December 2020
Louisville Thoroughbred Society finally opens despite pandemic and fire
It's been a long time in the making for a private downtown club that caters to horse racing fans, businesses and travelers. WATCH VIDEO
November 2020
‘Extremely lucky’: Louisville Thoroughbred Society avoids severe damage after fire
The owners of a Thoroughbred racing club planned in Louisville said their building suffered little to no damage in a fire that broke out on the roof of a downtown building last month. Mike Schnell, a co-founder of the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, said this week that the blaze did [...]
Lights. Water. Action. Louisville Thoroughbred Society Is Coming
Over the past week, construction workers have been busy at Louisville’s newest and best private, downtown club. They have added decorative lighting fixtures to some of the interior walls, and they have finished the plumbing necessary to allow running water in the lavatories. Light. Water. Action. Construction workers have [...]
Upscale downtown Louisville club names GM, eyes new opening date
A high-end members-only club centered around Thoroughbred horse racing has named a new leader as it eyes a new opening date. Mary Painter was recently named general manager of the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, which plans to make its debut downtown in early August. The nearly 13,000-square-foot club has been [...]
June 2020
Louisville Thoroughbred Society’s Decked-Out “Library:” Take a Look…Spectacular & Waiting For You
(The LTS’ “Library” is nearly finished and ready for inspection. Temporary air conditioning units have been installed for your comfort.) Editor’s Note: About the only things that are missing now are the shelves, the books and the “barn door” that will separate The Louisville Thoroughbred Society’s “Library” and “Diner.” Oh, yes. There [...]
Louisville Thoroughbred Society Enters Final Phase: Nearing Completion; Gearing Up for Opening
Editor’s Note: It won’t be long now, folks. Although the long-anticipated and much-awaited “official” opening will not come until August, we are so very close. So. So. Close. Construction is now underway in the final phase. Plans are being crafted on how best to open. Staff is being retained and [...]
May 2020
The Louisville Thoroughbred Society Update: It’s About Time to “Paint The Town” Party
(The LTS' beautiful main bar is getting its' final coat of paint and is about ready to begin accepting bottles on the shelves, if not orders. A major video screen display will fit nicely in the middle of the action, too. / Photo by Gene McLean) Editor's [...]
April 2020
The Louisville Thoroughbred Society: It’s Looking Up & It’s Looking Good
(The “LTS Cigar Bar” is looking good.) Editor’s Note: We be coming around the mountain, when we come. We be coming around the mountain when we come. We be coming around the mountain; we be coming around the mountain; we be coming around the mountain when we come. The Louisville [...]
Louisville Thoroughbred Society: Something We Can All Look Forward To; Take A Peek At Progress
(The trim on the Cigar Bar is exquisite. All Photos by Gene McLean) Editor’s Note: In these days and nights, it is hard to find anything to get excited about. It is difficult to find a “feel good” story. It is nearly impossible to locate the positive; see the [...]
March 2020
An Important Update Regarding LTS & COVID-19
Dear Louisville Thoroughbred Society Investors and Members, The Louisville Thoroughbred Society is writing to share important updates with you regarding our progress, and most importantly our valued concern during these uncertain times regarding the Coronavirus, COVID- 19. Just a week ago, no one could imagine the state of our public [...]
December 2019
We’re On Schedule to Open Prior to 2020 KY Derby!
(The South End staircase has a new “Derby Hat.” We are now getting ready for Derby Season. / Photo by Gene McLean) It is now about 20 weeks from the 2020 Kentucky Derby. It is only 144 days to the 146th running of the world’s most historic, traditional and important [...]
Through the Eyes & Lens of Our In-House Photo Session
Construction workers are actively building the new parking garage adjacent to the historic building. New concrete pillars are now ready for the first floor of platforms to be lowered into their final resting place in the next couple of weeks. Electrical lines are being run up and down, high and [...]
October 2019
Update: A Look Inside The Louisville Thoroughbred Society Progress
(Things are looking good at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society / Photo by Gene McLean) The work continues at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, which will be housed in the historic Hughes Lofts at 209 East Main Street in downtown Louisville. The parking garage is going up. The North staircase tower has [...]
September 2019
CONSTRUCTION CREWS KICKING UP DUST & PUTTING UP DUCTS, PLUMBING, ELECTRIC & WALLS
(Construction plans were laid out on a make-shift construction desk at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society / Photos by Gene McLean) The dust was flying on Monday, Sept. 30. Had to be one of the hottest days on record, as the temps crept into the mid-90s and the air stood at [...]
