William C. Carstanjen is the CEO of Churchill Downs Inc, taking the role in August 2014 after serving as the President and COO. He's had quite a journey in the business world, stepping up from various positions within the company...

William C. Carstanjen is the CEO of Churchill Downs Inc, taking the role in August 2014 after serving as the President and COO. He's had quite a journey in the business world, stepping up from various positions within the company since he joined in 2005, including roles like General Counsel. His time at Churchill Downs has been marked by focusing on expanding the company's reach into online gaming and regional casinos, while also boosting iconic events like the Kentucky Derby. With a strong background in corporate law from Cravath, Swaine & Moore and experience at General Electric, Carstanjen brings a solid track record to the table. Notably, he’s led the company through challenges, adjusting strategies to ensure growth and sustainability while keeping shareholder interests in mind. Under his leadership, Churchill Downs has seen significant financial metrics checked against performance, showcasing a commitment to aligning executive compensation with real results.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Churchill Downs CEOs

C

William C. Carstanjen

CEO of Churchill Downs

Sector of Economy

Consumer Cyclical

Born

July 30, 2024 - 0 years ago

CEO of Churchill Downs for

4 years 8 months (Jul 2020 - Present)

Previous Experience

Unknown

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of William C. Carstanjen

H

Christopher J. Nassetta

CEO of Hilton Worldwide

2023 Compensation

Stock

$32.00M

Salary

$1.30M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$729.69K

Total Holdings

$654.02M

W

Geoffrey A. Ballotti

CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.14M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$407.61K

Total Holdings

$38.28M

B

Keith E. Smith

CEO of Boyd Gaming

2023 Compensation

Stock

$16.70M

Salary

$1.55M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$26.16K

Total Holdings

$72.48M

M

William Hornbuckle

CEO of MGM Resorts International

2023 Compensation

Stock

$4.50M

Salary

$2.00M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$228.88K

Total Holdings

$19.84M

T

Michael D. Brown

CEO of Travel + Leisure

2023 Compensation

Stock

$1.80M

Salary

$1.10M

Bonus

$1.58M

Other

$266.39K

Total Holdings

$24.69M

Holdings

See how much did William C. Carstanjen make over time.

William C. Carstanjen's holdings in Churchill Downs have seen significant growth over the years. Starting with a value of around $63 million in September 2019, his holdings peaked at approximately $266 million in June 2024. This impressive increase reflects his...

William C. Carstanjen's holdings in Churchill Downs have seen significant growth over the years. Starting with a value of around $63 million in September 2019, his holdings peaked at approximately $266 million in June 2024. This impressive increase reflects his deep involvement with the company. He has actively participated in insider trading, showing confidence in the company's direction. His wealth is largely tied to his position, and managing these holdings has been a steady part of his career. Notably, he was able to navigate fluctuations and maintain a robust investment despite market changes, confirming his stake in the company's future and his financial strategies. This evolution illustrates Carstanjen's commitment to not just leading the company, but also investing personally in its success.

Mar 18, 2025

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shares

CHDN @ $110.39

Total Stock Sold

$645.32K

CHDN

$645.32K

66,662 CHDN shares

What if they kept their stock?

If William C. Carstanjen didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra CHDN66,662 shares worth $3.28M.
This is 407.82% and $2.63M more than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of William C. Carstanjen.

CHDN

57,984 shares

CHDN

Feb 8, 2024

Received

CHDN

48,908 shares

CHDN

Feb 15, 2023

Received

CHDN

63,219 shares

CHDN

Feb 10, 2022

Received

CHDN

50,909 shares

CHDN

Feb 10, 2021

Received

CHDN

74,704 shares

CHDN

Feb 27, 2019

Received

CHDN

$5.88M

CHDN at $258.20/share

Feb 15, 2018

Received

CHDN

$652.30K

CHDN at $144.96/share

Apr 11, 2016

Sale

CHDN

$1.47M

CHDN at $147.31/share

Apr 1, 2016

Sale

CHDN

$1.25M

CHDN at $114.11/share

Mar 24, 2015

Received

CHDN

$1.68M

CHDN at $67.26/share

Mar 21, 2013

Received

Compensation History

See how much did William C. Carstanjen make over time.

In 2021, William C. Carstanjen earned a total compensation package of about $13.8 million, comprised mainly of a base salary of $1.5 million. His compensation did not include bonuses in recent years due to various performance metrics being unmet, like during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, he received substantial stock awards that benefited from the company's performance, valuing approximately $6.9 million in vested stock in 2021. This structure aligns with Churchill Downs' philosophy of tying pay to performance, ensuring he and shareholders stay on the same page. Historically, his total compensation has varied, reflecting strong company results and strategic growth, especially in online betting. His financial setup suggests a vested interest in maintaining robust company performance over the long haul.

Year

2021

Total Compensation

$8.51M

Salary

$1.50M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is to link pay to business strategy and performance, effectively attracting, motivating, and retaining key executives while aligning their interests with those of shareholders.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was awarded for 2021.

Other

$18.55K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes company-paid premiums on executive term life insurance and an optional supplemental long-term disability income plan.

Restricted Stock

$6.99M(30.11K RSUs and PSUs)

Board Justification

The total stock awards granted in 2021 included 15,615 RSUs valued at $3,300,543 and 14,496 PSUs valued at $3,686,188, which are subject to performance metrics and vesting schedules.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Flow metrics, with a focus on long-term shareholder value.

Other Churchill Downs CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Churchill Downs

Robert L. Evans

Ex-CEO of Churchill Downs

August 2014 - August 2014