Churchill Downs has confirmed Jason Sauer as its new SVP (Senior Vice President) of Corporate Development.  

In his new role, Sauer will work closely with other senior executives in the development and execution of the operator's strategy and growth. He will be reporting directly to Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen. 

Sauer joined Churchill Downs seven years ago as Senior Director of Corporate Development; he was then promoted to VP of Corporate Development in 2019.  

Before joining the company, Sauer served as legal counsel for Humana in Louisville, Kentucky; he has also worked as an attorney in New York for Meagher & Flom, where he specialised in mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions.  

Outside of the corporate industry, Sauer is also a Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy Reserve, where he serves as an Executive Officer for a reserve command in Norfolk, Virginia.  

Following his second deployment to the Middle East, he came back to the US and returned to Churchill Downs.  

The new SVP graduated with honours from Harvard College and received his Juris Doctor from the Rosenberg College of Law; he also holds additional degrees from the University of Kentucky and the University of Cambridge.  

Churchill Downs CEO Carstanjen said: “Jason brings a keen aptitude for both traditional M&A deals as well as non-standard, complex commercial arrangements. 

“During his tenure with Churchill Downs, Jason has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to identify and analyse potential growth opportunities, and we are pleased to announce this well-deserved promotion.”