Origins of Churchill Downs traced back to founder's European visits and Paris racing inspiration.

Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., descendant of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, journeyed to England in 1872. After visiting Epsom where The Derby had been a historic event, he continued to Paris, France. In Paris, Clark engaged with a group of avid racing supporters who established the French Jockey Club in 1863. They hosted the prestigious Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, a renowned race in France. Upon his return to Kentucky, Clark initiated the creation of the Louisville Jockey Club. The club aimed to fund the development of premier racing facilities just outside the city. This initiative led to the establishment of Churchill Downs, named after John and Henry Churchill, who contributed the land for the track. The official renaming took place in 1937. The formation of Churchill Downs and the ensuing Kentucky Derby represented a significant milestone in horse racing history, merging European racing influences with American ingenuity. This pivotal event laid the foundation for one of the most prestigious horse races in the United States, garnering international acclaim over the years. #KentuckyDerby #HorseRacingHistory #ChurchillDowns #Epsom #Longchamp #LouisvilleJockeyClub