Another owner complains about CDI

[JustRalph]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85345/wildcat-red-owners-unhappy-with-churchill

Not sure how upset I am about this one. It's hard to tell from print, but I have a feeling this lady is used to the finer things :lol:

#DerbyatKeeneland

[Augenj]

I think her biggest beef was having to mingle with the unwashed masses. :D

[Tall One]

tiznow90 > rams2050 • 5 hours ago

Yes, she has every right to be upset. Paying $50,000 to enter a horse into the race should ensure the owner a certain base minimum of hospitality, including at least a couple hotel rooms reserved. We're not talking $5,000, $10,000, that's $50 big ones.

[chadk66]

I had ten times better treatment when I took a horse up for the Manitoba derby ages ago. Churchill has been doing this for over 100 years, they should have this down to a science. Part of the benefits to owning top quality horses is the wining and dining. Just the way it is. Sounds like Churchill said screw it.

[Stillriledup]

I had ten times better treatment when I took a horse up for the Manitoba derby ages ago. Churchill has been doing this for over 100 years, they should have this down to a science. Part of the benefits to owning top quality horses is the wining and dining. Just the way it is. Sounds like Churchill said screw it.

They're ruthless. They're becoming public enemy #1 in this game.

[thespaah]

I think her biggest beef was having to mingle with the unwashed masses. :D
Maybe so....If I were an owner of a Derby Horse I would expect first class red carpet treatment.
I think as a foreigner, Mrs Delfino is not familiar with our culture in that we don't normally put up with snooty comments such as "we felt like we were treated like ever one else"....That does not go over well. And would give rise to "well who the hell do you think you are, honey? What's the matter, you think your ( poop) is made of ice cream or something?"
So I see a couple sides to this.
CD is obviously not getting the job done for some of their important clients on a consistent basis....
One thing does bother me.....IN her complaint, I noted the word "assumed"...Red flag right there. If she was so concerned about lodging, she should have performed due diligence. Additionally, she seemed to have dropped the ball on transportation to and from her lodging.
I figure if these people have the coin to fork over for a $1000 track side box( wondering why the complaint about seating).....They could have hired a limo to take them to the track, wait for them and take them back to their hotel. That would have cost them a few hundred. so what. Those people think a few hundred is kindling for their fire place.

[proximity]

lol @ how the article even begins:

Josie Delfino, owner of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) entrant .......


when the race was simply known as "the Kentucky derby" did we have all these problems?:rolleyes:

[Stillriledup]

lol @ how the article even begins:

Josie Delfino, owner of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) entrant .......


when the race was simply known as "the Kentucky derby" did we have all these problems?:rolleyes:

Its amazing how they would 'sell out' the most iconic two words in horse racing. I guess we're lucky they don't own a sports team, could you imagine the Geico New York Yankees or the Wal-Mart Dallas Cowboys or the Pepsi Green Bay Packers.

Sellouts!

[Saratoga_Mike]

Its amazing how they would 'sell out' the most iconic two words in horse racing. I guess we're lucky they don't own a sports team, could you imagine the Geico New York Yankees or the Wal-Mart Dallas Cowboys or the Pepsi Green Bay Packers.

Sellouts!

Or Raymond James Stadium for the Tampa Bay Bucs or Lincoln Field for the Eagles or Citi Field for the Mets....

Yeah, sports teams never attempt to earn incremental income by co-branding stadiums or college bowl games. It's even worse with Churchill, because it destroys the entire betting experience.

[Saratoga_Mike]

tiznow90 > rams2050 • 5 hours ago

Yes, she has every right to be upset. Paying $50,000 to enter a horse into the race should ensure the owner a certain base minimum of hospitality, including at least a couple hotel rooms reserved. We're not talking $5,000, $10,000, that's $50 big ones.


Actually the $50k is an entry fee, not a "you get a free hotel room and meals and betting voucher" fee.

[magwell]

Sure sounds like this lady had a real beef with Churchill and their response sounds like it was written by Jay Carney........:rolleyes:

[EJXD2]

Or Raymond James Stadium for the Tampa Bay Bucs or Lincoln Field for the Eagles or Citi Field for the Mets....

