<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2025 Workiva-->
<!--r:5b8234d7-8f1b-4072-89bf-c321b83969c4,g:f4920bda-85eb-47de-9873-ee24cbdafb15-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e5028d8e-d07f-4abd-94b8-ce8c7673b9a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e5028d8e-d07f-4abd-94b8-ce8c7673b9a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_38a10b9f-2c12-47e0-ab8d-d1b174a62c0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_e5028d8e-d07f-4abd-94b8-ce8c7673b9a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_38a10b9f-2c12-47e0-ab8d-d1b174a62c0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_38a10b9f-2c12-47e0-ab8d-d1b174a62c0e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_38a10b9f-2c12-47e0-ab8d-d1b174a62c0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_38a10b9f-2c12-47e0-ab8d-d1b174a62c0e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03f55df5-25fd-4c30-b8ef-c8111d32729b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_38a10b9f-2c12-47e0-ab8d-d1b174a62c0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03f55df5-25fd-4c30-b8ef-c8111d32729b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_51c1a658-4c90-4630-925e-bcc34dfe99ed" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03f55df5-25fd-4c30-b8ef-c8111d32729b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_51c1a658-4c90-4630-925e-bcc34dfe99ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_d65139c0-ade6-49f8-a905-d4f771a0b71d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03f55df5-25fd-4c30-b8ef-c8111d32729b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_d65139c0-ade6-49f8-a905-d4f771a0b71d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_52fc87f4-31c4-4db1-86d5-c4102ffea328" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03f55df5-25fd-4c30-b8ef-c8111d32729b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_52fc87f4-31c4-4db1-86d5-c4102ffea328" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_ae5f9d67-afb9-4277-b2db-7eaaac32e38f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03f55df5-25fd-4c30-b8ef-c8111d32729b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_ae5f9d67-afb9-4277-b2db-7eaaac32e38f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_74442526-c222-4c53-ac9e-fc679596219f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_74442526-c222-4c53-ac9e-fc679596219f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_8c36b1ac-543b-47a5-ad91-62cc97e3bb36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_74442526-c222-4c53-ac9e-fc679596219f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_8c36b1ac-543b-47a5-ad91-62cc97e3bb36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_c23d6a85-25aa-403c-9700-dea9998bb38e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_c23d6a85-25aa-403c-9700-dea9998bb38e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_0a252d3b-1476-4f55-be26-c30d06c1ccac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_0a252d3b-1476-4f55-be26-c30d06c1ccac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_ee490aa9-b40c-4aae-92b6-163b3e90bf44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_ee490aa9-b40c-4aae-92b6-163b3e90bf44" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_4d752222-3199-42d0-8fa9-b36aff984dad" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_Transactionexpensenet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_4d752222-3199-42d0-8fa9-b36aff984dad" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_57f03708-abd0-4465-a962-2d774bc648cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_5349899d-fc18-43b3-941d-a9ade178804f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_57f03708-abd0-4465-a962-2d774bc648cd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_2fe85a90-5296-4803-9bde-1305dea55b86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_2fe85a90-5296-4803-9bde-1305dea55b86" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_fa591aaa-bbf9-4ae1-a418-758cd314df1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_fa591aaa-bbf9-4ae1-a418-758cd314df1c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_4e40e7fa-5c71-4055-a2ea-9b8655966dd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_fa591aaa-bbf9-4ae1-a418-758cd314df1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_4e40e7fa-5c71-4055-a2ea-9b8655966dd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_ce6c88c3-d8ab-4d65-98c9-89800e36481b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_fa591aaa-bbf9-4ae1-a418-758cd314df1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_ce6c88c3-d8ab-4d65-98c9-89800e36481b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_5db4b6a7-ecfa-43e6-b370-2bab5c8f7eca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_fa591aaa-bbf9-4ae1-a418-758cd314df1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_5db4b6a7-ecfa-43e6-b370-2bab5c8f7eca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_69c8221b-821d-4d11-9326-f5b653402a40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_fa591aaa-bbf9-4ae1-a418-758cd314df1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_69c8221b-821d-4d11-9326-f5b653402a40" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_7829713b-fe63-484b-941c-dbf4f4ccc134" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_7829713b-fe63-484b-941c-dbf4f4ccc134" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_53349dac-58f8-4fce-a9d1-548d382bb39e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_53349dac-58f8-4fce-a9d1-548d382bb39e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_e695027f-bdd2-40a9-8fe8-aadd5da8de9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_e695027f-bdd2-40a9-8fe8-aadd5da8de9c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_e12275fa-56a4-408d-b49a-bf3ee6a25abc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_e12275fa-56a4-408d-b49a-bf3ee6a25abc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_356268d5-3bf5-486d-a510-d1d5902a394c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_356268d5-3bf5-486d-a510-d1d5902a394c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_9e178fad-6457-47a1-82b8-ebff564f439e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_9e178fad-6457-47a1-82b8-ebff564f439e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_a9812f69-0cbc-4aa6-83ef-d5733e6d2e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_9e178fad-6457-47a1-82b8-ebff564f439e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_a9812f69-0cbc-4aa6-83ef-d5733e6d2e42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_f90ce003-c44b-432e-92cf-006241b729bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_9e178fad-6457-47a1-82b8-ebff564f439e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_f90ce003-c44b-432e-92cf-006241b729bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_9a91e21e-28f1-4ba9-835c-866ea3858abf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_35f9eca2-09ed-4a93-a10f-1457e71bfbc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_9a91e21e-28f1-4ba9-835c-866ea3858abf" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_77b5b9bd-f212-463b-b34d-76e5083a32a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_9a91e21e-28f1-4ba9-835c-866ea3858abf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_77b5b9bd-f212-463b-b34d-76e5083a32a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_ace4a663-9d3a-4017-87eb-300e8acab5d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_9a91e21e-28f1-4ba9-835c-866ea3858abf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_ace4a663-9d3a-4017-87eb-300e8acab5d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_04e9271e-c606-46ee-9ccf-1bbf92ef8359" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_06233159-9f3a-45d1-bda7-63c10266cc81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_04e9271e-c606-46ee-9ccf-1bbf92ef8359" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_06233159-9f3a-45d1-bda7-63c10266cc81" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d782b4b5-446b-4946-a782-449c1d6962ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_06233159-9f3a-45d1-bda7-63c10266cc81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d782b4b5-446b-4946-a782-449c1d6962ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d782b4b5-446b-4946-a782-449c1d6962ca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d782b4b5-446b-4946-a782-449c1d6962ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d782b4b5-446b-4946-a782-449c1d6962ca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_88afe487-ab97-419e-adce-452a1b93e1cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d782b4b5-446b-4946-a782-449c1d6962ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_88afe487-ab97-419e-adce-452a1b93e1cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_34a1b5a6-712a-4302-bfb9-76c5d88e187b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_88afe487-ab97-419e-adce-452a1b93e1cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_34a1b5a6-712a-4302-bfb9-76c5d88e187b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_c2890bed-08ce-46a0-a00b-07d167d85d45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_88afe487-ab97-419e-adce-452a1b93e1cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_c2890bed-08ce-46a0-a00b-07d167d85d45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_f11d241a-9b93-448b-9e8f-195cfe526ecf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_88afe487-ab97-419e-adce-452a1b93e1cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_f11d241a-9b93-448b-9e8f-195cfe526ecf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_04e9271e-c606-46ee-9ccf-1bbf92ef8359" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_917a9cfe-ab8b-4c49-90de-a6f715488ada" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_917a9cfe-ab8b-4c49-90de-a6f715488ada" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_01e46330-5dac-4db6-a9a6-6c059159ce05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_01e46330-5dac-4db6-a9a6-6c059159ce05" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_957a7082-b40d-4306-8504-fc6b3c3f7402" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_957a7082-b40d-4306-8504-fc6b3c3f7402" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_edeb120d-e171-4a89-9724-5dce1154ad73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_edeb120d-e171-4a89-9724-5dce1154ad73" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_6b5842e6-62da-48ac-91bd-5913a5a36dfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_6b5842e6-62da-48ac-91bd-5913a5a36dfe" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_7e5230c8-caa0-462d-8404-3b00cc5410b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_7e5230c8-caa0-462d-8404-3b00cc5410b7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_b3ce18d8-5e75-4cd3-a12c-58a498ae77a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_b3ce18d8-5e75-4cd3-a12c-58a498ae77a2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_372bba17-92e3-4434-8a08-df49341085e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_372bba17-92e3-4434-8a08-df49341085e0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_5916a5cb-3bd2-4867-ab07-1973eac08442" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_5916a5cb-3bd2-4867-ab07-1973eac08442" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_e4bcddc9-1dd3-418c-bd91-b4f63fe8c494" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_e4bcddc9-1dd3-418c-bd91-b4f63fe8c494" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_dbc12d46-793a-4949-b420-d4ab97620a9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c428d1de-1361-4d66-892a-ccbc5495dad5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_dbc12d46-793a-4949-b420-d4ab97620a9f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_1d03dbc4-2b4e-4bf3-9751-49cd79dbc86e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_cdd17b75-6de3-4d06-b01b-3d2326bb94de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_27a6efaf-d434-45f5-b1ff-1c30c81f04d3" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_6dd60871-6442-496c-8dd3-37b493f084b7" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_27a6efaf-d434-45f5-b1ff-1c30c81f04d3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_6dd60871-6442-496c-8dd3-37b493f084b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_21eb6767-a066-4235-9931-ff02092c65ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_6dd60871-6442-496c-8dd3-37b493f084b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_21eb6767-a066-4235-9931-ff02092c65ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_21eb6767-a066-4235-9931-ff02092c65ad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_21eb6767-a066-4235-9931-ff02092c65ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_21eb6767-a066-4235-9931-ff02092c65ad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9cb9ae99-a59f-44db-90f0-b5609eabd174" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_21eb6767-a066-4235-9931-ff02092c65ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9cb9ae99-a59f-44db-90f0-b5609eabd174" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_7ff6fa2f-243b-4860-aeb5-a3dd814a6940" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9cb9ae99-a59f-44db-90f0-b5609eabd174" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_7ff6fa2f-243b-4860-aeb5-a3dd814a6940" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2b5b59a7-729d-4cc1-911c-e4a73c5391f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_6dd60871-6442-496c-8dd3-37b493f084b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2b5b59a7-729d-4cc1-911c-e4a73c5391f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2b5b59a7-729d-4cc1-911c-e4a73c5391f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2b5b59a7-729d-4cc1-911c-e4a73c5391f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2b5b59a7-729d-4cc1-911c-e4a73c5391f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_08a81800-efe5-4c4e-961a-2363474276a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2b5b59a7-729d-4cc1-911c-e4a73c5391f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_08a81800-efe5-4c4e-961a-2363474276a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_9ebec072-457f-4bd3-b128-47bfe8054c82" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_08a81800-efe5-4c4e-961a-2363474276a7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_9ebec072-457f-4bd3-b128-47bfe8054c82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bf1a1f4c-75c6-422e-8836-d8fd2488b9cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_6dd60871-6442-496c-8dd3-37b493f084b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bf1a1f4c-75c6-422e-8836-d8fd2488b9cd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_bf1a1f4c-75c6-422e-8836-d8fd2488b9cd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bf1a1f4c-75c6-422e-8836-d8fd2488b9cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_bf1a1f4c-75c6-422e-8836-d8fd2488b9cd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