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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2024 Workiva-->
<!--r:30c505a4-199f-468f-8eb5-5cb49cff6f1b,g:f5aa8e20-1b56-438b-a0e0-d4f0ce9e2597-->
<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-20240331.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_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9c60c2c0-1db5-4c0c-bcbb-b2bd9c4f3c89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9c60c2c0-1db5-4c0c-bcbb-b2bd9c4f3c89" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ecb35e07-9840-47ca-9198-786d6f775953" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9c60c2c0-1db5-4c0c-bcbb-b2bd9c4f3c89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ecb35e07-9840-47ca-9198-786d6f775953" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ecb35e07-9840-47ca-9198-786d6f775953_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ecb35e07-9840-47ca-9198-786d6f775953" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ecb35e07-9840-47ca-9198-786d6f775953_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3460c7db-bdea-480b-96f6-73453ece54c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ecb35e07-9840-47ca-9198-786d6f775953" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3460c7db-bdea-480b-96f6-73453ece54c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_d60e8f0e-2e6e-4cc1-bc36-7c045ad533a2" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3460c7db-bdea-480b-96f6-73453ece54c7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_d60e8f0e-2e6e-4cc1-bc36-7c045ad533a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7ebcdb47-e338-43b1-8fd3-d0a027680695" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3460c7db-bdea-480b-96f6-73453ece54c7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7ebcdb47-e338-43b1-8fd3-d0a027680695" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_f39c4373-4f4f-4857-9dff-ef2be5646daf" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3460c7db-bdea-480b-96f6-73453ece54c7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_f39c4373-4f4f-4857-9dff-ef2be5646daf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_370b568a-9525-4281-83ea-727e97bfbe57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3460c7db-bdea-480b-96f6-73453ece54c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_370b568a-9525-4281-83ea-727e97bfbe57" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_d2f5de25-885b-40b5-afc7-83b25bd12914" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_d2f5de25-885b-40b5-afc7-83b25bd12914" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_387f4153-2bee-41a7-aa9f-c105daed4767" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_d2f5de25-885b-40b5-afc7-83b25bd12914" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_387f4153-2bee-41a7-aa9f-c105daed4767" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_324c1f37-361d-4759-8c17-68b4d86cb95c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_324c1f37-361d-4759-8c17-68b4d86cb95c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_c04f1dc8-451c-4ae9-87c1-10f8d85f2d3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_324c1f37-361d-4759-8c17-68b4d86cb95c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_c04f1dc8-451c-4ae9-87c1-10f8d85f2d3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_c22ee3e0-f08e-4381-8f28-7acd54ed9e7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_324c1f37-361d-4759-8c17-68b4d86cb95c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_c22ee3e0-f08e-4381-8f28-7acd54ed9e7c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_16c9d5c0-36cf-4315-80b2-b390820c3357" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_Transactionexpensenet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_324c1f37-361d-4759-8c17-68b4d86cb95c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_16c9d5c0-36cf-4315-80b2-b390820c3357" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_fbb7e756-1f34-401b-845c-0cdcf20bd602" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_324c1f37-361d-4759-8c17-68b4d86cb95c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_fbb7e756-1f34-401b-845c-0cdcf20bd602" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_2253151d-d00f-47a2-8030-0f4690a1223e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_2253151d-d00f-47a2-8030-0f4690a1223e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_e1a2fac4-f07b-461b-a7bf-724b9a9af576" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_e1a2fac4-f07b-461b-a7bf-724b9a9af576" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_490e57bc-ccd1-4145-b411-fa0666d0985c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_490e57bc-ccd1-4145-b411-fa0666d0985c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_6c42bfe6-345b-4b30-b8c0-0abda0124ca8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_6c42bfe6-345b-4b30-b8c0-0abda0124ca8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_06e62a31-3187-44bc-97e6-075113f65cb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_06e62a31-3187-44bc-97e6-075113f65cb5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_e11a1c78-513d-47ad-a236-2bc39a917271" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_24426e8d-a04e-44d6-b026-ba3cc9399515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_e11a1c78-513d-47ad-a236-2bc39a917271" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_6e3e9770-cfdc-4998-a3aa-aabb4e51ca97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_6e3e9770-cfdc-4998-a3aa-aabb4e51ca97" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_1156b3c8-d639-4d12-b71a-4a3d0eca4d1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_1156b3c8