Churchill Downs will give 200 people a low-cost pathway to the excitement of Thoroughbred racehorse ownership with the 2017 Churchill Downs Racing Club.
For one-time membership dues of $500 for 2017, members will experience Thoroughbred racehorse ownership with a horse that will be purchased, trained, and managed by Dallas Stewart, the Kentucky Oaks (G1)-winning trainer who has won more than 750 races. The Thoroughbred will be prepared to race during the upcoming 2017 spring meet that opens April 29 and continues for 38 days through June 30.
The club is a low-cost, low-risk glimpse into the life of Thoroughbred ownership. Churchill Downs VIP services manager Gary Palmisano will represent the club's interest and serve as a liaison for the club's members. Benefits will include regular email updates on the horse, visits to the track in the early mornings—and breakfast on select days—to watch the horse train, trips to the paddock, watching the race in a group setting, and hopefully experiencing the thrill of visiting the G.H. MUMM Winners' Circle. Each member will receive free general admission for two to Churchill Downs in 2017, and invitations to exclusive Churchill Downs Racing Club events at the track.
"Owning a racehorse is one of the most exciting experiences in all of sports," said Mike Ziegler, executive director of racing for Churchill Downs Inc. "We gave our fans an opportunity to learn what it's all about last year and had a tremendous amount of fun— and luck—working with Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas and the two exceptional club horses, Warrior's Club and Dial Me. We're hoping this year's club can be just as successful."
The Churchill Downs Racing Club was inaugurated in 2016 with Dial Me, a 3-year-old filly by Dialed In , who has one victory and earnings of $52,257. Dial Me is preparing to race on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks. Warrior's Club, a 3-year-old colt by Warrior's Reward who has a lifetime record of 11-2-2-3 and earnings of $214,424, is on target to start in the Pat Day Mile (G3) on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) program.
Interested parties are invited to register online at ChurchillDowns.com/RacingClub.
The Churchill Downs Racing Club 2017 membership will be limited to 200 members. The $500 annual membership dues will be used to purchase a Thoroughbred and pay for its training fees and expenses, which will be disclosed regularly to the members. There will be no additional dues for 2017.
The Churchill Downs Racing Club is a 501(c)(7) not-for-profit social club organized for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofitable purposes. Members should not join with any profit motive or expectation of profit.