Yeah, sports teams never attempt to earn incremental income by co-branding stadiums or college bowl games. It's even worse with Churchill, because it destroys the entire betting experience.

Or the Investec Epsom Derby or Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triopmhe or Budweiser Irish Derby or Emirates Airline Melbourne Cup

[Robert Fischer]

Actually the $50k is an entry fee, not a "you get a free hotel room and meals and betting voucher" fee.

I wouldn't expect these to be free (beyond maybe a handful of reserved top quality seats), but there should be some sort of exclusive access offered to Kentucky Derby owners.

Someone with CDI should be in charge of booking the owners in a reserved hotel, arranging for the purchase of additional seating, catering package etc...

[Saratoga_Mike]

I wouldn't expect these to be free (beyond maybe a handful of reserved top quality seats), but there should be some sort of exclusive access offered to Kentucky Derby owners.

Someone with CDI should be in charge of booking the owners in a reserved hotel, arranging for the purchase of additional seating, catering package etc...

There is (not sure on the booking of hotels part)

[BettinBilly]

From my perspective as a Race Director (in another sport), it comes down to simple customer service. You have spectators, you have athletes. I know it's very hard for a Race Company to make everyone happy, but you are only talking about 20 entries. Combined with Owners, Jockeys, trainers, and Grooms, perhaps this is 200 people total. That's not a huge number in the scheme of things. I have dealt with over 1,000. Someone needs to be on it with regard to catering to the athletes (Horses/Jockeys), trainers and owners.

I have no idea how Churchill administrates their big races, but something appears to be wrong. I would think you would have some sort of focus on the Owners. I know you can't treat them all like VIP's, but at least have 20 people dedicated to concierge for owners, one for each owner. For the amount of money involved, that's the least they should do. At most, they could help arrange hotels, transportation, meals, and coordination of event schedules. If it were me in charge, I certainly would not want this owner complaining that she had to walk 20 blocks in heels because she could not get transportation. On the other hand, we really don't know the exact details of the transportation she arranged. Either way, an "Owner's Concierge" could have solved this problem quickly and probably in advance, making sure the transportation was there. Thus, no problem to begin with. It would have been money VERY well spent.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Or the Investec Epsom Derby or Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triopmhe or Budweiser Irish Derby or Emirates Airline Melbourne Cup

Churchill must own these tracks. Thanks.

[Tall One]

Actually the $50k is an entry fee, not a "you get a free hotel room and meals and betting voucher" fee.



Based on what I gathered from reading the article, she wasn't saying they should've had someone book their rooms, but there should be a block of rooms already reserved for the owners.

I think the point you're missing is there is an expected amount of hospitality that should accompany any owner(s) entry into the Derby. They're one out of 20 from a pool of 300-400 nominees too make it to Louisville.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Based on what I gathered from reading the article, she wasn't saying they should've had someone book their rooms, but there should be a block of rooms already reserved for the owners.

I think the point you're missing is there is an expected amount of hospitality that should accompany any owner(s) entry into the Derby. They're one out of 20 from a pool of 300-400 nominees too make it to Louisville.

No, I'm not missing it. We just disagree, nothing personal. Perhaps CD could set up something with the Seelbach or Museum Hotel, but I just don't view it as their responsibility. And I think it's hilarious that the owners of CC said they had a bad time at the Derby. They won the Kentucky Derby and had a bad time. I wish I could have a bad time like that.

[Tall One]

No, I'm not missing it. We just disagree, nothing personal. Perhaps CD could set up something with the Seelbach or Museum Hotel, but I just don't view it as their responsibility. And I think it's hilarious that the owners of CC said they had a bad time at the Derby. They won the Kentucky Derby and had a bad time. I wish I could have a bad time like that.


Seelbach...That's some righteous bucks, Mike! I'd be OK with the Galt House..:D

Good points made on both sides here and difference of opinions is what makes the board, as well our sport, go.

[Stillriledup]

Or Raymond James Stadium for the Tampa Bay Bucs or Lincoln Field for the Eagles or Citi Field for the Mets....