_4aaa2cb6-0af4-4073-8d14-8b792825183c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bf1a1f4c-75c6-422e-8836-d8fd2488b9cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_4aaa2cb6-0af4-4073-8d14-8b792825183c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_543784ee-a187-4248-af26-809650476340" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_4aaa2cb6-0af4-4073-8d14-8b792825183c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_543784ee-a187-4248-af26-809650476340" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_7daea08a-7c20-4f1a-9d2c-5b20cdd6c3fc" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_27a6efaf-d434-45f5-b1ff-1c30c81f04d3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_7daea08a-7c20-4f1a-9d2c-5b20cdd6c3fc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_ca563a96-47fb-42fc-8aa7-be7c3f5c2dd0" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_27a6efaf-d434-45f5-b1ff-1c30c81f04d3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_ca563a96-47fb-42fc-8aa7-be7c3f5c2dd0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_c1a2e273-327d-4bf4-a539-26600e72833d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_27a6efaf-d434-45f5-b1ff-1c30c81f04d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_c1a2e273-327d-4bf4-a539-26600e72833d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_4242e1e2-0260-48e6-8cdd-d9f752f09700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_27a6efaf-d434-45f5-b1ff-1c30c81f04d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_4242e1e2-0260-48e6-8cdd-d9f752f09700" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_7c2099be-fcdb-47fe-992d-27750253d16d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_48f968ee-e50d-47c0-929e-8edd214575c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_7c2099be-fcdb-47fe-992d-27750253d16d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_48f968ee-e50d-47c0-929e-8edd214575c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bbf56ba8-5293-4385-b802-f9e15d023770" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_48f968ee-e50d-47c0-929e-8edd214575c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bbf56ba8-5293-4385-b802-f9e15d023770" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_bbf56ba8-5293-4385-b802-f9e15d023770_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bbf56ba8-5293-4385-b802-f9e15d023770" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_bbf56ba8-5293-4385-b802-f9e15d023770_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_c4e17e8c-1fe8-4a29-b688-83558fadf9a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_bbf56ba8-5293-4385-b802-f9e15d023770" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_c4e17e8c-1fe8-4a29-b688-83558fadf9a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_215733d4-aef6-4259-97d7-cfb3cba47cbc" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_c4e17e8c-1fe8-4a29-b688-83558fadf9a6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_215733d4-aef6-4259-97d7-cfb3cba47cbc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3e57e5a4-a996-45d0-9c11-46fee73d414e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_48f968ee-e50d-47c0-929e-8edd214575c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3e57e5a4-a996-45d0-9c11-46fee73d414e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3e57e5a4-a996-45d0-9c11-46fee73d414e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3e57e5a4-a996-45d0-9c11-46fee73d414e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3e57e5a4-a996-45d0-9c11-46fee73d414e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3f92114f-14b5-43de-a62e-a77215e6f619" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3e57e5a4-a996-45d0-9c11-46fee73d414e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3f92114f-14b5-43de-a62e-a77215e6f619" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_51d26452-43ef-40da-9f9b-40a05d2828f5" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3f92114f-14b5-43de-a62e-a77215e6f619" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_51d26452-43ef-40da-9f9b-40a05d2828f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_693aa93b-df6e-4173-afca-2dc94de3109f" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_7c2099be-fcdb-47fe-992d-27750253d16d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_693aa93b-df6e-4173-afca-2dc94de3109f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedAssetAcquiredIdentifiableIntangibleAssetIndefiniteLived_f3224991-9a33-4073-8068-164390cea6f7" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedAssetAcquiredIdentifiableIntangibleAssetIndefiniteLived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_7c2099be-fcdb-47fe-992d-27750253d16d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedAssetAcquiredIdentifiableIntangibleAssetIndefiniteLived_f3224991-9a33-4073-8068-164390cea6f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_0e0a2095-09b0-4859-bb76-34b8a0080365" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_4ba62ba6-f4bf-4b7c-884a-0bc77beebf61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_0e0a2095-09b0-4859-bb76-34b8a0080365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_4ba62ba6-f4bf-4b7c-884a-0bc77beebf61" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b32062c7-951f-40fa-a257-b955b037bd1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_4ba62ba6-f4bf-4b7c-884a-0bc77beebf61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b32062c7-951f-40fa-a257-b955b037bd1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b32062c7-951f-40fa-a257-b955b037bd1b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b32062c7-951f-40fa-a257-b955b037bd1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b32062c7-951f-40fa-a257-b955b037bd1b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f417cfca-01fd-4049-a2fd-bf2d348e273e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b32062c7-951f-40fa-a257-b955b037bd1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f417cfca-01fd-4049-a2fd-bf2d348e273e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_3e7cf2b2-a4a9-42de-816f-18272cfd106e" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f417cfca-01fd-4049-a2fd-bf2d348e273e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_3e7cf2b2-a4a9-42de-816f-18272cfd106e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f052d1eb-894d-475c-bd83-3e8dec324e15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_4ba62ba6-f4bf-4b7c-884a-0bc77beebf61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f052d1eb-894d-475c-bd83-3e8dec324e15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f052d1eb-894d-475c-bd83-3e8dec324e15_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f052d1eb-894d-475c-bd83-3e8dec324e15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f052d1eb-894d-475c-bd83-3e8dec324e15_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7de4e2a5-22f1-4f5d-b26b-62453b8af46d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f052d1eb-894d-475c-bd83-3e8dec324e15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7de4e2a5-22f1-4f5d-b26b-62453b8af46d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_ccf4d347-193d-48eb-b7e1-bfb1ff26e5a2" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7de4e2a5-22f1-4f5d-b26b-62453b8af46d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_ccf4d347-193d-48eb-b7e1-bfb1ff26e5a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_9ad92a4a-53d5-4d89-bd6f-8015e8df8688" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_4ba62ba6-f4bf-4b7c-884a-0bc77beebf61" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_9ad92a4a-53d5-4d89-bd6f-8015e8df8688" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_9ad92a4a-53d5-4d89-bd6f-8015e8df8688_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_9ad92a4a-53d5-4d89-bd6f-8015e8df8688" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_9ad92a4a-53d5-4d89-bd6f-8015e8df8688_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_e2ae4371-957f-43ea-a7eb-dae0d64bb46e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_9ad92a4a-53d5-4d89-bd6f-8015e8df8688" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_e2ae4371-957f-43ea-a7eb-dae0d64bb46e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_FormerOwnersOfChasersPokerRoomMember_e6e56f17-24de-4412-93d5-49b6aaeebe3c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_FormerOwnersOfChasersPokerRoomMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_e2ae4371-957f-43ea-a7eb-dae0d64bb46e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_FormerOwnersOfChasersPokerRoomMember_e6e56f17-24de-4412-93d5-49b6aaeebe3c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_7685aeb3-bba0-43aa-9bcf-875195ad01d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_4ba62ba6-f4bf-4b7c-884a-0bc77beebf61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_7685aeb3-bba0-43aa-9bcf-875195ad01d7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_7685aeb3-bba0-43aa-9bcf-875195ad01d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_7685aeb3-bba0-43aa-9bcf-875195ad01d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_7685aeb3-bba0-43aa-9bcf-875195ad01d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96cbce88-dc11-4f14-bafd-997f1fce3e87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_7685aeb3-bba0-43aa-9bcf-875195ad01d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96cbce88-dc11-4f14-bafd-997f1fce3e87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_4c7161d0-3a9d-4626-83f2-bd7b7991da01" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96cbce88-dc11-4f14-bafd-997f1fce3e87" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_4c7161d0-3a9d-4626-83f2-bd7b7991da01" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_bd9c19d7-cda3-4f55-90fb-7d5362b5f53b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_0e0a2095-09b0-4859-bb76-34b8a0080365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_bd9c19d7-cda3-4f55-90fb-7d5362b5f53b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_12c90c37-0e35-4354-b465-820090f18d6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_0e0a2095-09b0-4859-bb76-34b8a0080365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_12c90c37-0e35-4354-b465-820090f18d6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentLiabilities_619e7d3f-344c-4380-907a-43a667536ae4" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_0e0a2095-09b0-4859-bb76-34b8a0080365" xlink:to="loc_chdn_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentLiabilities_619e7d3f-344c-4380-907a-43a667536ae4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredContingentConsideration_cfb86d81-1163-44d3-ba90-b6a189d3528a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredContingentConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_0e0a2095-09b0-4859-bb76-34b8a0080365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredContingentConsideration_cfb86d81-1163-44d3-ba90-b6a189d3528a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_e98dc538-5671-490d-b064-c51984cdf86e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_e98dc538-5671-490d-b064-c51984cdf86e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_c48be1bf-3815-4d01-a3ff-df0ac313fd4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_e98dc538-5671-490d-b064-c51984cdf86e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_c48be1bf-3815-4d01-a3ff-df0ac313fd4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c48be1bf-3815-4d01-a3ff-df0ac313fd4e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_c48be1bf-3815-4d01-a3ff-df0ac313fd4e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c48be1bf-3815-4d01-a3ff-df0ac313fd4e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be8af7e6-a033-43e8-8e63-456baece46ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_c48be1bf-3815-4d01-a3ff-df0ac313fd4e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be8af7e6-a033-43e8-8e63-456baece46ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_405dc086-24f2-4c29-bd05-f68b2702585d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be8af7e6-a033-43e8-8e63-456baece46ec" xlink:to="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_405dc086-24f2-4c29-bd05-f68b2702585d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_bafa4d14-59b3-4485-b584-e03ee96341b5" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be8af7e6-a033-43e8-8e63-456baece46ec" xlink:to="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_bafa4d14-59b3-4485-b584-e03ee96341b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_3dec8844-a851-4376-9a13-4aa08fcec0ae" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be8af7e6-a033-43e8-8e63-456baece46ec" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_3dec8844-a851-4376-9a13-4aa08fcec0ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember_a6222b94-dba8-4c9a-9689-8da8bdfcd05d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be8af7e6-a033-43e8-8e63-456baece46ec" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember_a6222b94-dba8-4c9a-9689-8da8bdfcd05d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_833ec47a-b9db-4895-ba17-153d952fb23c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_e98dc538-5671-490d-b064-c51984cdf86e" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_833ec47a-b9db-4895-ba17-153d952fb23c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_833ec47a-b9db-4895-ba17-153d952fb23c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_833ec47a-b9db-4895-ba17-153d952fb23c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_833ec47a-b9db-4895-ba17-153d952fb23c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_9c1db503-bb93-4f78-956b-0ad68d6caa2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_833ec47a-b9db-4895-ba17-153d952fb23c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_9c1db503-bb93-4f78-956b-0ad68d6caa2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember_20a4d54b-8534-46f0-96f0-15ee4fdc00d0" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_9c1db503-bb93-4f78-956b-0ad68d6caa2d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember_20a4d54b-8534-46f0-96f0-15ee4fdc00d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_617d1fe9-13db-4f52-a927-2a091c4130ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_617d1fe9-13db-4f52-a927-2a091c4130ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_bb6c2f54-74f3-45cc-8f6a-3216bf045c09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_bb6c2f54-74f3-45cc-8f6a-3216bf045c09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_80c7283a-99e9-4893-8ffa-2d6147a5b974" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_80c7283a-99e9-4893-8ffa-2d6147a5b974" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare_b7c92a65-6640-41eb-b1b6-08057dfd1c50" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare_b7c92a65-6640-41eb-b1b6-08057dfd1c50" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_5197daee-43b9-47f1-9e09-638cac7ecb78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_5197