Churchill Downs to help him run the rack was Col. Matt Winn of Louisville. Churchill Downs prospered and the Kentucky Derby then became the preeminent stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses in North America. During that early period, a new clubhouse was built in order to promote social interaction, and new events such as steeplechases, automobile races, and band concerts were held at the track. The State Fair was held on the grounds, featuring the odd spectacle of two locomotives being intentionally crashed head-on in the infield. On June 5, 1907, African American jockey James Lee set a record that has never
Duel on the Downs Duel on the Downs The Duel on the Downs was the name given to the 2011 running of the Sussex Stakes horse race. It took place at Goodwood Racecourse on 27 July 2011. The race featured a clash between the undefeated three-year-old Frankel and the leading older miler Canford Cliffs. The races nickname derived from the fact that the racecourse is situated on the South Downs. The race attracted only four runners, three from the United Kingdom and one from France. Frankel, trained by Henry Cecil at Newmarket and ridden by Tom Queally started the 8/13 favourite. Having been named