CHURCHILL DOWNS RACING CLUB

Experience Thoroughbred Ownership: Your low risk pathway to becoming a racehorse owner.

Churchill Downs

 

 

 

The Churchill Downs Racing Club -- your low risk pathway to becoming a racehorse owner. The 2023 Churchill Downs Racing Club will have several offerings – with trainers to be determined soon. The club is a low cost, low risk glimpse into the life of a thoroughbred owner. Organized visits to the track in the early mornings to watch your horse conduct morning training routines, experience the Paddock enclosure just prior to the race, listen in as your trainer gives final instructions to the jockey, watch and enjoy your horse as he competes at The World’s Most Legendary Racetrack® and hopefully experience the thrill of visiting the Winners’ Circle!

The goal of the 2023 clubs will be to sell 200 memberships each at $500. With that $100,000, the trainer will purchase an unraced two-year-old for approximately $50,000 and the remaining balance will be used to cover the expenses of the horse. The club will continue as long as there is funding in the account and winnings from this club’s horse could lead to the purchase of other horses for the group.

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Churchill Downs Racing Club:

  • First club of 2023 will be trained by Greg Foley
  • $500 One Time Membership Fee (used to pay for training fees & expenses)*
  • Receive regular updates on the program via email or on the dedicated club social media channels
  • Interact with other racing Club Members at dedicated club functions and race days
  • All horses to be selected by the trainer and all decisions on the horse will be made by the trainer on behalf of the Club

*Processing fees may apply

Perks of Being a Club Member

  • A behind-the-scenes look into thoroughbred ownership
  • Breakfast during select morning workouts to watch the club's horses train and prepare for racing
  • Access to Paddock Area for club members in the club’s horse races
  • Free General Admission for you and a guest to the 2023 Churchill Downs Race Meets (excludes Oaks & Derby days)

Not For Profit Organization

  • By joining the club you agree to the membership agreement provided below
  • The club is organized as a 501C7 Not for Profit Social Club
  • The Club is structured as a not-for-profit educational association meaning you should not join the Club with any profit motive or expectation of profit. Understand that you may not receive back any of your $500 membership fee and should a profit be made the club’s directors will make a determination of the excess funds

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Churchill Downs Horsemen shuttle map (PDF)

CHURCHILL DOWNS RACING CLUB 2023 MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

I WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCHILL DOWNS RACING CLUB, INC. (THE “CLUB”). I UNDERSTAND, REPRESENT AND AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1.Purpose. I understand that the purpose of the Club is to provide an educational experience of Thoroughbred horse ownership through participation in a not-for-profit social club organized for pleasure, recreational and other nonprofitable purposes that owns, trains and races Thoroughbred racehorses.
2.Club Activities. I understand that:(a) the 2023 Club will initially own up to two racehorses with plans to race at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky; (b) up to 200 memberships in the Club will be sold in 2023 at $500 each and the funds raised from these membership dues will be used to pay the purchase price for the horses, as well as for training fees and other expenses; (c) membership dues will be deposited into a horsemen’s account and expenses will be paid from this account; (d) the horse trainer(s) will be at the discretion of CDRT Racing team; Gary Palmisano, Cathy Shircliff or Mike Ziegler will represent the Club’s interest as the Club manager(s) of the horses; (e) I will receive communications through social media and emails about the horses’ activities; (f) the Club may, upon the trainer’s recommendation, purchase additional horses; (g) all horses of the Club will be selected by the trainer and all decisions on the horses will be made by the trainer on behalf of the Club; (h) if there are any funds remaining after return of all membership dues, a decision about the disbursement of any excess funds to a designated aftercare nonprofit will be determined by the directors of the Club and (j) Club activities may take place at a racetrack, which is subject to safety considerations, and I agree to be bound by and abide by rules and regulations of the racetrack.
3.No pecuniary profit. I understand that the Club is organized as a not-for-profit social club, and I am not joining the Club with any profit motive or expectation of profit. I understand that I may not receive back any of my $500 membership dues and agree that the maximum I may receive back at anytime is $500 or such lesser amount as determined by the directors of the Club.
4.Release. I recognize that hazards and risks are inherent in owning, training and racing Thoroughbred racehorses and related activities.I hereby acknowledge voluntary participation in the Club and, by my signature below, hereby release and forever discharge the Club, its affiliates and all directors, officers and agents of the foregoing from any and all liability of whatever kind arising from my participation in the Club; further, I waive all claims of all kinds against all and any of the foregoing arising from participation in the Club.This release shall be binding upon me, my immediate family members (including without limitation, my spouse and any children as applicable) and my heirs, successors and assigns. I also understand and agree that this release contemplates the release and discharge of any and all other claims that may exist or arise in the future as a result of any aforementioned occurrence and any injuries, illness, loss (including death) or damages to persons or property (including loss of use of property) allegedly sustained thereby by me.
5. Only Agreement. I agree this is the only agreement or understanding that applies to my interest in the Club.

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