daee-43b9-47f1-9e09-638cac7ecb78" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodDiscountFromMarketPrice_e0d1d21f-777e-45a8-8f55-59be3230decb" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodDiscountFromMarketPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodDiscountFromMarketPrice_e0d1d21f-777e-45a8-8f55-59be3230decb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_3d0ec2fb-654d-49e7-acfc-f4c84b3db62e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_3d0ec2fb-654d-49e7-acfc-f4c84b3db62e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLiability_d8dff9df-69a5-4fdc-9601-23141a4e78be" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_43dfd2af-5b3d-43ee-aad4-105d9017d616" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLiability_d8dff9df-69a5-4fdc-9601-23141a4e78be" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_ea2032d7-f18c-4f0c-957b-4f385410cffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_dd3fe7f3-d67a-4a1c-a4ad-5b94762b9379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_ea2032d7-f18c-4f0c-957b-4f385410cffa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_dd3fe7f3-d67a-4a1c-a4ad-5b94762b9379" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_7b31a5ca-7a60-4170-8157-5dd5cd6beec2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_dd3fe7f3-d67a-4a1c-a4ad-5b94762b9379" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_7b31a5ca-7a60-4170-8157-5dd5cd6beec2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_7b31a5ca-7a60-4170-8157-5dd5cd6beec2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_7b31a5ca-7a60-4170-8157-5dd5cd6beec2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_7b31a5ca-7a60-4170-8157-5dd5cd6beec2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_cd67226a-51e0-4c3f-b89b-df2def48bfe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_7b31a5ca-7a60-4170-8157-5dd5cd6beec2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_cd67226a-51e0-4c3f-b89b-df2def48bfe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_bc773497-7f42-4a04-bd02-4c66f866682f" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_cd67226a-51e0-4c3f-b89b-df2def48bfe1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_bc773497-7f42-4a04-bd02-4c66f866682f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_a4e41d4c-395b-4d61-9277-0cdfdd0c2b6a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_cd67226a-51e0-4c3f-b89b-df2def48bfe1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_a4e41d4c-395b-4d61-9277-0cdfdd0c2b6a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_f49bdc4f-792b-44be-bef3-3ec2b655d312" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_cd67226a-51e0-4c3f-b89b-df2def48bfe1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_f49bdc4f-792b-44be-bef3-3ec2b655d312" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_35f4006e-072a-406d-98c4-4010a92090d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_ea2032d7-f18c-4f0c-957b-4f385410cffa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_35f4006e-072a-406d-98c4-4010a92090d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_208cf72f-71a6-4f57-a5a1-ea0856df20bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_ea2032d7-f18c-4f0c-957b-4f385410cffa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_208cf72f-71a6-4f57-a5a1-ea0856df20bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_f0c8779f-5dc6-4011-86ad-5903ce16c81f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_f0c8779f-5dc6-4011-86ad-5903ce16c81f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_0dc89fbf-6b60-46bf-986d-a795cc23fff7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_f0c8779f-5dc6-4011-86ad-5903ce16c81f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_0dc89fbf-6b60-46bf-986d-a795cc23fff7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_0dc89fbf-6b60-46bf-986d-a795cc23fff7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_0dc89fbf-6b60-46bf-986d-a795cc23fff7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_0dc89fbf-6b60-46bf-986d-a795cc23fff7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_734d99d6-58ce-46bc-a643-25972eda0a3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_0dc89fbf-6b60-46bf-986d-a795cc23fff7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_734d99d6-58ce-46bc-a643-25972eda0a3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_c8904f79-e628-4027-9c38-251c1a752fbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_734d99d6-58ce-46bc-a643-25972eda0a3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_c8904f79-e628-4027-9c38-251c1a752fbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3a22e61d-765d-492c-b5f4-a952f799947e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_f0c8779f-5dc6-4011-86ad-5903ce16c81f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3a22e61d-765d-492c-b5f4-a952f799947e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3a22e61d-765d-492c-b5f4-a952f799947e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3a22e61d-765d-492c-b5f4-a952f799947e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3a22e61d-765d-492c-b5f4-a952f799947e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_31f9b928-ee23-4a4e-a195-25c70fdda03b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3a22e61d-765d-492c-b5f4-a952f799947e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_31f9b928-ee23-4a4e-a195-25c70fdda03b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_894e7d05-ff06-4e3c-9939-7bca1ab5bd66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_31f9b928-ee23-4a4e-a195-25c70fdda03b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_894e7d05-ff06-4e3c-9939-7bca1ab5bd66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_1a2e6233-e4a0-4ca9-8cb7-f0bed0d1fc59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_f0c8779f-5dc6-4011-86ad-5903ce16c81f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_1a2e6233-e4a0-4ca9-8cb7-f0bed0d1fc59" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_1a2e6233-e4a0-4ca9-8cb7-f0bed0d1fc59_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_1a2e6233-e4a0-4ca9-8cb7-f0bed0d1fc59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_1a2e6233-e4a0-4ca9-8cb7-f0bed0d1fc59_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b490ac06-bba7-4034-9102-fcbefdccac7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_1a2e6233-e4a0-4ca9-8cb7-f0bed0d1fc59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b490ac06-bba7-4034-9102-fcbefdccac7f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember_60271961-8612-4921-966d-c83a83f1b9aa" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b490ac06-bba7-4034-9102-fcbefdccac7f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember_60271961-8612-4921-966d-c83a83f1b9aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_599cb332-5b2e-41cb-a422-964dcda0b1a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_599cb332-5b2e-41cb-a422-964dcda0b1a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent_682f827f-f2f3-48ae-8ec8-e0d9d24de04c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent_682f827f-f2f3-48ae-8ec8-e0d9d24de04c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_469201b3-a815-4b9d-8639-f338f0224bc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_469201b3-a815-4b9d-8639-f338f0224bc8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions_d24b1966-2adf-42e0-81ee-ae584ae2cc82" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions_d24b1966-2adf-42e0-81ee-ae584ae2cc82" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria_d6225875-e8c8-45d2-9b24-d49caa2ec09a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_67e68b04-cf9e-46d9-9242-779913cf1b6a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria_d6225875-e8c8-45d2-9b24-d49caa2ec09a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c741941a-6ea5-4225-8848-56562ff53b31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0353d858-7ef3-4312-9b22-80df34d76aed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c741941a-6ea5-4225-8848-56562ff53b31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0353d858-7ef3-4312-9b22-80df34d76aed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6c50b31c-bd14-4d8a-bb66-ef70cb093419" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0353d858-7ef3-4312-9b22-80df34d76aed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6c50b31c-bd14-4d8a-bb66-ef70cb093419" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6c50b31c-bd14-4d8a-bb66-ef70cb093419_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6c50b31c-bd14-4d8a-bb66-ef70cb093419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6c50b31c-bd14-4d8a-bb66-ef70cb093419_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8c371115-c140-4f55-a151-1dd1af216bd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6c50b31c-bd14-4d8a-bb66-ef70cb093419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8c371115-c140-4f55-a151-1dd1af216bd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_9e7d6467-2a81-4b21-99fd-b22ce06e8972" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8c371115-c140-4f55-a151-1dd1af216bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_9e7d6467-2a81-4b21-99fd-b22ce06e8972" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_49ca22a4-28d7-4a0f-898a-12b4a7b1f719" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8c371115-c140-4f55-a151-1dd1af216bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_49ca22a4-28d7-4a0f-898a-12b4a7b1f719" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_e1cd6526-973f-4755-8f07-6413a905765d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8c371115-c140-4f55-a151-1dd1af216bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_e1cd6526-973f-4755-8f07-6413a905765d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_dd2103a1-4c1a-4c6c-847c-2f7b207e5b49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0353d858-7ef3-4312-9b22-80df34d76aed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_dd2103a1-4c1a-4c6c-847c-2f7b207e5b49" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_dd2103a1-4c1a-4c6c-847c-2f7b207e5b49_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_dd2103a1-4c1a-4c6c-847c-2f7b207e5b49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_dd2103a1-4c1a-4c6c-847c-2f7b207e5b49_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_314403d3-ff93-4468-8086-e0e54e6a76d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_dd2103a1-4c1a-4c6c-847c-2f7b207e5b49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_314403d3-ff93-4468-8086-e0e54e6a76d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_6589e3ee-2865-4979-b279-59ac0b71979c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_314403d3-ff93-4468-8086-e0e54e6a76d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_6589e3ee-2865-4979-b279-59ac0b71979c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_018e4993-7d12-4394-9cd0-a8189fd68397" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_314403d3-ff93-4468-8086-e0e54e6a76d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_018e4993-7d12-4394-9cd0-a8189fd68397" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_72c30e54-47fb-4ebf-8d80-8ff1cde1ee11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c741941a-6ea5-4225-8848-56562ff53b31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_72c30e54-47fb-4ebf-8d80-8ff1cde1ee11" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_1496e2cd-ecc2-4727-8b95-19daedf4dbe8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c741941a-6ea5-4225-8848-56562ff53b31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_1496e2cd-ecc2-4727-8b95-19daedf4dbe8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2f2b20e1-beec-4eb1-a99f-4bb69211b90e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a3bf151c-12ac-4420-9fb0-b7d9d31c4ced" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2f2b20e1-beec-4eb1-a99f-4bb69211b90e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a3bf151c-12ac-4420-9fb0-b7d9d31c4ced" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d137ff1f-6346-4730-82c5-56cab70e860c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a3bf151c-12ac-4420-9fb0-b7d9d31c4ced" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d137ff1f-6346-4730-82c5-56cab70e860c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d137ff1f-6346-4730-82c5-56cab70e860c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d137ff1f-6346-4730-82c5-56cab70e860c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d137ff1f-6346-4730-82c5-56cab70e860c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2fd268b7-7e2c-45e4-a6fb-a59318ef107c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d137ff1f-6346-4730-82c5-56cab70e860c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2fd268b7-7e2c-45e4-a6fb-a59318ef107c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_11101182-c21a-417d-9789-7ba0a712fdb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2fd268b7-7e2c-45e4-a6fb-a59318ef107c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_11101182-c21a-417d-9789-7ba0a712fdb9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_9d6606c6-7784-411f-bbb6-4021696ef610" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2fd268b7-7e2c-45e4-a6fb-a59318ef107c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_9d6606c6-7784-411f-bbb6-4021696ef610" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8df15811-02cc-4816-af2c-333f50aabbfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a3bf151c-12ac-4420-9fb0-b7d9d31c4ced" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8df15811-02cc-4816-af2c-333f50aabbfa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8df15811-02cc-4816-af2c-333f50aabbfa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8df15811-02cc-4816-af2c-333f50aabbfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8df15811-02cc-4816-af2c-333f50aabbfa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8df15811-02cc-4816-af2c-333f50aabbfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_4fa68967-5a20-4c2a-affd-176080105bf1" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_4fa68967-5a20-4c2a-affd-176080105bf1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2029Member_2dadf3a4-0e40-43c9-afaa-75c8f7865c44" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2029Member_2dadf3a4-0e40-43c9-afaa-75c8f7865c44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_0df27f18-55ef-4ee4-b976-2c3d699e0dd1" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_0df27f18-55ef-4ee4-b976-2c3d699e0dd1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_16e2696d-acce-40de-af4b-b0a73d59d11c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_16e2696d-acce-40de-af4b-b0a73d59d11c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_db5c4798-3df0-4324-9233-3da9cad8953b" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_db5c4798-3df0-4324-9233-3da9cad8953b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_30931131-9212-46db-a0d8-d8c725dfcc1c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