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Equestrian

Churchill Downs Thurby Tickets

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 based on 84 reviews

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Reviews

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 based on 84 reviews
  • Unorganized and chaotic!

    by Linda on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 1 out of 5

    We purchased 9 general admission seats and were told we could sit anywhere in section 117. We sat there for about 20 minutes then another group came and said they purchased those seat. So we moved , same thing happened three times with us moving around to other empty seats. We have attended Thurby for 4 years and have been able to sit in this section. We were. So disappointed in the change of seating that we didn’t know about . we were embarrassed as we had to keep moving. We finally left and returned home!

  • A nightmare

    by Louisvillegirl on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 1 out of 5

    This was a nightmare: crowded, not enough people working, no cold water to be found. All-inclusive but a hot mess. Never going back to these seats.

  • Great 1st time at CD

    by TMac on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 5 out of 5

    What do Thurby with friends had a great time. First time at Churchill Downs. Even if you don't bet on races it's quite a spectacular event.

  • Thorny 2024

    by Fritos56 on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 4 out of 5

    This was my first visit to Churchill Downs and it didn’t disappoint! The changes made this season, including the new Parade Ring, focused on the things I love about going to the track. Although the Parade Ring is a little too “formal” for me (I love getting right down by the rail to see the horse & watch owners & trainers give instructions) it’s still good for the sport because it draws people to this “behind the scenes” event. I truly love to stand by the rail & watch these behemoths thunder past! The only place I could go with a GA ticket was WAY down by the far turn. The horses were stupendous there, but the trek to get a mint julip was quite a ways; and making a bet (especially self service) was even further. Still & all, a great way to spend a Thursday!!

  • Crowded chaos

    by AT on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 2 out of 5

    The Homestretch Club seemed to have more patrons than they could accommodate and were perhaps understaffed. As a premium all-inclusive experience, I did not expect to miss multiple races in a row waiting at the bar with no clear lines, having to hunt for bottled water as the fridges were perpetually empty, or inedible roast beef. Also much of the food needed to be eaten at a table, which there weren’t enough of—all handheld foods would’ve made more sense. As the day went on, staff did start circulating with signature cocktails which helped bar lines a bit, but waters remained scarce on a very hot day. Hoping Churchill Downs was just ironing out the kinks of a recently renovated venue and had it figured out for a better Oaks and Derby.

  • Not as good as it used to be

    by Thurby Blues on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 3 out of 5

    Couple years ago, when the first turn area was temporary, it was much better. Now you can only go inside or outside in front of the bleachers depending on which ticket you have. So to be able to enjoy our “free” perks we were stuck in the shade in the seats. Alcohol lines were insanely long. Certain stations only had a few food selections. Very disappointed.

  • Disappointed in Churchill downs

    by Gerard on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 1 out of 5

    Both of my parents are handicap and they wouldn’t let them use the elevator. We had to go down stairs to get drinks. Took about an hour to get back to your seats. Missed races. The bottles of water were warm. We get in and then they made us walk out of the way to get a wrist band. Not sure they don’t do that just beyond the entrance. Very displeased. It was very inconvenient. And the way they catered to handicap was ridiculous. We go every year. Been going to the track my entire life. I don’t see us coming back. Not worth it. Especially for the prices.

  • Worst Thurby ever!

    by Razzy on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 1 out of 5

    It was absolutely HORRIBLE! How can you advertise that everything is included, food and alcohol when you spend your whole day waiting in line for the concession stand food and drinks! I picked my seat from a table and when I got there, they said nope, you don't have a table??? Instead it was a whole day of total unorganized chaos! Never again!!

  • Churchill Downs Oversold Event

    by CDF on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 2 out of 5

    After many enjoyable times at Thurby in different venues at Churchill Downs, we opted for the Homestretch Club reserved seats. It included food and drink, along with an outdoor reserved seat near the finish line and an indoor A/C club where the food and drinks were. Unfortunately, Churchill Downs oversold the event, selling standing room only seats inside the Homestretch Club. This created huge lines where a drink could take twenty minutes to obtain. Food was not as good as other venues inside the track. After waiting for both food and drink, you had to navigate around standing room only attendees sitting on the floor. Disappointing and won't be back to that area.

  • Awesome

    by Jake on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 5 out of 5

    Everything was awesome best experience. Definitely recommend going

  • Thurby at the Derby

    by Jimbus on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 5 out of 5

    Work great the tickets scanned off our phone perfectly and we had no issues at all

  • Thurby 3rd floor clubhouse

    by Thurby Goer on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 4 out of 5

    Initially, it was a good experience. We had good seats even though they weren’t under cover. However, as the day went on the patrons in the floors above us spilled beer and dropped cigar ash on us on multiple occasions. We ultimately had to leave before the end of the race card because we were soaked from beer being basically dumped on us from above. Not sure the solution - signs for the patrons above to not spill or pour anything over the railing? A better cover than the simple netting that doesn’t block drinks or ash? Or security walking around? It’s a shame because otherwise we had a really fun day with friends but we will not be purchasing these tickets again.

  • Not as good as previous years

    by Local at Thurby on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 3 out of 5

    The gate closest to our section had 8 employees blocking it, yet the gate we needed to be scanned to go through had ONE employee scanning tickets for about 100 people trying to get through. The women’s bathroom on floor 2 had the ceiling fall in at noon and hadn’t been touched when we left at 5pm. Maybe prepare staff a bit better for the biggest week of the year.

  • Two that could be improved

    by Mit on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 2 out of 5

    1. The bus at the fairground were very unorganized this year. I rode them last year and it was much better. 2. At Churchill Down the number of places where you could bets was very limited if you were contained on the first level. The line were so long that many just decided not to bet their money. That’s probably not a good way to run a gambling organization.

  • Fun Experience

    by ThurbyRegular on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 4 out of 5

    It’s a fun experience to be part of Derby week- so much fun to dress up and people watch. The parking shuttle was great, lines were short for wagering/food, our seats were covered and right in front of the finish line. But the cigar smoke is disgusting. It’s officially open-air seating but when the guys in front of you and beside you are all smoking cigars, its going to be in your face for hours. They didn’t allow re-entry or food to be brought in which means you have to eat there ($60 for a couple to eat grilled chicken sandwiches plus $22 for each drink with alcohol).

  • First turn suites

    by Lucky Mike on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 5 out of 5

    Had a great time on Thurby only drawback were the lines were long and there were options to have more drink stands installed. Food was good and lots of selections! Hope the price doesn't go up like the increases on Oaks and Derby

  • Good

    by Kels on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 3 out of 5

    I love having to get to go and hang with friends and family it’s affordable box seats for thurby but the drinks are expensive with Hadley any alcohol

  • Needs better service for all inclusive

    by Cleveland on 5/5/24Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 2 out of 5

    All inclusive lines were ridiculous! 30 plus minutes in line for food! 45 minutes in line for drinks! Service unorganized! Room for lots of improvement!

  • It was fantastic

    by Claydaddy on 5/23/23Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 5 out of 5

    My family had a wonderful time experience was unbelievable.

  • Awful!!

    by Ron on 5/13/23Churchill Downs - LouisvilleRating: 1 out of 5

    Food was horrible. Ran out of alcohol very conveniently quick! Super crowded. Poor signage at Churchill to our location. Employees need to be better trained on giving directions. Long lines. Oh, and, bonus. . .my wife, a couple of our friends, and I now have Covid. We did not ride there or sit close to the friends who contracted COVID. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!