LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs unveiled statues of racetrack legends John Asher and Col. Matt Winn Thursday morning. 


What You Need To Know

  • Churchill Downs unveiled statues of John Asher and Col. Matt Winn Thursday morning

  • Sculpted by local artist Raymond Graf, the statues depict Asher sitting on a horseshoe bench and talking with Winn

  • Asher was "the voice and face of horse racing and radio broadcasting in Kentucky" for more than 40 years, Churchill Downs said in a release

  • Winn was the general manager and later president of Churchill Downs from 1914 until 1949

Sculpted by local artist Raymond Graf, the statues depict Asher sitting on a horseshoe bench and talking with Winn. 

Asher was "the voice and face of horse racing and radio broadcasting in Kentucky" for more than 40 years, Churchill Downs said in a release. He joined Churchill Downs in 1997 and served as vice president of racing communications until he passed in August 2018 at 62. 

Winn, who was general manager and later president of Churchill Downs from 1914 until his passing at 88 in 1949, "oversaw the early growth of the Kentucky Derby into America's greatest race," the racetrack said.

The statues sit on the north side of the saddling paddock in the Plaza area and guests can take photos on the bench in the shadow of the Twin Spires.