Newly Renovated Paddock Revives The Heartbeat of Churchill Downs

by:Nick Roush•04/24/24•

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Churchill Downs has made around $2 billion in capital campaign investments over the last two decades. Each new addition and renovation is built for a different audience. The new Paddock has something for everyone who walks by the iconic Twin Spires at the historic racetrack.

“The Paddock is the heartbeat of the racetrack,” said Churchill Downs spokesperson Darren Rogers.

Churchill Downs spent approximately $200 million to construct the new Paddock, which has doubled its footprint in almost every possible way. The space for horsemen went from 5,000 to more than 12,000 sq. ft. Two new deluxe luxury suites were added, creating about 800 total seats. As for the everyman, no longer will you be fighting for one of the two dozen bench seats. There are now around 3,600 seats, with five rows of bar-like tabletops near the rail for you to rest your drinks and mark up a program.

I’d consider myself one of those Average Joes who spends more days at the racetrack outside of Derby Week. A frequent flyer to night races and Twilight Thursdays, the Paddock is my meeting spot to gather for a drink, pick some ponies, and run into old friends.

When initial renderings of the project were released, I was skeptical, and that’s putting it nicely. In April 2022, I wrote that Churchill Downs “missed the mark” by creating a coliseum in the middle of the racetrack, removing the communal aspect. Boy, was I wrong.

Don’t be mistaken, the new construction is coliseum-like. It’s difficult to capture the scale of this massive project in words or pictures. You simply have to see it. As we were guided through the new area, there were several “wows” and “holy shits” from starstruck media members.

Most importantly, the communal aspect of the Paddock remains intact. Granted, you are a little farther away from the horses, but there is still plenty of room to see the horses and the races on four enormous screens from the ground floor. Up above, the new Paddock Terrance is reminiscent of the Belvedere, providing a large open space for vendors and a stage for events like Saturday night’s Kentucky Derby post position draw. There you can also see some of the facade of the original grandstand, which has been remastered to add a semblance of history.

A primary goal of the project was to bring the iconic Twin Spires to the forefront. Now the first thing you see when you enter the racetrack, they stand front and center, towering over the horses as they prepare to race. Whether you’re a celebrity or a local degenerate, an owner or a groomer, the new Paddock has improved the experience for every patron who walks through the gates at Churchill Downs.

A Few Impressive Perks

Before I get to the luxury suites, let me tell you about something that every person will appreciate about the new Paddock. Not every person is an expert handicapper. Ribbon boards have been installed over the stalls. While the horses prepare for the race, above their stall you’ll find the horse’s name, its odds, trainer, and jockey all in one convenient location.

As for the wealthy demographic, if you’ve got $15,000 to spend on two days at the track, you’ve in for a treat. Churchill Downs toured Jerry World where they saw the suites that line the tunnel from the locker room to the field. The Woodford Reserve Jockey Club and the SI Club put patrons in a similar spot, right next to the horses as they prepare for a race.

The SI Club costs around $12,000 per seat for Oaks and Derby. It will be used for other premiere race days, like the Stephen Foster Stakes Day and a few night races. The Jockey Club is exclusively available for Oaks and Derby and the $15k price tag comes with an additional perk.

Each Jockey Club patron will have a pass to actually go inside the Paddock ahead of each race. A tunnel was constructed to make you feel like you’re walking to an old speak-easy. Dimly lit, it’s lined with bourbon barrels that still smell like the spirit. At the end of a tunnel is a mural of roses. Paint cans were still on the ground as the artist touched up the piece, leading to the sunny Paddock.

Tour the New Paddock at Churchill Downs

KSR’s expert videographer Steven Peake joined me to capture what I could not say in words. Join us as we take you through the new $200 million Churchill Downs Paddock.