_30931131-9212-46db-a0d8-d8c725dfcc1c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_22760943-9cd5-4515-88f8-48a65697bd81" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7ab2f712-7df0-493f-8743-0de89afc1a68" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_22760943-9cd5-4515-88f8-48a65697bd81" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e03c38a6-31fd-490e-95fc-46900bb72075" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a3bf151c-12ac-4420-9fb0-b7d9d31c4ced" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e03c38a6-31fd-490e-95fc-46900bb72075" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_e03c38a6-31fd-490e-95fc-46900bb72075_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e03c38a6-31fd-490e-95fc-46900bb72075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_e03c38a6-31fd-490e-95fc-46900bb72075_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a1079291-a378-4deb-ad93-7a5d78398ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e03c38a6-31fd-490e-95fc-46900bb72075" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a1079291-a378-4deb-ad93-7a5d78398ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_99638142-51d5-48e1-9f8c-4b991e978f8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a1079291-a378-4deb-ad93-7a5d78398ca1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_99638142-51d5-48e1-9f8c-4b991e978f8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_3bc31df4-c4cb-4312-8da9-8fffc23d2a8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a1079291-a378-4deb-ad93-7a5d78398ca1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_3bc31df4-c4cb-4312-8da9-8fffc23d2a8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_4417e8ac-ee74-422f-a4f6-857f0e658cfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2f2b20e1-beec-4eb1-a99f-4bb69211b90e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_4417e8ac-ee74-422f-a4f6-857f0e658cfe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_caaabf4d-cb03-4aca-86a6-bfb61b53c7c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2f2b20e1-beec-4eb1-a99f-4bb69211b90e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_caaabf4d-cb03-4aca-86a6-bfb61b53c7c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_db40a531-834a-4f71-86e6-a80902bb27ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2f2b20e1-beec-4eb1-a99f-4bb69211b90e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_db40a531-834a-4f71-86e6-a80902bb27ac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_a8bebab8-315a-4533-bcea-f7699d169ffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2f2b20e1-beec-4eb1-a99f-4bb69211b90e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_a8bebab8-315a-4533-bcea-f7699d169ffa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#DebtAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b9eeb6e4-5b1e-4e01-8b9a-305113060ea4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b9eeb6e4-5b1e-4e01-8b9a-305113060ea4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ecd34f2-6e81-46c6-b2cc-72b2f61d4bdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b9eeb6e4-5b1e-4e01-8b9a-305113060ea4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ecd34f2-6e81-46c6-b2cc-72b2f61d4bdd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0ecd34f2-6e81-46c6-b2cc-72b2f61d4bdd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ecd34f2-6e81-46c6-b2cc-72b2f61d4bdd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0ecd34f2-6e81-46c6-b2cc-72b2f61d4bdd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_62914ea3-4d72-43e9-abcd-1342af96c585" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ecd34f2-6e81-46c6-b2cc-72b2f61d4bdd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_62914ea3-4d72-43e9-abcd-1342af96c585" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_7531df79-7ec3-4757-961b-e8034bd7bee3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_62914ea3-4d72-43e9-abcd-1342af96c585" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_7531df79-7ec3-4757-961b-e8034bd7bee3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_413b094f-aa82-4f9a-a7ac-e282eea3b94d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_62914ea3-4d72-43e9-abcd-1342af96c585" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_413b094f-aa82-4f9a-a7ac-e282eea3b94d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_ae44b910-cb25-4e83-8ac1-e84032b097bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_62914ea3-4d72-43e9-abcd-1342af96c585" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_ae44b910-cb25-4e83-8ac1-e84032b097bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_be2b001c-47ce-49ea-b592-c44eb5c56121" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_62914ea3-4d72-43e9-abcd-1342af96c585" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_be2b001c-47ce-49ea-b592-c44eb5c56121" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_29df0c4d-94cf-48b5-91e8-c254e8335cdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b9eeb6e4-5b1e-4e01-8b9a-305113060ea4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_29df0c4d-94cf-48b5-91e8-c254e8335cdd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_29df0c4d-94cf-48b5-91e8-c254e8335cdd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_29df0c4d-94cf-48b5-91e8-c254e8335cdd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_29df0c4d-94cf-48b5-91e8-c254e8335cdd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_29df0c4d-94cf-48b5-91e8-c254e8335cdd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_e5e5a6e0-e342-4b13-9594-95259d0dd89d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_e5e5a6e0-e342-4b13-9594-95259d0dd89d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2029Member_19708bde-fcef-4f65-88c6-a124421bf1d7" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2029Member_19708bde-fcef-4f65-88c6-a124421bf1d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_60a16c35-2d10-4d96-aa9c-8ec9b0df1872" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_60a16c35-2d10-4d96-aa9c-8ec9b0df1872" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_5c3376af-b0f3-4ae0-a8f6-2122dfb4c72f" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_5c3376af-b0f3-4ae0-a8f6-2122dfb4c72f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_33b7962a-7485-453d-a940-bcf0c3ca18d7" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_33b7962a-7485-453d-a940-bcf0c3ca18d7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_3520d691-7417-4dbb-aeed-66791ec8693e" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_3520d691-7417-4dbb-aeed-66791ec8693e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_6027aafe-d57f-4e78-9826-cc5f325f0ce4" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_6027aafe-d57f-4e78-9826-cc5f325f0ce4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_d2b8f6f0-35d3-4b70-9337-98ff06b9371c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_d2b8f6f0-35d3-4b70-9337-98ff06b9371c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_136d9086-f7c4-4d67-bf30-fe6af77b13b0" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e2df3ee3-7024-4cce-9ec3-643ef7ec9f64" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_136d9086-f7c4-4d67-bf30-fe6af77b13b0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ee4b86c1-0665-42ef-9d2b-cc8cee64843b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b9eeb6e4-5b1e-4e01-8b9a-305113060ea4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ee4b86c1-0665-42ef-9d2b-cc8cee64843b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ee4b86c1-0665-42ef-9d2b-cc8cee64843b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ee4b86c1-0665-42ef-9d2b-cc8cee64843b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ee4b86c1-0665-42ef-9d2b-cc8cee64843b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8311c9cc-d30f-42ac-bc94-daba54a03d05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ee4b86c1-0665-42ef-9d2b-cc8cee64843b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8311c9cc-d30f-42ac-bc94-daba54a03d05" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_97af7192-3bcc-48d4-90a3-d1b187792879" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8311c9cc-d30f-42ac-bc94-daba54a03d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_97af7192-3bcc-48d4-90a3-d1b187792879" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_1a7157b3-ba0b-4117-800b-8fa28c4d6daa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8311c9cc-d30f-42ac-bc94-daba54a03d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_1a7157b3-ba0b-4117-800b-8fa28c4d6daa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6fa6e689-8848-4260-b001-87f9dee541f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6fa6e689-8848-4260-b001-87f9dee541f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease_db48050b-40bb-4eac-8f54-b8bd22581273" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease_db48050b-40bb-4eac-8f54-b8bd22581273" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_3529b1cb-13a7-4271-86ea-6ff0fc383551" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_3529b1cb-13a7-4271-86ea-6ff0fc383551" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateElimination_950f83a5-836c-4b8a-93b6-31b666b4bfe8" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateElimination"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateElimination_950f83a5-836c-4b8a-93b6-31b666b4bfe8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal_0c77e23b-7f79-4fb2-baac-77c720594599" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal_0c77e23b-7f79-4fb2-baac-77c720594599" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_702d2f45-f615-4218-bd9d-443cc559c127" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_702d2f45-f615-4218-bd9d-443cc559c127" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration_a5686956-c511-4ccf-a2fd-4852db5ca4e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration_a5686956-c511-4ccf-a2fd-4852db5ca4e9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_3edf8bfd-4f2b-46e7-9034-f5edfb295022" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_3edf8bfd-4f2b-46e7-9034-f5edfb295022" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_ccf9ee26-3b56-4cf2-bd99-177b3ecd0df7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_ccf9ee26-3b56-4cf2-bd99-177b3ecd0df7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_9decfe53-805d-4e0e-a9e0-7e9ba8eb22cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_9decfe53-805d-4e0e-a9e0-7e9ba8eb22cc" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_8e91165a-1d56-4b1f-b584-ed82535035b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_8e91165a-1d56-4b1f-b584-ed82535035b2" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_e16fef8e-b4e5-4bd9-9f55-b76e1a3e5ff3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_e16fef8e-b4e5-4bd9-9f55-b76e1a3e5ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_1bff454d-2dff-4421-89e3-8e4ad7b89c0e" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0495c8ad-af7c-48c3-aeaa-40fc8071b3fc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_1bff454d-2dff-4421-89e3-8e4ad7b89c0e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b37a7da9-7926-4b0c-b3ab-1781adcd940f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b37a7da9-7926-4b0c-b3ab-1781adcd940f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_1e33b086-fe09-4d61-a051-14e4cc82f447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b37a7da9-7926-4b0c-b3ab-1781adcd940f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_1e33b086-fe09-4d61-a051-14e4cc82f447" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a166171e-c17a-40e2-8f6c-d633d7f9b067" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a166171e-c17a-40e2-8f6c-d633d7f9b067" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_87590d9e-cee4-4dc2-b6e7-c9aa90cafc2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_87590d9e-cee4-4dc2-b6e7-c9aa90cafc2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b37a7da9-7926-4b0c-b3ab-1781adcd940f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b37a7da9-7926-4b0c-b3ab-1781adcd940f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a166171e-c17a-40e2-8f6c-d633d7f9b067" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a166171e-c17a-40e2-8f6c-d633d7f9b067" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_87590d9e-cee4-4dc2-b6e7-c9aa90cafc2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_2c326330-bb29-4b67-b73b-4067eb1f998e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_87590d9e-cee4-4dc2-b6e7-c9aa90cafc2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2156be43-ec6e-4fda-b270-7e144ed51503" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2156be43-ec6e-4fda-b270-7e144ed51503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_2467181c-8bf1-41d3-82aa-ea6b1e751918" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_2467181c-8bf1-41d3-82aa-ea6b1e751918" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_2467181c-8bf1-41d3-82aa-ea6b1e751918_default" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_2467181c-8bf1-41d3-82aa-ea6b1e751918" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_2467181c-8bf1-41d3-82aa-ea6b1e751918_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_2467181c-8bf1-41d3-82aa-ea6b1e751918" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_6f839d1f-d894-4d34-a681-444905285bb3" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_6f839d1f-d894-4d34-a681-444905285bb3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_759fda61-c423-4567-8dc5-c963528b5301" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_759fda61-c423-4567-8dc5-c963528b5301" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember_bc5ae8b5-d0e8-4e77-91b0-433c9c05edbf" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember_bc5ae8b5-d0e8-4e77-91b0-433c9c05edbf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember_135a83cf-9a1b-4110-bee3-980b08ad946c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember_135a83cf-9a1b-4110-bee3-980b08ad946c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WesternKentuckyMember_98710c2b-4cbc-4202-a33e-5b5828d2b396" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WesternKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WesternKentuckyMember_98710c2b-4cbc-4202-a33e-5b5828d2b396" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_VA_010d01d4-2034-4c8d-9178-a195be608eb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_VA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_VA_010d01d4-2034-4c8d-9178-a195be608eb7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_NH_36d6475f-bde1-41fd-9561-088bcafbd904" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_NH"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_NH_36d6475f-bde1-41fd-9561-088bcafbd904" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_FL_8140c9b5-295a-4a0f-aeb5-fb251107e2af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_FL"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