LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Armed with a construction hat and a tour guide, The Athletic took a private tour of the new paddock at Churchill Downs in February, getting a first look at the redesigned space that race fans will enjoy starting this weekend. It is, in a word, monstrous. The once 5,000-square-foot space has been blown out to 12,000, with more seats and a balcony view, to boot.
Construction underway at Churchill Downs in February
Paddock renovations at Churchill Downs
At an estimated cost of $200 million and completed in a year’s time, the renovation is a much-needed reboot to a popular place to congregate on race day — and especially on the first Saturday in May. On Kentucky Derby day, the old paddock was always stuffed with attendees who were there to view the races on the big boards, observe the horses in the stalls or simply people-watch. It was difficult to maneuver around and often so crowded that it was tough to see the actual horses.
Now, the entire space is flipped. Where once racegoers came through the gates and saw the back of the paddock, now they’re greeted with an expansive view of the iconic twin spires, the paddock — dropped seven feet below — spread before them. Rimmed with a 3,200 standing-room-only tier, it’s also topped with a wide balcony, allowing for more than double the spectators.
A club bar coming into shape
Much of the space, admittedly, is for the people with big money to spend. Two exclusive clubs — Club SI and the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club — rim the edge of the paddock, allowing people who can pay the price of admission to not only belly up to the bar, but grab a table at a window that doubles as the back wall of the horses’ stalls. The glass, it should be noted, is one-sided; people can see the horses, but the easily spooked animals can’t see the folks staring at them.
There are more high-end areas — the Spires Terrace and Suites offers a view of both the paddock and track from just beneath the actual spires — and there’s even a hidden speakeasy, making for double top-secret exclusivity.
What’s impressive, though not surprising, is that the redesign kept the essence of the track. In some areas that were demoed, workers repurposed the original construction materials. In the president’s hallway, connecting the paddock to the grandstand, the old brick has been exposed.
Newly exposed brick in the president’s hallway
In other words, the history of the place remains.
(Photos by Dana O’Neil)