“LABOR DAYS” ARE BEING CELEBRATED EVERY DAY AT THE LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY
Labor Day is an appropriate time to honor those that do work for a living. And, it is an apt title for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society this week, as well. In fact, these are “Labor Days.” On Tuesday, I made my way down to the Hughes Lofts — located at [...]
August 2019
Stairway to Heaven: Staircases Dropped Into New LTS Building
(LTS Founding Member Mike Schnell, left, and one of the construction workers talk about the installation of the new staircases and the location for the South elevator shaft / Photo by Gene McLean) With all due respect to the great “Rock N Roll” legend Led Zeppelin, a new “Stairway to [...]
July 2019
LTS “Hard Hat Tours” Offered Thursday, August 1st
As the Summer heat has turned up the temps in the Ohio Valley, The Louisville Thoroughbred Society is turning up the heat on its’ construction and remodeling project in downtown Louisville, too. Full bore. Full throttle. Full speed ahead. Although the Spring rains set the construction schedule back a [...]
June 2019
Churchill Downs enters into lease agreement with Louisville Thoroughbred Society
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (WHAS11)-The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) unanimously approved a Churchill Downs Racetrack request to lease and operate a “racetrack extension” at the new Louisville Thoroughbred Society, a private membership club that is scheduled to open in downtown Louisville later in 2019. Churchill Downs Racetrack and the [...]
From Insider Louisville: Private downtown wagering club gets approval from racing commission
Churchill Downs Racetrack and the Louisville Thoroughbred Society are moving forward with plans to open a “racetrack extension” with off-site betting downtown. The track and club owners got approval on Tuesday from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to operate a private-membership club at 209 E. Main St. The club will offer simulcasting and [...]
New Louisville Thoroughbred Society gains simulcast approval
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a Churchill Downs Racetrack request to lease and operate a “racetrack extension” at the new Louisville Thoroughbred Society, a private membership club that is scheduled to open in downtown Louisville later this year. Churchill Downs Racetrack and the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, [...]
Churchill Downs to offer off-track betting at private club in downtown Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Churchill Downs Inc. will offer off-track betting on horse races at a members-only private club in the works in downtown Louisville. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved Churchill Downs’ request Tuesday to place 12 self-service simulcasting terminals at the club, called the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, which [...]
LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY: NEW PEEKS TO PIQUE YOUR INTEREST
Here are some new looks, designs, construction photos and other concepts that are beginning to take real shape at 209 East Main Street in downtown Louisville — soon to be the new home for the new Louisville Thoroughbred Society. Come take a look. Better yet, go to the LTS website [...]
May 2019
WARMER WEATHER = MORE CONSTRUCTION ON LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY / COMING THIS FALL
(Historic bar is under full restoration in "The Louisville Thoroughbred Society's" premium "Cigar Bar" area. Photo by Gene McLean) Warmer weather has been slow to arrive. Drier weather has been even slower. But things are starting to rev up at 209 East Main Street -- soon to be the home of [...]
Louisville Thoroughbred Society’s “Premium Cigar Bar” Taking Shape
(A historic, antique bar has been set into place, and bolted down. Restoration and addition to begin this week at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society / Photo by Mike Schnell) A historic, wooden bar -- which was originally constructed decades ago, and most recently acquired by Founding Member Mike Schnell from [...]
April 2019
Bricks. Mortar. Structure. Stamina. Louisville Thoroughbred Society Growing, Going Strong
(Bricks and mortar are going up on the historic Hughes Lofts and the home of “The Louisville Thoroughbred Society.” / Photo by Gene McLean) Bricks and mortar. They add up to structure and stamina. And, they are adding up to major improvements and advancements to the Hughes Lofts at 209 [...]
On The Way “Up”: Towers Going Up; Walls Going Up; Elevator Shafts Going Up
The Louisville Thoroughbred Society is up to a lot of things these days. "Up" being the operative word. The new and improved website -- www.thelouisvillethoroughbredsociety.com -- is now "UP" and online, and prospective members can access that portal to find out more about how the project is progressing and how [...]
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
Future Home of The Pressbox
The Louisville Thoroughbred Society will be the future home of The Pressbox, a locally-produced media suite that will feature live podcasts, webcasts, news, features, handicapping tips and wagering advice from a list of prominent handicappers and horsemen.