Steve Sexton Dies at 57

Steve Sexton, who served as president of Churchill Downs Racetrack and Entertainment in the 2000s, passed away Monday after a brief illness, family and friends confirmed Monday afternoon. Sexton was 57 years old.

Sexton began his involvement with racetrack management in 1983 as a sales promotion manager at Santa Anita and served at numerous tracks before joining Churchill Downs Incorporated as the president of Arlington Park in 2001. He guided the track during its preparations for the 2002 Breeders' Cup and moved to Louisville soon after. At the Churchill Downs facility, Sexton was at the head of a significant grandstand and clubhouse renovation, as well as the 2006 Breeders' Cup. He left Churchill Downs in 2009 to pursue other interests, and served as the managing partner of the Dallas-based sports management service LOGE at the time of his death.

“All in the Churchill Downs Incorporated family are deeply saddened by the passing of former Churchill Downs Racetrack President Steve Sexton, and our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Kim, son Taylor, daughter Kalli and his family and friends during this difficult time,” Churchill Downs Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen said Monday. “Steve led Churchill Downs during key years of change for both the institution and the Kentucky Derby. He also tirelessly served the Louisville community through membership on the boards of several community organizations. Along with his deep experience in horse racing and race track management, Steve brought enthusiasm and boundless energy to everything he touched at Churchill Downs. Today is a very sad day for all of us at Churchill Downs and Steve will be greatly missed.”

A native of Topeka, Kansas, Sexton graduated from Claremont McKenna College, where he served as a captain of the varsity basketball team.

“Heartbroken to say that I lost my hero today,” Sexton's daughter Kalli posted on Facebook Monday morning. “God gave me the best dad there is, he blessed so many lives and I am so grateful to have been a part of his family. He had a way of lighting up any room he walked in, a way to make any person smile.”