An Ohio River bridge

Ellis Park

ThoroughbredDirtTurf
Official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

Ellis Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Henderson, Kentucky. It opened in 1922, making it 104 years old in 2026. It races on a 1 1/8-mile dirt oval, 1-mile turf course. It holds about 6,000 fans.

Its signature races are the Groupie Doll Stakes (G3) and Ellis Park Derby.

Ellis Park has a one-mile chute meeting the first turn at a 90-degree angle, modeled on Saratoga's Wilson Mile Chute.

Track facts

Location
Henderson, Kentucky
Racing
Thoroughbred
Surfaces
Dirt, Turf
Track
1 1/8-mile dirt oval, 1-mile turf course
Opened
1922
Capacity
6,000
Racing season
July–August/early September
Operator
Churchill Downs Inc.
Former names
Dade Park (1922–1954)
Size rank
9th of 17

Signature races at Ellis Park

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs july–August/early September. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows an Ohio River bridge in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Ellis Park and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Ellis Park

Hotels near Ellis ParkBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Ellis ParkTours & things to do in HendersonSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Ellis Park10

  1. 1HarnessOak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel — Harness racing (Oak Grove, Kentucky)87 mi
  2. 2HarnessDu Quoin State Fairgrounds Racetrack — Illinois Colt Stakes (Du Quoin, Illinois)92 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredChurchill Downs — Kentucky Derby (Louisville, Kentucky)99 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredKentucky Downs — Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (Franklin, Kentucky)103 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredFairmount Park Casino & Racing — St. Louis Derby (Collinsville, Illinois)145 mi
  6. 6ThoroughbredHorseshoe Indianapolis — Indiana Derby (Shelbyville, Indiana)148 mi
  7. 7ThoroughbredKeeneland — Blue Grass Stakes (Lexington, Kentucky)160 mi
  8. 8HarnessThe Red Mile — Kentucky Futurity (Lexington, Kentucky)165 mi
  9. 9HarnessIllinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack — Illinois Colt Stakes (Springfield, Illinois)174 mi
  10. 10ThoroughbredTurfway Park — Jeff Ruby Steaks (Florence, Kentucky)175 mi

Questions about Ellis Park

Where is Ellis Park?

Ellis Park is in Henderson, Kentucky.

What kind of racing is at Ellis Park?

Ellis Park hosts thoroughbred racing. Live racing runs july–August/early September.

When did Ellis Park open?

Ellis Park opened in 1922.

How many people does Ellis Park hold?

Ellis Park holds about 6,000 fans.

What is the biggest race at Ellis Park?

The signature race at Ellis Park is the Groupie Doll Stakes (G3).

What other racetracks are near Ellis Park?

The closest is Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel in Oak Grove, Kentucky, about 87 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.