Churchill Downs strikes $85m deal for Preakness intellectual property rights

Kentucky Derby owner to buy Preakness trademarks Maryland will keep staging race under licensing deal Move comes amid Triple Crown scheduling debate Churchill Downs has reached a deal to acquire the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes, the company announced Tuesday, in a move that brings one of US thoroughbred racing’s most celebrated events under the same corporate umbrella as the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs Inc said it will pay $85m to buy the trademarks and associated rights to the Preakness and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Maryland LLC, an affiliate of 1/ST Racing. Continue reading...

Bryan Armen Graham · Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 9:52 AM
US news | The Guardian

Churchill Downs strikes $85m deal for Preakness intellectual property rights

Kentucky Derby owner to buy Preakness trademarks
Maryland will keep staging race under licensing deal
Move comes amid Triple Crown scheduling debate

Churchill Downs has reached a deal to acquire the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes, the company announced Tuesday, in a move that brings one of US thoroughbred racing’s most celebrated events under the same corporate umbrella as the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs Inc said it will pay $85m to buy the trademarks and associated rights to the Preakness and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Maryland LLC, an affiliate of 1/ST Racing.

This page shows an excerpt; reporting belongs to the original publisher. Some images or embeds may be omitted compared with the live article.