_FL_8140c9b5-295a-4a0f-aeb5-fb251107e2af" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_IA_679a4386-6f2b-489c-9aa5-8f4eb338f46e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_IA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_IA_679a4386-6f2b-489c-9aa5-8f4eb338f46e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_IN_c7ca1a5c-3fa2-497b-94a3-e4826190bad8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_IN"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_IN_c7ca1a5c-3fa2-497b-94a3-e4826190bad8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_LA_24c46b6c-1105-454e-93a0-399de5fe5e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_LA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_LA_24c46b6c-1105-454e-93a0-399de5fe5e42" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_ME_e5d18c93-66a4-49f0-9285-05eb8f062f39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_ME"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_ME_e5d18c93-66a4-49f0-9285-05eb8f062f39" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MD_4b657845-5bdc-42a0-9d00-3ea963b13e43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_MD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MD_4b657845-5bdc-42a0-9d00-3ea963b13e43" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MS_44b168d2-cc9e-4370-9c2e-88f12f5c3097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_MS"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MS_44b168d2-cc9e-4370-9c2e-88f12f5c3097" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_NY_28d6746b-987e-441c-9a8a-ee816dc6213f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_NY"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_NY_28d6746b-987e-441c-9a8a-ee816dc6213f" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_PA_a0a93572-967e-448e-b455-14db1efb5d1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd#stpr_PA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_28acaf94-648b-4ecc-b82d-bdd14e6c8e9d" xlink:to="loc_stpr_PA_a0a93572-967e-448e-b455-14db1efb5d1a" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0198e014-1fbb-44fc-a6ec-208495021a1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0198e014-1fbb-44fc-a6ec-208495021a1d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0198e014-1fbb-44fc-a6ec-208495021a1d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0198e014-1fbb-44fc-a6ec-208495021a1d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0198e014-1fbb-44fc-a6ec-208495021a1d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d3f716b9-91b4-4cff-a286-227fe083e1db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0198e014-1fbb-44fc-a6ec-208495021a1d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d3f716b9-91b4-4cff-a286-227fe083e1db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a33ad9cb-1cd3-45f1-9568-1ba1f58f653c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d3f716b9-91b4-4cff-a286-227fe083e1db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a33ad9cb-1cd3-45f1-9568-1ba1f58f653c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_f2aa97f9-6cc7-470f-9d36-b25a376d8be0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d3f716b9-91b4-4cff-a286-227fe083e1db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_f2aa97f9-6cc7-470f-9d36-b25a376d8be0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_33a8dacc-eb88-4ae4-83d2-639894dcea92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d3f716b9-91b4-4cff-a286-227fe083e1db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_33a8dacc-eb88-4ae4-83d2-639894dcea92" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_df35a5b0-459a-4a98-8575-c82abf1247ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_df35a5b0-459a-4a98-8575-c82abf1247ab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df35a5b0-459a-4a98-8575-c82abf1247ab_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_df35a5b0-459a-4a98-8575-c82abf1247ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df35a5b0-459a-4a98-8575-c82abf1247ab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2513df37-0f40-433a-8942-056b450c3461" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_df35a5b0-459a-4a98-8575-c82abf1247ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2513df37-0f40-433a-8942-056b450c3461" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_a097e0ce-2c79-4a6d-9768-b0f7674a7252" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2513df37-0f40-433a-8942-056b450c3461" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_a097e0ce-2c79-4a6d-9768-b0f7674a7252" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_6ba554da-1312-49e8-8692-d8a78d5d2834" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2513df37-0f40-433a-8942-056b450c3461" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_6ba554da-1312-49e8-8692-d8a78d5d2834" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_2d857a04-c4e7-4ec4-b4a3-e4a9b4edb502" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2513df37-0f40-433a-8942-056b450c3461" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_2d857a04-c4e7-4ec4-b4a3-e4a9b4edb502" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_75fa691d-d453-4286-bd34-ffec0dde3649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_75fa691d-d453-4286-bd34-ffec0dde3649" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_75fa691d-d453-4286-bd34-ffec0dde3649_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_75fa691d-d453-4286-bd34-ffec0dde3649" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_75fa691d-d453-4286-bd34-ffec0dde3649_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_faa6aa87-bb09-4c0f-8acd-b94baf59024e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_75fa691d-d453-4286-bd34-ffec0dde3649" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_faa6aa87-bb09-4c0f-8acd-b94baf59024e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_d74358b9-f7ce-40a1-90a4-ff84277bb4c6" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_faa6aa87-bb09-4c0f-8acd-b94baf59024e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_d74358b9-f7ce-40a1-90a4-ff84277bb4c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e6868d3b-8c65-40e7-8eb9-ea154783a1e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e6868d3b-8c65-40e7-8eb9-ea154783a1e1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e6868d3b-8c65-40e7-8eb9-ea154783a1e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e6868d3b-8c65-40e7-8eb9-ea154783a1e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e6868d3b-8c65-40e7-8eb9-ea154783a1e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e6868d3b-8c65-40e7-8eb9-ea154783a1e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_1022ff7f-8a0e-4bb4-bb06-fa52785d3679" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_1022ff7f-8a0e-4bb4-bb06-fa52785d3679" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_ff531e85-f944-4009-830e-d1a26d3569e7" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_ff531e85-f944-4009-830e-d1a26d3569e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_b71924ac-c64a-4578-811b-907dc3bdae94" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_b71924ac-c64a-4578-811b-907dc3bdae94" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_8620072c-dd27-4f19-a3a1-0de4429a44fa" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_8620072c-dd27-4f19-a3a1-0de4429a44fa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_51a3d26c-1101-4e94-813e-a2817ba32279" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_943c65cc-9a0c-4a8f-a165-550394edf26e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_51a3d26c-1101-4e94-813e-a2817ba32279" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_05434b5a-45c7-430f-b4e9-8387fe460777" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_876c7ad1-0006-4754-a59a-55cae58a28f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_05434b5a-45c7-430f-b4e9-8387fe460777" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_05434b5a-45c7-430f-b4e9-8387fe460777_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_05434b5a-45c7-430f-b4e9-8387fe460777" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_05434b5a-45c7-430f-b4e9-8387fe460777_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d5f1f5bb-c4d4-433b-b8f4-a5026cc0e911" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_05434b5a-45c7-430f-b4e9-8387fe460777" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d5f1f5bb-c4d4-433b-b8f4-a5026cc0e911" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_e77b5d0c-630c-4f8e-8ca5-cc4014a1a462" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d5f1f5bb-c4d4-433b-b8f4-a5026cc0e911" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_e77b5d0c-630c-4f8e-8ca5-cc4014a1a462" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_95af6ef1-765e-4c7f-856a-5dd0afae078c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2156be43-ec6e-4fda-b270-7e144ed51503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_95af6ef1-765e-4c7f-856a-5dd0afae078c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_75f25d12-4859-48db-af9c-f8b029b6f70a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2156be43-ec6e-4fda-b270-7e144ed51503" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_75f25d12-4859-48db-af9c-f8b029b6f70a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SupplementalBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#SupplementalBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SupplementalBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_39c37af1-e7b6-4497-9df5-e2ffcc30a92e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_36b74d1e-7419-43fc-9a68-3171d6cfec93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_39c37af1-e7b6-4497-9df5-e2ffcc30a92e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_36b74d1e-7419-43fc-9a68-3171d6cfec93" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f084b4fe-1a6e-484c-b3f6-76973ea6d30e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_36b74d1e-7419-43fc-9a68-3171d6cfec93" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f084b4fe-1a6e-484c-b3f6-76973ea6d30e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f084b4fe-1a6e-484c-b3f6-76973ea6d30e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f084b4fe-1a6e-484c-b3f6-76973ea6d30e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f084b4fe-1a6e-484c-b3f6-76973ea6d30e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6acf7738-3d1a-4f43-b61e-8475ab41ff3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f084b4fe-1a6e-484c-b3f6-76973ea6d30e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6acf7738-3d1a-4f43-b61e-8475ab41ff3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember_12db7ac3-102f-4e9b-b5b2-c964806b6e3a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6acf7738-3d1a-4f43-b61e-8475ab41ff3e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember_12db7ac3-102f-4e9b-b5b2-c964806b6e3a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember_8ae5eb1a-3198-4466-aa76-7bb8e3cb5e5c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6acf7738-3d1a-4f43-b61e-8475ab41ff3e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember_8ae5eb1a-3198-4466-aa76-7bb8e3cb5e5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherReceivablesMember_d7c29ced-bbe2-4611-8a70-06c01fd9920d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_OtherReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6acf7738-3d1a-4f43-b61e-8475ab41ff3e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherReceivablesMember_d7c29ced-bbe2-4611-8a70-06c01fd9920d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_ee5c72a1-4d72-4bcb-8393-c8024e7e4039" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_39c37af1-e7b6-4497-9df5-e2ffcc30a92e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_ee5c72a1-4d72-4bcb-8393-c8024e7e4039" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_cb6114d8-6269-44e2-933b-b017d2ca2d2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_39c37af1-e7b6-4497-9df5-e2ffcc30a92e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_cb6114d8-6269-44e2-933b-b017d2ca2d2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_e5ed487d-6ffd-40e9-99fe-44fb8a84e500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_39c37af1-e7b6-4497-9df5-e2ffcc30a92e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_e5ed487d-6ffd-40e9-99fe-44fb8a84e500" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_fee5ad7e-0d8a-42b3-9a58-f9ce13ae5fb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_9102ab7c-3df5-42f4-b48c-38b2ad62c313" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_fee5ad7e-0d8a-42b3-9a58-f9ce13ae5fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_9102ab7c-3df5-42f4-b48c-38b2ad62c313" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_f8afa12b-2a15-4279-bc1a-b7bf1af42060" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_9102ab7c-3df5-42f4-b48c-38b2ad62c313" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_f8afa12b-2a15-4279-bc1a-b7bf1af42060" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f8afa12b-2a15-4279-bc1a-b7bf1af42060_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_f8afa12b-2a15-4279-bc1a-b7bf1af42060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f8afa12b-2a15-4279-bc1a-b7bf1af42060_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2ab64f15-b930-4c0e-90eb-f14c9699627f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_f8afa12b-2a15-4279-bc1a-b7bf1af42060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2ab64f15-b930-4c0e-90eb-f14c9699627f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_db258f74-5658-441a-8a6b-b555b5cc181d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2ab64f15-b930-4c0e-90eb-f14c9699627f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_db258f74-5658-441a-8a6b-b555b5cc181d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01e55b67-cc91-48f3-86f7-9f04db367a1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_9102ab7c-3df5-42f4-b48c-38b2ad62c313" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01e55b67-cc91-48f3-86f7-9f04db367a1a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01e55b67-cc91-48f3-86f7-9f04db367a1a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01e55b67-cc91-48f3-86f7-9f04db367a1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01e55b67-cc91-48f3-86f7-9f04db367a1a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b9bb6b0d-5d9e-45f4-84a4-25ac4d86d22e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01e55b67-cc91-48f3-86f7-9f04db367a1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b9bb6b0d-5d9e-45f4-84a4-25ac4d86d22e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_c585a7e9-a16e-4e93-86a7-a921b5645c8d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b9bb6b0d-5d9e-45f4-84a4-25ac4d86d22e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_c585a7e9-a16e-4e93-86a7-a921b5645c8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_b8fda619-cdde-4dff-a219-58fd69805555" