subsequently submitted by Churchill Downs Incorporated's (CDI) CEO, Bill Carstanjen. CDI is hardly an impartial voice in...

NBC Sports will showcase the 2026 GI Longines Kentucky Oaks in prime time for the first time ever in 2026, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Thursday. The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring racing's best 3-year-old fillies, will be presented Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In addition to racing, Kentucky Oaks traditions centered around fashion and women's health advocacy will remain central pillars of the event pageantry--now culminating in a twilight finish. "We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in prime time for the first...

CEO Bill Carstanjen of Churchill Downs Inc. will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the Racing & Gaming Conference at Saratoga, which will take place from Aug. 11-13, the organizers said in a Wednesday press release. The conference will feature 12 panel discussions concerning industry issues. Attendees will also enjoy a reception at the Adelphi Hotel, a networking happy hour, and a day at the races at Saratoga Race Course. "It's a privilege to join this year's Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga and contribute to the conversation around racing...

Following the news of his passing, tributes  to legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas poured in from across the industry Sunday. "A four-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years. We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport's biggest days." Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated "D. Wayne Lukas was...

There are "active discussions" between representatives of Churchill Downs Inc. and officials in Louisiana to reach some kind of agreement to see the owners of Fair Grounds continue to operate live racing at the track, according to a report Friday in DRF. Earlier this week, CDI's chief executive, Bill Carstanjen, sent a letter to the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) and to some of the state's high-ranking politicians, warning that the track's inability to operate historic horse racing machines (HHR) at its OTBs put the company in a precarious economic...