The iconic Churchill Downs and tech giant SAP have joined forces to revolutionize the Kentucky Derby for its 150th anniversary! As the official technology provider for the Run for the Roses, SAP’s emblem will be highly visible throughout the festivities, including on the starting gate boxes. This alliance will also bring spectators closer to the thrill than ever before via an improved Churchill Downs smartphone application. Bill Mudd, President and COO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, shared his excitement for the partnership, stressing SAP’s parallel dedication to superiority. Lloyd Adams, President of SAP North America, mirrored this feeling, underscoring the importance of working with such a historic spectacle. This collaboration is poised to be groundbreaking, utilizing SAP’s innovative technology to elevate the Kentucky Derby to unprecedented levels of grandeur.
This collaboration arises from a joint venture between Churchill Downs Incorporated and Sports Illustrated, aiming to obtain title rights for the “SI Club,” an upscale dining venue at the Kentucky Derby.
As a component of a broader $200 million modernization initiative by CDI in anticipation of the 150th Kentucky Derby, the club will premiere on May 4th during Derby Week 2024. It will provide patrons with a lavish, equestrian-inspired dining atmosphere featuring vistas overlooking the renovated Paddock and Paddock Run.
Separately, Churchill Downs Incorporated also recently debuted Derby City Gaming Downtown, a Kentucky Derby-themed entertainment complex showcasing Historical Racing Machines (HRMs), opportunities for wagering on horse races and sporting events, and a Kentucky Derby merchandise outlet. This establishment, currently accessible to the public, represents CDI’s sixth HRM location within Kentucky and has generated over 150 full-time positions for the regional workforce.
