Churchill Downs Announces Ground Breaking Partnership with Ed Brown Society

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, May 3, 2022) – Churchill Downs announced today that it has become an Ed Brown Partner. The Ed Brown Partnership of $50,000 is the highest level of participation in support of the work of the Ed Brown Society (“EBS”), named in honor of Edward Dudley Brown, who was born into enslavement in Lexington, Kentucky, and went on to become one of the most accomplished horsemen in the history of Thoroughbred racing. A press conference announcing the news was held this morning with Governor Andy Beshear in attendance, marking the one-year anniversary of his declaration of Derby Week 2021 as “Ed Brown Society Week,” in honor of the important mission of the organization.

EBS was founded by Living The Dream Racing & Stables, Thoroughbred racing syndicates managed by Greg Harbut and Ray Daniels. Most notably, Harbut and Daniels furthered the cause of minority participation in the industry through their respective ownership interests in 2020 Derby runner, Necker Island. They, along with Living The Dream Racing & Stables partners, have continued to advance diversity, equity and inclusion through EBS, which celebrates the rich history of African Americans in the equine industry and creates opportunities for young people of color to gain industry exposure, training and experience.

“The Ed Brown Society has an incredibly important mission: Providing mentorship to the next generation of African-Americans in the multi-billion-dollar horseracing industry,” Governor Beshear said. “Thank you and congratulations to both of these institutions for moving our commonwealth forward with this innovative partnership.”

“Churchill Downs is committed to strengthening diversity both within our own organization and across the entire industry,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Community Relations. “We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Ed Brown Society to further their work to create inclusive opportunities for young people of color in the horseracing industry. This company hopes to be one of the many launch pads to the success of future Ed Brown Scholars.”

“As a third-generation horseman, and one of the few African American professionals in the industry, I am extremely excited about the work of the Ed Brown Society and I am delighted that Churchill Downs has joined us to advance our mission,” said EBS Chairman Greg Harbut, whose great-grandfather was the world-renowned groom of Man O’ War.

This morning the Ed Brown Society announced the hiring of Executive Director Daryl Love. Love most recently served as the Executive Director of Career Services at Kentucky State University, a role that will be utilized greatly in the placement of Ed Brown Scholars within partner organizations like Churchill Downs.

Ed Brown Society joined Churchill Downs in 2021 when they introduced Champions for Change as part of their Kentucky Derby Week programming to demonstrate an industry-wide commitment to increasing diversity and inclusivity in the sport of horse racing. This year on May 3rd, representatives of the Ed Brown Society, including Ed Brown Scholar Deja’ Robinson, will once again be on hand at Churchill Downs for Champions Day: Champions for Change “Ladies in Racing.”