Battle Of... Horse Racetracks

RELATED ARTICLE: IN PICTURES: Meydan Racecourse

Architect compares and contrasts two horse racetracks

Churchill Downs

Location Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Founded 1875
Owner/operator Churchill Downs Inc.
Renovation (2004) Sullivan & Cozart
Cost of renovation US $121 million
Facilities Museum, cinema, training facilities, clubhouse
Dirt track 1.6km
Turf track 1.4km
Spectator capacity 50,000 (stands); 150,000 (including paddock)
Renovation start 2001
Renovation finish 2005

Facts

• The twin spires atop the grandstands are the most recognizable architectural feature of Churchill Downs. They were designed by architect Joseph Dominic Baldez and built in 1895.
• In 2006, it became the first horse track to host a Rolling Stones concert.
• Phase II saw 4,500 tonnes of structural steel used for the clubhouse.
• On June 5, 1907, African-American jockey James Lee set a record that has never been beaten when he won the entire six-race card at Churchill Downs.

Meydan Racecourse

Location Dubai, UAE
Founded 2010
Master planner TAK (Malaysia)
Construction CSCEC & Mammut Building Systems
Total area 18.6 million m²
Facilities Museum, marina, IMAX, golf course, 8,622-vehicle car park
Dirt track 1.7km
Turf track 2.4km
Spectator capacity 60,000
Project start June 2007
Grandstand finish January 2010

Facts

• The upper side of the roof contains 4,840 PV panels which generate 750kw of electricity.
• The underside of the roof is made of titanium and took 9,000 tonnes of steel to create.
• Features the world’s largest LED screen with a screen area of 1,213m².
• The cantilevered crescent runs 426m in length and spans 56m across.
• The grandstand is 1.6km long, or the length of 22 Boeing 747s.