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_9102ab7c-3df5-42f4-b48c-38b2ad62c313" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_b8fda619-cdde-4dff-a219-58fd69805555" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b8fda619-cdde-4dff-a219-58fd69805555_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_b8fda619-cdde-4dff-a219-58fd69805555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b8fda619-cdde-4dff-a219-58fd69805555_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_7a928ef2-711b-43cf-9e1e-704b5befc8e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_b8fda619-cdde-4dff-a219-58fd69805555" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_7a928ef2-711b-43cf-9e1e-704b5befc8e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_3bacbe52-4736-49fb-81d3-e8a8b99128c3" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_7a928ef2-711b-43cf-9e1e-704b5befc8e8" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_3bacbe52-4736-49fb-81d3-e8a8b99128c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_36b0ae1e-7a18-42cc-90f4-1b5a967d31cb" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_fee5ad7e-0d8a-42b3-9a58-f9ce13ae5fb9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_36b0ae1e-7a18-42cc-90f4-1b5a967d31cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_e6fe0f81-463d-4ae9-814a-d065e30a2dde" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_fee5ad7e-0d8a-42b3-9a58-f9ce13ae5fb9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_e6fe0f81-463d-4ae9-814a-d065e30a2dde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_00cadc63-aff8-4027-a694-98ea28464328" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_fee5ad7e-0d8a-42b3-9a58-f9ce13ae5fb9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_00cadc63-aff8-4027-a694-98ea28464328" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_48e731e2-b8cd-441c-8f8d-a796d16d52cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_00cadc63-aff8-4027-a694-98ea28464328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_48e731e2-b8cd-441c-8f8d-a796d16d52cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityFairValue_c64102fd-2b2f-4e2f-b452-b26582d0f18a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_00cadc63-aff8-4027-a694-98ea28464328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityFairValue_c64102fd-2b2f-4e2f-b452-b26582d0f18a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_d399feec-9404-4821-a8ba-c60510dc62b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_00cadc63-aff8-4027-a694-98ea28464328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_d399feec-9404-4821-a8ba-c60510dc62b3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment_18af4076-ec62-4cda-8429-96d5c72229f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_00cadc63-aff8-4027-a694-98ea28464328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment_18af4076-ec62-4cda-8429-96d5c72229f8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_8adf3388-6442-4dd4-8d76-6ca5dbd27d23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_2ac69101-c486-46a8-b413-80eef93f892d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_8bc0b49f-8bb1-4ff6-9650-190456357326" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_2ac69101-c486-46a8-b413-80eef93f892d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_8bc0b49f-8bb1-4ff6-9650-190456357326" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e1106788-2da8-4467-8f57-94526d91f2d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_8bc0b49f-8bb1-4ff6-9650-190456357326" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e1106788-2da8-4467-8f57-94526d91f2d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_e1106788-2da8-4467-8f57-94526d91f2d2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e1106788-2da8-4467-8f57-94526d91f2d2" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_e1106788-2da8-4467-8f57-94526d91f2d2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2fb3f5e3-5b75-45ed-b166-3d0080978bd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e1106788-2da8-4467-8f57-94526d91f2d2" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2fb3f5e3-5b75-45ed-b166-3d0080978bd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_99e42f20-8081-4af8-9ec0-7c795840b02e" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_HighPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2fb3f5e3-5b75-45ed-b166-3d0080978bd3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_99e42f20-8081-4af8-9ec0-7c795840b02e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_08d721b1-4fe7-4804-a811-4b038b5ad41b" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2fb3f5e3-5b75-45ed-b166-3d0080978bd3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_08d721b1-4fe7-4804-a811-4b038b5ad41b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_5af7ea58-f031-4aee-bebc-6cf99d91e4bf" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2fb3f5e3-5b75-45ed-b166-3d0080978bd3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_5af7ea58-f031-4aee-bebc-6cf99d91e4bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_a78075c2-8474-4b6f-add8-fecc7f50fced" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_8bc0b49f-8bb1-4ff6-9650-190456357326" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_a78075c2-8474-4b6f-add8-fecc7f50fced" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_a78075c2-8474-4b6f-add8-fecc7f50fced_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_a78075c2-8474-4b6f-add8-fecc7f50fced" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_a78075c2-8474-4b6f-add8-fecc7f50fced_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d42c1948-4d28-4736-8338-e19b17c2d0f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_a78075c2-8474-4b6f-add8-fecc7f50fced" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d42c1948-4d28-4736-8338-e19b17c2d0f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_c44f92c3-673f-427a-a305-cd7875a8868a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d42c1948-4d28-4736-8338-e19b17c2d0f9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_c44f92c3-673f-427a-a305-cd7875a8868a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_abe51484-d7f2-453f-9e80-942867762edc" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d42c1948-4d28-4736-8338-e19b17c2d0f9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_abe51484-d7f2-453f-9e80-942867762edc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_5e2f34e5-a593-4c43-8ef5-03ced2c8d02c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_2ac69101-c486-46a8-b413-80eef93f892d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_5e2f34e5-a593-4c43-8ef5-03ced2c8d02c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_4102d691-e890-46ee-87f7-ac2f78ad5d39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_2ac69101-c486-46a8-b413-80eef93f892d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_4102d691-e890-46ee-87f7-ac2f78ad5d39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_73ed6199-5107-4d73-9222-c2d53cc821fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_2ac69101-c486-46a8-b413-80eef93f892d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_73ed6199-5107-4d73-9222-c2d53cc821fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_9ed4fdaf-0db6-482c-89a8-20ee0b44b2c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_2ac69101-c486-46a8-b413-80eef93f892d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_9ed4fdaf-0db6-482c-89a8-20ee0b44b2c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_5fc1df50-6a7d-47fb-a7b5-279efb1a61d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_5fc1df50-6a7d-47fb-a7b5-279efb1a61d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1f417fd0-e90a-4d60-abfc-9f31714234d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_5fc1df50-6a7d-47fb-a7b5-279efb1a61d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1f417fd0-e90a-4d60-abfc-9f31714234d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1f417fd0-e90a-4d60-abfc-9f31714234d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1f417fd0-e90a-4d60-abfc-9f31714234d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1f417fd0-e90a-4d60-abfc-9f31714234d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_0ccb73ba-7774-4e22-872e-10022fa87bc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1f417fd0-e90a-4d60-abfc-9f31714234d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_0ccb73ba-7774-4e22-872e-10022fa87bc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_d2e1843e-4aa3-4eaf-ae71-ecc8e5f32b08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_0ccb73ba-7774-4e22-872e-10022fa87bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_d2e1843e-4aa3-4eaf-ae71-ecc8e5f32b08" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_1f30a49b-a15c-4448-89a7-a36db80e50ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_1f30a49b-a15c-4448-89a7-a36db80e50ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_a50c3096-41b0-457a-ba78-8db3018c8249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_a50c3096-41b0-457a-ba78-8db3018c8249" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_3e2dfa9d-fd6e-4589-aab2-ee3b248f12c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_3e2dfa9d-fd6e-4589-aab2-ee3b248f12c4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_684e2736-40cd-4b2d-8677-03989842e8f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_684e2736-40cd-4b2d-8677-03989842e8f4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_69327ce3-ad19-4eff-a326-f00473f24f86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_69327ce3-ad19-4eff-a326-f00473f24f86" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7fa75b5a-083d-4aa8-9e40-c873df5be374" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_ac9b3bcb-4308-4ac7-8316-93ada07f85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7fa75b5a-083d-4aa8-9e40-c873df5be374" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_295a02c4-5c36-4efe-891e-3e0c8495ec0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_faa23f27-61da-4aba-8909-45c3e7f9b315" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_295a02c4-5c36-4efe-891e-3e0c8495ec0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_faa23f27-61da-4aba-8909-45c3e7f9b315" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7564a0e8-6f0b-4350-8f07-700932c189ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_faa23f27-61da-4aba-8909-45c3e7f9b315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7564a0e8-6f0b-4350-8f07-700932c189ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_7564a0e8-6f0b-4350-8f07-700932c189ac_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7564a0e8-6f0b-4350-8f07-700932c189ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_7564a0e8-6f0b-4350-8f07-700932c189ac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_a49e43bf-c1be-4140-8c47-df852f47c3fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7564a0e8-6f0b-4350-8f07-700932c189ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_a49e43bf-c1be-4140-8c47-df852f47c3fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_bfc4a7e8-a775-4d9e-ae10-fb7131b64611" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_a49e43bf-c1be-4140-8c47-df852f47c3fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_bfc4a7e8-a775-4d9e-ae10-fb7131b64611" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_f5525fcc-ca7c-4043-b0a8-9701aeb9969b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_295a02c4-5c36-4efe-891e-3e0c8495ec0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_f5525fcc-ca7c-4043-b0a8-9701aeb9969b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_777c09a3-802a-4626-b301-02f5fe167733" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_f5525fcc-ca7c-4043-b0a8-9701aeb9969b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_777c09a3-802a-4626-b301-02f5fe167733" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_3296809a-d5fb-48a3-9eab-c67b7682d092" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_f5525fcc-ca7c-4043-b0a8-9701aeb9969b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_3296809a-d5fb-48a3-9eab-c67b7682d092" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_b8e195e1-e14f-4097-af23-8a0edfafbf4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_f5525fcc-ca7c-4043-b0a8-9701aeb9969b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_b8e195e1-e14f-4097-af23-8a0edfafbf4d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_dd229a5f-1f5a-4015-9ee2-bacb5791859a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_f5525fcc-ca7c-4043-b0a8-9701aeb9969b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_dd229a5f-1f5a-4015-9ee2-bacb5791859a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_295a02c4-5c36-4efe-891e-3e0c8495ec0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_08410f91-864b-4972-a267-12a998bfa177" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_08410f91-864b-4972-a267-12a998bfa177" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_a515e27d-56c8-4dae-8db0-52b04f6fdba9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_a515e27d-56c8-4dae-8db0-52b04f6fdba9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_25b91069-c426-4f58-bf75-768f293de3dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_25b91069-c426-4f58-bf75-768f293de3dd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_1d6857e2-73b6-4c99-97ad-4000d59c2514" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_1d6857e2-73b6-4c99-97ad-4000d59c2514" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_4b925501-b387-4a2c-bd6f-a87a6928fdcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_5fa93247-ffdb-42e6-8eb0-2f2e8d303e6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_4b925501-b387-4a2c-bd6f-a87a6928fdcb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_abeb0b3e-3ab8-4aa3-87f4-6d67eef0a41e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_abeb0b3e-3ab8-4aa3-87f4-6d67eef0a41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_4f47183f-e959-4457-89bc-3807bad89159" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_4f47183f-e959-4457-89bc-3807bad89159" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_4f47183f-e959-4457-89bc-3807bad89159_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_4f47183f-e959-4457-89bc-3807bad89159" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_4f47183f-e959-4457-89bc-3807bad89159_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_b53f6faa-4567-4025-a831-b910b8fbb8af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_4f47183f-e959-4457-89bc-3807bad89159" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_b53f6faa-4567-4025-a831-b910b8fbb8af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_185e6f1e-40b8-4d61-8b2c-6cb237ce858f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_b53f6faa-4567-4025-a831-b910b8fbb8af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_185e6f1e-40b8-4d61-8b2c-6cb237ce858f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_b278e0e5-56e3-43eb-8075-b7d3338d3cd