Yeah, sports teams never attempt to earn incremental income by co-branding stadiums or college bowl games. It's even worse with Churchill, because it destroys the entire betting experience.

Yes, but the Tampa Bay Bucs are still the Tampa Bay Bucs, not the Budweiser Tampa Bay Bucs.

[Redbullsnation]

Wow, CDI is more corrupt than the US government

[Stillriledup]

Wow, CDI is more corrupt than the US government

Well, i wouldn't go that far. :D

[magwell]

Sure sounds like this lady had a real beef with Churchill and their response sounds like it was written by Jay Carney........:rolleyes:Soon as Jay read this he resigned......:)

[NJ Stinks]

And I think it's hilarious that the owners of CC said they had a bad time at the Derby. They won the Kentucky Derby and had a bad time. I wish I could have a bad time like that.

That's the whole point. It should be virtually impossible not to have fun winning the Ky Derby. Nor should any owner of a runner in the Derby feel slighted by the experience.

I don't see this any different than a casino comping their best customers.

Here we have a company that jack's up takeout prior to their two biggest days and treats their best customers lousy on their biggest days. Hopefully, CD will get what they deserve for their conduct down the road.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Yes, but the Tampa Bay Bucs are still the Tampa Bay Bucs, not the Budweiser Tampa Bay Bucs.

Yes, it's still the KY Derby, not the Yum Brands KY Derby. It's presented by Yum Brands. You have no issue here; it's all contrived.

[Saratoga_Mike]

That's the whole point. It should be virtually impossible not to have fun winning the Ky Derby. Nor should any owner of a runner in the Derby feel slighted by the experience.

I don't see this any different than a casino comping their best customers.

Here we have a company that jack's up takeout prior to their two biggest days and treats their best customers lousy on their biggest days. Hopefully, CD will get what they deserve for their conduct down the road.

EXACTLY - there's something wrong with them! And the them isn't CD - it's the owners of CC.

I'm sure you'd manage CD more effectively. I'm certain you have the requisite marketing, finance and operations skills.

[Stillriledup]

Yes, it's still the KY Derby, not the Yum Brands KY Derby. It's presented by Yum Brands. You have no issue here; it's all contrived.

:D

Yumtucky Derby.

[Stillriledup]

EXACTLY - there's something wrong with them! And the them isn't CD - it's the owners of CC.

I'm sure you'd manage CD more effectively. I'm certain you have the requisite marketing, finance and operations skills.

If they had a great time, wouldn't they have said that?

[OCF]

At this rate, soon CD will have a difficult time filling the Derby field.

[thespaah]

Sure sounds like this lady had a real beef with Churchill and their response sounds like it was written by Jay Carney........:rolleyes:
That intellectual spastic just got quit/fired today.
And yes, CD management's response was pretty bad.
Looks like it was written by a junior in high school

[Stillriledup]

At this rate, soon CD will have a difficult time filling the Derby field.

They treat people like pond scum because they can. They have the Derby and if you want to run in it and watch your horse live, you have to do as they say, jump as high as they want you to jump.

And then say, "may i have another".

[OCF]

Maybe the other 17 owners saw it as a glass half-empty/half-full situation.

[alydar]

You can spin it any way you want, but clearly CD has a problem. The fact that such prominent people are willing to go public like this indicates a real issue. How many times have you been disappointed with service or an experience? Most people do not go to the trouble of actually filing a complaint. It is only a small percentage that do. It indicates that there are likely to be many more unhappy people out there that have not made their voices heard. There clearly is a problem with how CD treats its customers. It is up to them whether they actually care or not. They own an event that can draw a huge crowd and generate huge profits for them regardless of what they do. It appears that they are well aware of that fact and do not really care.
Hopefully all of this negative press will encourage them to rethink things a bit going forward. We will see, I am not expecting much.

[Saratoga_Mike]

They treat people like pond scum because they can. They have the Derby and if you want to run in it and watch your horse live, you have to do as they say, jump as high as they want you to jump.

And then say, "may i have another".

I appreciate hyperbole, but you've really lost your mind.

