The iconic Churchill Downs has teamed up with the renowned Sports Illustrated publication to offer a high-end dining opportunity for the Kentucky Derby! The well-known 1895 Club is getting a makeover and will be rebranded as “Club SI” just in time for the 2024 Derby festivities. Imagine elevated Southern fare with exceptional vistas of the paddock and racetrack – all adorned with memorable SI front pages and Kentucky Derby images. This is merely one element of a substantial refurbishment endeavor that Churchill Downs has been undertaking as they gear up to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby.
Michael Sherman, a high-ranking official at Sports Illustrated, conveyed his enthusiasm for introducing the Club SI concept to the historic Churchill Downs. He underscored the publication’s extensive history of documenting the Kentucky Derby’s storied past.
He stressed that Club SI would embody the brand’s legendary stature, offering an elite setting for prominent figures and VIP guests to partake in gourmet cuisine, beverages, and unrivaled race viewing from a newly established infield position. This, he noted, would cultivate a memorable Derby occasion, particularly for the 150th commemoration.
Enhancing the fervor, Churchill Downs Incorporated also unveiled the Derby City Gaming Downtown, a novel gaming establishment inspired by the Kentucky Derby, for the public’s enjoyment.