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_185e6f1e-40b8-4d61-8b2c-6cb237ce858f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_b278e0e5-56e3-43eb-8075-b7d3338d3cd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f4ed5f80-c44c-4ce1-bb8c-4ccbd662a928" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_185e6f1e-40b8-4d61-8b2c-6cb237ce858f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f4ed5f80-c44c-4ce1-bb8c-4ccbd662a928" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_227fc42b-d819-47cd-9e5f-1754ccc76bd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_227fc42b-d819-47cd-9e5f-1754ccc76bd3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_227fc42b-d819-47cd-9e5f-1754ccc76bd3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_227fc42b-d819-47cd-9e5f-1754ccc76bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_227fc42b-d819-47cd-9e5f-1754ccc76bd3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8e8432aa-adb8-45be-abe6-e9ddc70c5f08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_227fc42b-d819-47cd-9e5f-1754ccc76bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8e8432aa-adb8-45be-abe6-e9ddc70c5f08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_163b7e56-f867-4b4c-9511-1a7da8e59649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8e8432aa-adb8-45be-abe6-e9ddc70c5f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_163b7e56-f867-4b4c-9511-1a7da8e59649" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_f20a5f6b-9120-48d4-9053-5afb955100f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8e8432aa-adb8-45be-abe6-e9ddc70c5f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_f20a5f6b-9120-48d4-9053-5afb955100f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6384ec73-0b44-4249-8052-81e8aa123dee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6384ec73-0b44-4249-8052-81e8aa123dee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6384ec73-0b44-4249-8052-81e8aa123dee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6384ec73-0b44-4249-8052-81e8aa123dee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6384ec73-0b44-4249-8052-81e8aa123dee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6384ec73-0b44-4249-8052-81e8aa123dee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_bfdf726f-4793-4051-8c77-0d63ffa9e3d2" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_bfdf726f-4793-4051-8c77-0d63ffa9e3d2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanAMember_caea78f7-f4d2-4229-a551-63ff062091f0" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanAMember_caea78f7-f4d2-4229-a551-63ff062091f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_26a809e8-820a-40b8-a02e-cca7e3112a20" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_26a809e8-820a-40b8-a02e-cca7e3112a20" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_2d4a0711-0d22-4ff3-b1e9-2307b26bf060" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_2d4a0711-0d22-4ff3-b1e9-2307b26bf060" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_9747420f-62ad-41a7-bcb6-105c2e822851" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_9747420f-62ad-41a7-bcb6-105c2e822851" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_62cdef61-009e-421f-92ab-5deb5af76287" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_62cdef61-009e-421f-92ab-5deb5af76287" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_841138d2-1268-4a2e-a2f0-5bd1549219ed" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_27e0d75e-2c8c-48a0-a850-797acfc05672" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_841138d2-1268-4a2e-a2f0-5bd1549219ed" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d3c494d8-f761-4fc8-b1cd-235be7efe2dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d3c494d8-f761-4fc8-b1cd-235be7efe2dd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d3c494d8-f761-4fc8-b1cd-235be7efe2dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d3c494d8-f761-4fc8-b1cd-235be7efe2dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d3c494d8-f761-4fc8-b1cd-235be7efe2dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f59c28d1-c09c-4c18-a95c-8e093e9a682b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d3c494d8-f761-4fc8-b1cd-235be7efe2dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f59c28d1-c09c-4c18-a95c-8e093e9a682b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_0bb6d94f-e715-4195-9bf3-6aead0bf1c6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f59c28d1-c09c-4c18-a95c-8e093e9a682b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_0bb6d94f-e715-4195-9bf3-6aead0bf1c6a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2a3759af-95f3-4e06-bdc8-f4d2f0722635" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_61590938-8bfa-40cf-bbf6-a6a31c018505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2a3759af-95f3-4e06-bdc8-f4d2f0722635" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2a3759af-95f3-4e06-bdc8-f4d2f0722635_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2a3759af-95f3-4e06-bdc8-f4d2f0722635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2a3759af-95f3-4e06-bdc8-f4d2f0722635_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1d683b0b-f1f8-451d-a2cc-1041a832f55a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2a3759af-95f3-4e06-bdc8-f4d2f0722635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1d683b0b-f1f8-451d-a2cc-1041a832f55a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_5aaeb7eb-7178-4f8c-aec5-383af7093639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1d683b0b-f1f8-451d-a2cc-1041a832f55a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_5aaeb7eb-7178-4f8c-aec5-383af7093639" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_e355f9e4-a8fa-421c-9f92-6bfc665a271d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1d683b0b-f1f8-451d-a2cc-1041a832f55a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_e355f9e4-a8fa-421c-9f92-6bfc665a271d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_b5246427-7690-4456-8cd9-8daae9138c7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1d683b0b-f1f8-451d-a2cc-1041a832f55a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_b5246427-7690-4456-8cd9-8daae9138c7d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_9e222ae3-ea65-4cdb-bc1b-a14c7e7db781" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_abeb0b3e-3ab8-4aa3-87f4-6d67eef0a41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_9e222ae3-ea65-4cdb-bc1b-a14c7e7db781" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_814c7f12-300d-40d0-89e4-a86252a2e876" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_abeb0b3e-3ab8-4aa3-87f4-6d67eef0a41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_814c7f12-300d-40d0-89e4-a86252a2e876" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_33e28637-3d0e-4c65-b204-17ecdfbe2f0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_81f9d4f2-3c40-4b7f-adaa-e6e905dc07bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_33e28637-3d0e-4c65-b204-17ecdfbe2f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_81f9d4f2-3c40-4b7f-adaa-e6e905dc07bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3ec4020c-211f-430b-9e16-96a59feb1f64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_81f9d4f2-3c40-4b7f-adaa-e6e905dc07bb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3ec4020c-211f-430b-9e16-96a59feb1f64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3ec4020c-211f-430b-9e16-96a59feb1f64_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3ec4020c-211f-430b-9e16-96a59feb1f64" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3ec4020c-211f-430b-9e16-96a59feb1f64_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_18e1f8ac-2adf-49c6-a436-62813928e8b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3ec4020c-211f-430b-9e16-96a59feb1f64" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_18e1f8ac-2adf-49c6-a436-62813928e8b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_e913fc48-9251-44f5-94e8-1f34d72dc8ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_18e1f8ac-2adf-49c6-a436-62813928e8b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_e913fc48-9251-44f5-94e8-1f34d72dc8ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_c1fe2769-fea4-408f-bc62-681dcb72fc01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_18e1f8ac-2adf-49c6-a436-62813928e8b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_c1fe2769-fea4-408f-bc62-681dcb72fc01" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_b4a324b8-6ed7-4747-849f-4c648ec607da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_81f9d4f2-3c40-4b7f-adaa-e6e905dc07bb" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_b4a324b8-6ed7-4747-849f-4c648ec607da" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_b4a324b8-6ed7-4747-849f-4c648ec607da_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_b4a324b8-6ed7-4747-849f-4c648ec607da" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_b4a324b8-6ed7-4747-849f-4c648ec607da_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2b71ae46-0628-45bf-8590-d622148eb3b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_b4a324b8-6ed7-4747-849f-4c648ec607da" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2b71ae46-0628-45bf-8590-d622148eb3b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_ec7f27f2-fd36-4f11-b457-db99324c4a29" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2b71ae46-0628-45bf-8590-d622148eb3b8" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_ec7f27f2-fd36-4f11-b457-db99324c4a29" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9a30d258-f766-4fe0-a014-fb5203df708b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_81f9d4f2-3c40-4b7f-adaa-e6e905dc07bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9a30d258-f766-4fe0-a014-fb5203df708b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9a30d258-f766-4fe0-a014-fb5203df708b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9a30d258-f766-4fe0-a014-fb5203df708b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9a30d258-f766-4fe0-a014-fb5203df708b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85183976-6825-42e2-8d06-05b9c00b0304" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9a30d258-f766-4fe0-a014-fb5203df708b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85183976-6825-42e2-8d06-05b9c00b0304" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_2aa6f692-3478-4c17-8ef8-0ff0369cc086" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85183976-6825-42e2-8d06-05b9c00b0304" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_2aa6f692-3478-4c17-8ef8-0ff0369cc086" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_44518af5-c1a7-40b6-8cec-6bb89fa029cd" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85183976-6825-42e2-8d06-05b9c00b0304" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_44518af5-c1a7-40b6-8cec-6bb89fa029cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_a77a9ce5-8386-42b2-9244-134791ac38f5" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_85183976-6825-42e2-8d06-05b9c00b0304" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_a77a9ce5-8386-42b2-9244-134791ac38f5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_67dd8047-163a-40d8-a2a5-7cf310f4f8cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_33e28637-3d0e-4c65-b204-17ecdfbe2f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_67dd8047-163a-40d8-a2a5-7cf310f4f8cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ac08e2fa-3bf2-4227-9ada-e57a56efbfff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ac08e2fa-3bf2-4227-9ada-e57a56efbfff" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0a82e1cc-151c-4fee-a9a8-82ff3a9a904e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ac08e2fa-3bf2-4227-9ada-e57a56efbfff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0a82e1cc-151c-4fee-a9a8-82ff3a9a904e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0a82e1cc-151c-4fee-a9a8-82ff3a9a904e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0a82e1cc-151c-4fee-a9a8-82ff3a9a904e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0a82e1cc-151c-4fee-a9a8-82ff3a9a904e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b71b8645-56fc-416a-933a-bc14b387d1da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0a82e1cc-151c-4fee-a9a8-82ff3a9a904e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b71b8645-56fc-416a-933a-bc14b387d1da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_f37493b3-a933-4531-a7df-a5e4f049ee43" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b71b8645-56fc-416a-933a-bc14b387d1da" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_f37493b3-a933-4531-a7df-a5e4f049ee43" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_09d187d1-0f8c-4210-8bc5-4308a57bbb17" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b71b8645-56fc-416a-933a-bc14b387d1da" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_09d187d1-0f8c-4210-8bc5-4308a57bbb17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_d7488292-3ca2-44ab-a709-922510be7709" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b71b8645-56fc-416a-933a-bc14b387d1da" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_d7488292-3ca2-44ab-a709-922510be7709" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f1b871f7-a1ee-41f9-ad69-d11ce31e507d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ac08e2fa-3bf2-4227-9ada-e57a56efbfff" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f1b871f7-a1ee-41f9-ad69-d11ce31e507d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_f1b871f7-a1ee-41f9-ad69-d11ce31e507d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f1b871f7-a1ee-41f9-ad69-d11ce31e507d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_f1b871f7-a1ee-41f9-ad69-d11ce31e507d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7ef97bcb-2d94-428d-86d5-117561b5fe50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f1b871f7-a1ee-41f9-ad69-d11ce31e507d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7ef97bcb-2d94-428d-86d5-117561b5fe50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_2bf55044-3208-4c53-ba2d-3e58572f78dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7ef97bcb-2d94-428d-86d5-117561b5fe50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_2bf55044-3208-4c53-ba2d-3e58572f78dc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_ac09add1-05af-4fc8-bbd4-fca65aa9401b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_ac09add1-05af-4fc8-bbd4-fca65aa9401b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelTaxesAndPurses_c3355c2d-75f7-48ed-91d7-a1e533b00de9" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelTaxesAndPurses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelTaxesAndPurses_c3355c2d-75f7-48ed-91d7-a1e533b00de9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingTaxes_6c0a4214-96be-43fb-b47d-79fb926c4258" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingTaxes_6c0a4214-96be-43fb-b47d-79fb926c4258" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