Louisville, KY, (January 25, 2016) – Churchill Downs Racetrack and QuintEvents today announced a new multi-year partnership agreement and the addition of eight new official Derby Experiences packages in premium locations for the 142nd running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks® and the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands® on May 6-7 in Louisville, KY. The new Derby Experiences packages are available at www.DerbyExperiences.com or by calling (888) 384-7088.
The new multi-year agreement extends the Churchill Downs Racetrack and QuintEvents partnership and makes new Derby Experiences packages available in the newly renovated Finish Line Suites Balcony, Stakes Room, Turf Club and Courtyard.
The demand for the Derby Experiences program has increased each year since it began in 2007. While it has always offered tiered customized packages that include tickets, travel, hotel accommodations, VIP hospitality options and a variety of other amenities, the premium products have only constituted a small percentage of the offerings and are historically sold out long before the event takes place.
“The renovations were an important part of continuing to grow the Derby Experiences program and offer additional premium experiences at Churchill Downs,” said Sarah Contardo, Vice President of Ticketing Strategy for Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We’re excited about the new renovations and how they will enhance Derby weekend for our fans.”
The program meets the high demand among businesses for private settings that facilitate networking, exclusive seating with hospitality and prime viewing. The new packages offer businesses a broader and more elegant selection of locations to entertain top clients and employees.
“Historically, these premium venues sell out long before the event, removing the opportunity for VIP guests and corporate groups looking for a premium experience to indulge in these coveted areas,” said QuintEvents’ C.E.O. Brian Learst. “These new packages will help meet that demand, and we will monitor the need for increased capacity.”
Renderings and layouts for these new seating areas, from the fifth floor to the first floor, are now available on www.DerbyExperiences.com.
The stunning Finish Line Suites Balcony boasts the best view of Churchill Downs and the racetrack. The fifth-floor covered terrace offers unobstructed views of the amazing photo finish and views of the Paddock area, where guests can watch the horses, jockeys and trainers prepare for the races.
The fourth-floor seating and hospitality in the Stakes Room and Stakes Room Balcony pays homage to the rich traditions of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby and offers guests another rare vantage point that stretches from the Paddock to the racetrack.
The new and enlarged Stakes Room on the fourth floor is a spectacular open space that features gourmet food stations, premium open bar and wagering stations. Stakes Room guests will also have access to the Stakes Room Balcony with views that span the entire length of the room and overlook the finish line. The Balcony also offers a dedicated premium open bar, gourmet food stations, access to the Stakes Room wagering stations and much more.
The third floor Turf Club, which is famous for celebrity guests, offers four new seating options. They include two indoor seating options in the new Roses Lounge, and banquette seating in the front of the Turf Club and outdoor seats on the Turf Club Balcony and Roses Terrace.
The newly designed Roses Terrace overlooks the finish line and boasts one of the few outdoor seating options in the Turf Club area. The Roses Lounge, an indoor hospitality area in the Turf Club with banquette seating, is located behind the Roses Terrace. Both areas provide views of the finish-line and access to a premium open bar and private wagering stations.
Adjacent to the Roses Lounge is new indoor seating in Row B of the Turf Club, where celebrities and dignitaries are drawn to the more intimate and private setting with simulcast TVs and bay windows for optimal race viewing.
The final new area in the Turf Club is the outdoor Balcony, which features new booth and table seating beneath a canopy and offers coveted views of the Paddock, and the famed ‘Riders Up’.
The new seating in the Turf Club’s Row B, the Roses Lounge and the Balcony include all Turf Club amenities familiar to the Derby Experiences’ Turf Club package, including a gourmet plated meal, premium open bar and access to private wagering stations on both Oaks and Derby days.
For closer heart-pounding action, the first floor Courtyard is as close as it gets. Guests will be able to view the Champion racehorses as they parade to the track from the Paddock and on their return following the triumphant victory presentation in the Winner’s Circle just feet away. Home to horse owners and trainers, this all-inclusive area will also offer a premium open bar, gourmet food buffets and private wagering stations.
In addition to premium seating and hospitality, all Derby Experiences packages can be customized to include accommodations in downtown or suburban areas, transportation to and from the racetrack and access to the most exclusive tours and parties.
Exclusive to the Derby Experiences program is the annual Fillies & Lilies Party, entering its third year and now a staple during Derby Week. From the exclusive Bourbon Lounge to the gourmet hors d’oeuvres, premium open bars and headliners that have ranged from Wynonna Judd to Sara Evans, Derby and Country-music fans clamor for tickets to this Derby-eve party, accessible to Derby Experience clients and the general public. This year, Country Music Hall of Famer, Vince Gill, will headline the entertainment, proving once again the star-power draw that this party is known for. The 2016 Fillies & Lilies charity beneficiary is the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds.
With the 2016 additions, Derby Experiences now offers over 30 different types of packages, at different price levels and access, some already inclusive of the Fillies & Lilies party, to service a wide range of clients’ desires. For more information on the Derby Experiences program, and a full listing of packages, visit www.DerbyExperiences.com or call (888) 384-7088.
About Churchill Downs Racetrack Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 142st running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 7, 2016. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships eight times. Information is available at www.ChurchillDowns.com.
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Contact: Steve Griffith, Vizion Group PR, (484) 433-7757, sgriffith@viziongroup.net
