Richard L. Duchossois

Richard L. Duchossois
Born October 7, 1921
Chicago, Illinois
Education Morgan Park Academy, Washington and Lee University
Occupation The Duchossois Group, Inc., Arlington Park, Churchill Downs
Board member of
 The Duchossois Group, Inc., TCMC, Inc., Thoroughbred Racing Association
Spouse(s) 1) Beverly Thrall 2) Judi
Children Craig J., Dayle, Bruce, Kim
Awards American Jockey Club Gold Medal, Special Sovereign Award (1988)
Lord Derby Award
Palmer Award for Meritorious Service to Racing
Eclipse Award of Merit (2003)
Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame

Richard L. "Dick" Duchossois (pronounced DUCH-ah-swah) (born October 7, 1921) is an American businessman and racehorse owner. He was the founder and Chairman of The Duchossois Group, Inc., a family-owned company headquartered in Elmhurst, Illinois that is known for its ownership stakes in Arlington Park and Churchill Downs race tracks, as well as for railcar and defense manufacturing.

Early life and family

Duchossois graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy and attended Washington and Lee University before starting active military service during World War II. He served in five European campaigns and attained the rank of Major before he was released from active service in 1946.

His son Craig J. Duchossois is Chief Executive Officer of The Duchossois Group, Inc. and serves as Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy.

Career

Richard Duchossois joined Thrall Car Manufacturing Company after World War II and became CEO in 1952. In 1980, the firm purchased Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp., with Duchossois becoming its Chairman. At the same time, he retained the chairmanship of the parent company, but appointed his son as CEO.

In 1983, as Chairman of renamed Duchossois Industries (DII), he purchased Arlington Park Race Track. In 2000, Arlington Park merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated, where DII has several seats on the Board of Directors.

He serves as a director of TCMC, Inc., the Emirates World Series of Racing, and the Thoroughbred Racing Association.

His awards include the 1986 American Jockey Club's Gold Medal, the 1988 Special Sovereign Award from the Jockey Club of Canada, and Lord Derby Award from the Horserace Writers and Reporters Association of Great Britain, the Joe Palmer Award for Meritorious Service to Racing from the National Turf Writers Association, the 2003 Eclipse Award of Merit, and selection to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Washington and Lee.

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