_623f869e-861a-4d04-8fc9-3c6c6118b2bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_623f869e-861a-4d04-8fc9-3c6c6118b2bc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_b4f5b190-6aa0-49e4-822e-36d0afd41cda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_b4f5b190-6aa0-49e4-822e-36d0afd41cda" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_2a1ff91e-219e-4f10-b966-1fd01ba79790" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_ContentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_2a1ff91e-219e-4f10-b966-1fd01ba79790" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_f573aaee-2b78-4c2e-a7bf-2da837056e2c" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_f573aaee-2b78-4c2e-a7bf-2da837056e2c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations_af9ee19f-2f29-46c9-acef-d5cf1053c7a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations_af9ee19f-2f29-46c9-acef-d5cf1053c7a2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquipmentAndTechnologyExpense_3842c93c-6857-464f-80c6-62df0c248e94" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_EquipmentAndTechnologyExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquipmentAndTechnologyExpense_3842c93c-6857-464f-80c6-62df0c248e94" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_FoodAndBeverageExpense_7b56ce3b-a1d3-44d3-861e-de52741c866d" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_FoodAndBeverageExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_FoodAndBeverageExpense_7b56ce3b-a1d3-44d3-861e-de52741c866d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_83e3c7f7-0a23-456a-84b9-c6ef870bb4dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_83e3c7f7-0a23-456a-84b9-c6ef870bb4dc" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_53b7674b-fa2f-4874-9334-bf4780e805c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_53b7674b-fa2f-4874-9334-bf4780e805c8" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_78e03edc-3cf7-4c28-ade4-6ceb9ab9f02e" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_78e03edc-3cf7-4c28-ade4-6ceb9ab9f02e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_977e4847-c4a7-44f1-b230-d60170be3bad" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_41eb0cf1-6b46-4ddb-a599-6a472e183757" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_977e4847-c4a7-44f1-b230-d60170be3bad" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_4b8b1d47-68c6-4298-b197-732d6674dfb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_4b8b1d47-68c6-4298-b197-732d6674dfb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_45f46922-78df-4109-b627-05b469b2bd47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_4b8b1d47-68c6-4298-b197-732d6674dfb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_45f46922-78df-4109-b627-05b469b2bd47" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_45f46922-78df-4109-b627-05b469b2bd47_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_45f46922-78df-4109-b627-05b469b2bd47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_45f46922-78df-4109-b627-05b469b2bd47_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5be6a5be-33c9-47ff-ac08-6755a49e5739" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_45f46922-78df-4109-b627-05b469b2bd47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5be6a5be-33c9-47ff-ac08-6755a49e5739" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_2066ac19-19aa-4ee2-bc12-91015fffa376" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5be6a5be-33c9-47ff-ac08-6755a49e5739" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_2066ac19-19aa-4ee2-bc12-91015fffa376" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_31029e57-2e31-4a9d-974e-4ff61c49500b" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5be6a5be-33c9-47ff-ac08-6755a49e5739" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_31029e57-2e31-4a9d-974e-4ff61c49500b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_9a9280e2-31a8-4fd1-914b-38d685504e4b" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5be6a5be-33c9-47ff-ac08-6755a49e5739" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_9a9280e2-31a8-4fd1-914b-38d685504e4b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_568ab0a3-dcfe-4ad4-afa0-53c5a713645e" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5be6a5be-33c9-47ff-ac08-6755a49e5739" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_568ab0a3-dcfe-4ad4-afa0-53c5a713645e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3dbe8afa-97b8-410b-acf9-f2f6ad5eba29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_4b8b1d47-68c6-4298-b197-732d6674dfb8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3dbe8afa-97b8-410b-acf9-f2f6ad5eba29" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3dbe8afa-97b8-410b-acf9-f2f6ad5eba29_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3dbe8afa-97b8-410b-acf9-f2f6ad5eba29" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3dbe8afa-97b8-410b-acf9-f2f6ad5eba29_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_43f22e40-3e12-4b86-b20b-b3018259e1b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3dbe8afa-97b8-410b-acf9-f2f6ad5eba29" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_43f22e40-3e12-4b86-b20b-b3018259e1b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_75e47f23-19c6-4d5b-9bdc-8c568969bf28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_43f22e40-3e12-4b86-b20b-b3018259e1b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_75e47f23-19c6-4d5b-9bdc-8c568969bf28" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_688e14b4-8dbc-4b90-96eb-b87009728cc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_43f22e40-3e12-4b86-b20b-b3018259e1b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_688e14b4-8dbc-4b90-96eb-b87009728cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_41ee0ae9-6d4d-4eac-99c3-c6904eb0a65d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_41ee0ae9-6d4d-4eac-99c3-c6904eb0a65d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_007a85fe-24e8-4740-842f-95cef5e92204" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_007a85fe-24e8-4740-842f-95cef5e92204" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_5f2fd918-34fd-4c2c-941b-4e6ca772806e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_5f2fd918-34fd-4c2c-941b-4e6ca772806e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_516b0e87-950e-4417-aabe-51a56c33541f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_516b0e87-950e-4417-aabe-51a56c33541f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_2c7196c9-955f-4a92-a367-d20e5694bd64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_2c7196c9-955f-4a92-a367-d20e5694bd64" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_df199167-dffd-426b-8244-16131fb7167b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_df199167-dffd-426b-8244-16131fb7167b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_7b86e7c4-559c-4bb5-b240-65b103bfabdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_7b86e7c4-559c-4bb5-b240-65b103bfabdf" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_2a93f1f2-7851-4cb8-b5ad-eb30213ca2ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_2a93f1f2-7851-4cb8-b5ad-eb30213ca2ce" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_38156df2-f86d-4c3f-9edb-8bcfc450595a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_OtherExpensesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_38156df2-f86d-4c3f-9edb-8bcfc450595a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_6ec70522-af2c-4855-8542-649d4c100a04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_6ec70522-af2c-4855-8542-649d4c100a04" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_3ddb5e18-6562-47ad-ac31-231e34522834" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_3ddb5e18-6562-47ad-ac31-231e34522834" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_e50a4d1d-93b2-460d-a70f-eaa9a6ad262f" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_e50a4d1d-93b2-460d-a70f-eaa9a6ad262f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LegalReservesAndTransactionCosts_a24e4611-377e-42f0-b272-08cf6ab24d41" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LegalReservesAndTransactionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LegalReservesAndTransactionCosts_a24e4611-377e-42f0-b272-08cf6ab24d41" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherChargesIncomeAndRecoveriesNet_7605109b-7e96-4f38-b2d7-21a23c57ab4b" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_OtherChargesIncomeAndRecoveriesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherChargesIncomeAndRecoveriesNet_7605109b-7e96-4f38-b2d7-21a23c57ab4b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustmentsToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_3f3ef540-f22c-4f9e-a906-1e7daae4f665" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AdjustmentsToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustmentsToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_3f3ef540-f22c-4f9e-a906-1e7daae4f665" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_6adeb9e8-eab9-436e-b1e8-e87a28240994" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_7a8e29f0-0051-4048-afad-c53d7f22026e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_6adeb9e8-eab9-436e-b1e8-e87a28240994" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_784b0487-5ac4-4a1c-8126-32e36c0afed5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_e80909d5-f7ca-4b43-84e6-76e7609cc8bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_784b0487-5ac4-4a1c-8126-32e36c0afed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_e80909d5-f7ca-4b43-84e6-76e7609cc8bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0251c81f-a38b-497b-ac74-4bbca8bafc89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_e80909d5-f7ca-4b43-84e6-76e7609cc8bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0251c81f-a38b-497b-ac74-4bbca8bafc89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0251c81f-a38b-497b-ac74-4bbca8bafc89_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0251c81f-a38b-497b-ac74-4bbca8bafc89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0251c81f-a38b-497b-ac74-4bbca8bafc89_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_06800fc2-b02a-4514-9d4a-9264480384cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0251c81f-a38b-497b-ac74-4bbca8bafc89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_06800fc2-b02a-4514-9d4a-9264480384cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a874ce9f-8c54-4f64-ab1f-02f2533b98f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_06800fc2-b02a-4514-9d4a-9264480384cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a874ce9f-8c54-4f64-ab1f-02f2533b98f6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_2914de18-88ea-41a0-b446-6459acd0daf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_06800fc2-b02a-4514-9d4a-9264480384cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_2914de18-88ea-41a0-b446-6459acd0daf4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ef2c27fb-5830-45cf-9d84-3bf4735d54c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_e80909d5-f7ca-4b43-84e6-76e7609cc8bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ef2c27fb-5830-45cf-9d84-3bf4735d54c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ef2c27fb-5830-45cf-9d84-3bf4735d54c0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ef2c27fb-5830-45cf-9d84-3bf4735d54c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ef2c27fb-5830-45cf-9d84-3bf4735d54c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_23fb71d0-0eff-47ca-8cfe-52c33a4bb5f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ef2c27fb-5830-45cf-9d84-3bf4735d54c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_23fb71d0-0eff-47ca-8cfe-52c33a4bb5f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_300f9d82-188e-4cc5-a7e3-39f78f43b01a" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_23fb71d0-0eff-47ca-8cfe-52c33a4bb5f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_300f9d82-188e-4cc5-a7e3-39f78f43b01a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_4d02bd45-f746-4894-9f8a-0a4b0cf54ef3" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_23fb71d0-0eff-47ca-8cfe-52c33a4bb5f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_4d02bd45-f746-4894-9f8a-0a4b0cf54ef3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_56bf4e5e-47c3-4952-8530-922e49065820" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_23fb71d0-0eff-47ca-8cfe-52c33a4bb5f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_56bf4e5e-47c3-4952-8530-922e49065820" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_cdd950e0-c199-4edb-9a6f-448b3bffa947" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_784b0487-5ac4-4a1c-8126-32e36c0afed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_cdd950e0-c199-4edb-9a6f-448b3bffa947" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions_04020903-e40e-495c-a6d3-2a24916d63c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_784b0487-5ac4-4a1c-8126-32e36c0afed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions_04020903-e40e-495c-a6d3-2a24916d63c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20250930.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_424fdcac-bd94-4030-ae4f-5a0052786260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2743d11c-5b40-4588-ba69-193e1ac2af72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_424fdcac-bd94-4030-ae4f-5a0052786260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2743d11c-5b40-4588-ba69-193e1ac2af72" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0058e8ff-9370-4be5-a91a-c623be96fcca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2743d11c-5b40-4588-ba69-193e1ac2af72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0058e8ff-9370-4be5-a91a-c623be96fcca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0058e8ff-9370-4be5-a91a-c623be96fcca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0058e8ff-9370-4be5-a91a-c623be96fcca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0058e8ff-9370-4be5-a91a-c623be96fcca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_fec735f6-fc97-4df0-b065-e4734e129c93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0058e8ff-9370-4be5-a91a-c623be96fcca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_fec735f6-fc97-4df0-b065-e4734e129c93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_bf82376d-53bd-40f3-95e9-9c555ac2a75c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_fec735f6-fc97-4df0-b065-e4734e129c93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_bf82376d-53bd-40f3-95e9-9c555ac2a75c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_5263d429-6d8e-4ffc-ba67-670d6b86846a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_424fdcac-bd94-4030-ae4f-5a0052786260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_5263d429-6d8e-4ffc-ba67-670d6b86846a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
