The famed Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, has partnered with tech leader SAP in a multi-year agreement. As the official technology provider for Churchill Downs, SAP seeks to transform the guest experience, particularly for the upcoming 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. This alliance grants SAP exclusive technology privileges across Churchill Downs Racetrack, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks. The agreement also encompasses naming rights for a group of premium suites, now designated as the SAP Starting Gate Suites, and co-branding of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs mobile applications.
Bill Mudd, President and COO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, conveyed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting SAP’s worldwide reach and aligned commitment to progress. Lloyd Adams, CEO of SAP America, shared the sentiment, underscoring the importance of joining forces with such a storied and esteemed event. He voiced eagerness to collaborate with Churchill Downs Incorporated and utilize SAP’s knowledge to bolster their expansion.
Churchill Downs, the company behind the Kentucky Derby, has teamed up with Sports Illustrated to debut the “SI Club,” an upscale dining venue at the famed racetrack.
This new club is one element of a major, $200 million upgrade project at Churchill Downs in anticipation of the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024. Patrons will experience exquisite, horse-centric cuisine and have exceptional sightlines of the redesigned paddock and saddling location.
Beyond the SI Club, Churchill Downs Incorporated has also unveiled Derby City Gaming Downtown, a gaming establishment themed around the Kentucky Derby. It showcases historical racing machines, simulcasting for both horse racing and sports wagering, and a Kentucky Derby souvenir shop. This fresh addition, now welcoming guests, represents CDI’s sixth historical racing machine facility within Kentucky and has generated over 150 full-time positions in the area.