[Saratoga_Mike]

If they had a great time, wouldn't they have said that?

Put aside your hatred for CD for a moment and think about it. They won THE race that all owner want to win, and they had a bad time. They could have been forced to watch the race from the infield, and they still should have had a good time.

[Stillriledup]

Put aside your hatred for CD for a moment and think about it. They won THE race that all owner want to win, and they had a bad time. They could have been forced to watch the race from the infield, and they still should have had a good time.

Why are you asking me, they're the ones who said they werent treated like they needed to be treated, i'm just going on what these owners said, don't shoot the messenger.

[Fager Fan]

No, I'm not missing it. We just disagree, nothing personal. Perhaps CD could set up something with the Seelbach or Museum Hotel, but I just don't view it as their responsibility. And I think it's hilarious that the owners of CC said they had a bad time at the Derby. They won the Kentucky Derby and had a bad time. I wish I could have a bad time like that.

Apparently you've never been to the Derby if you claim to understand.

An owner doesn't usually go to CD on Derby day as a fan, making plans to go a year or 6 months in advance. They only plan on going for sure one weeks leading up, and don't get tickets from CD until they're formally entered. That's on Wednesday prior to the Derby.

Do you have any guesses as to how impossible it is to find a good hotel room like at the Seelbach at that late date? I guess you think they should book the $1200/night NON-REFUNDABLE ROOMS 6 months out when the chances are high they'll not be going?

CD absolutely could and should reserve a block of rooms for owners at the 3 or so best hotels in Louisville. Same for transport. They're not out a dime by doing so and providing needed accommodations to owners of the horses who bring in 90% of their yearly profits. Again, that $1 mil the 20 owners pay only returns to them about $40k in box seats, $6k in the buffet and drinks, and $1k in saddlecloths. You think $953k in cash straight into CD's pockets could buy some hospitality and help?

[Robert Goren]

Sorry, I am with CDI on this one. I have always believed that the way to run a successful business is to treat your customers well ( I know CDI doesn't always do that)and make your suppliers compete for your business. Walmart does not rent hotel rooms for visiting salesmen trying to get a product into their stores. The horse owners should be renting hotel rooms for CDI executives trying to wine and dine CD into giving them a stall.

[Fager Fan]

Sorry, I am with CDI on this one. I have always believed that the way to run a successful business is to treat your customers well ( I know CDI doesn't always do that)and make your suppliers compete for your business. Walmart does not rent hotel rooms for visiting salesmen trying to get a product into their stores. The horse owners should be renting hotel rooms for CDI executives trying to wine and dine CD into giving them a stall.

The horse owners are the customers. I guess you think horseplayers should likewise wine and dine CD execs?

[CryingForTheHorses]

I had ten times better treatment when I took a horse up for the Manitoba derby ages ago. Churchill has been doing this for over 100 years, they should have this down to a science. Part of the benefits to owning top quality horses is the wining and dining. Just the way it is. Sounds like Churchill said screw it.

In all honesty..When you go on a vacation you make sure you have everything covered,Money,Hotel rooms etc.CD did provide a safe place for the horses with security around the clock.If they had gotten rooms for people,Im sure there would be lots of people complaining that the room wasnt good enough!..As for the guy compllaining about not being able to take his backpack..Does he not remember 911..Every function these days have this rule!.These people knew that they were going to the derby and its really up to them to make sure they have everything covered..Not fair to blame CDI on this.I do know if I had a horse in the derby,I would sleep in the stall :lol: All the people I talked to that were there had nothing but good things to say.I will not believe the owners of CC did not have a good time.A crowd as large that the derby gets,You will always have somebody crying about something,Doesnt matter how much money they have....Chad..I also took a horse to the manitoba derby..Won the derby trial and finshed second in the derby!

[Robert Goren]

The horse owners are the customers. I guess you think horseplayers should likewise wine and dine CD execs? Not in my book. They are suppliers of horses to a race track just like Jiff supplies peanut butter to a grocery store.
Horseplayers wining dining CD execs would be just like what CD does for horse owners now. Neither makes any business sense.