-d639-4d12-b71a-4a3d0eca4d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_9454f375-1fb7-46a5-b78f-d25bf0270309" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_9454f375-1fb7-46a5-b78f-d25bf0270309" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_cabe0ea9-ed1c-47cf-bcb9-af7248d6021d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_cabe0ea9-ed1c-47cf-bcb9-af7248d6021d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_a88556d7-6349-475f-8742-0b526141a8ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_cabe0ea9-ed1c-47cf-bcb9-af7248d6021d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_a88556d7-6349-475f-8742-0b526141a8ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_d3995d05-7765-4fac-9be6-099142eaec77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_cabe0ea9-ed1c-47cf-bcb9-af7248d6021d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_d3995d05-7765-4fac-9be6-099142eaec77" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_786e2b20-0ae3-4e39-8482-0c3c4ecceefd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c412633d-88e6-4521-b031-8a6f636a87d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_786e2b20-0ae3-4e39-8482-0c3c4ecceefd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_13f33e21-3e90-4dfe-86d8-2617e2fa5320" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_786e2b20-0ae3-4e39-8482-0c3c4ecceefd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_13f33e21-3e90-4dfe-86d8-2617e2fa5320" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_e5362806-e456-4991-82cd-152b258cd0fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_786e2b20-0ae3-4e39-8482-0c3c4ecceefd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_e5362806-e456-4991-82cd-152b258cd0fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_375441c9-b2c6-4abe-95e1-dae0c60aff80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_69839b9e-a91e-4bdb-810b-172dbab53982" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_375441c9-b2c6-4abe-95e1-dae0c60aff80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_69839b9e-a91e-4bdb-810b-172dbab53982" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a76cacf1-34bb-46a4-9233-e14b18743925" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_69839b9e-a91e-4bdb-810b-172dbab53982" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a76cacf1-34bb-46a4-9233-e14b18743925" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a76cacf1-34bb-46a4-9233-e14b18743925_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a76cacf1-34bb-46a4-9233-e14b18743925" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a76cacf1-34bb-46a4-9233-e14b18743925_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0eac6e67-3e79-48c9-ae18-d3c7a3b62af7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a76cacf1-34bb-46a4-9233-e14b18743925" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0eac6e67-3e79-48c9-ae18-d3c7a3b62af7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_58161661-ef6d-4f4e-9fff-7350781af7d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0eac6e67-3e79-48c9-ae18-d3c7a3b62af7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_58161661-ef6d-4f4e-9fff-7350781af7d2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_1378e8bb-1778-4139-aa0c-489a01825b40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0eac6e67-3e79-48c9-ae18-d3c7a3b62af7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_1378e8bb-1778-4139-aa0c-489a01825b40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_c4728bb1-d51f-4acf-a348-02a5477ea7ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0eac6e67-3e79-48c9-ae18-d3c7a3b62af7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_c4728bb1-d51f-4acf-a348-02a5477ea7ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_375441c9-b2c6-4abe-95e1-dae0c60aff80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_c8c55693-e59b-42d2-8e05-617075a8ed62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_c8c55693-e59b-42d2-8e05-617075a8ed62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_b0840ed6-4429-457e-8b94-d5bb1d009397" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_b0840ed6-4429-457e-8b94-d5bb1d009397" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_97613e4c-1ca7-4bdd-8c44-5d9f8ccb952e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_97613e4c-1ca7-4bdd-8c44-5d9f8ccb952e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_30928b68-8aa7-4994-ad2e-e5479bbc94dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_30928b68-8aa7-4994-ad2e-e5479bbc94dc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_250c711e-8b5b-4e9a-9113-ebb382076d00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_250c711e-8b5b-4e9a-9113-ebb382076d00" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_06f975f8-c5fa-4e98-9cde-4d4e8a6aad37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_06f975f8-c5fa-4e98-9cde-4d4e8a6aad37" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_cdde6e3d-203a-4126-9db5-6375ac661eab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_cdde6e3d-203a-4126-9db5-6375ac661eab" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_097e9c93-889a-468a-9bbd-de389f0771e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_097e9c93-889a-468a-9bbd-de389f0771e3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_29e34a38-3587-4a15-bf92-fd3c8dfe6811" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_29e34a38-3587-4a15-bf92-fd3c8dfe6811" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_7f20d27d-8995-4ad3-a974-748d2a43c54f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_e0af9d56-7065-4ad6-b51c-94293f51a1aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_7f20d27d-8995-4ad3-a974-748d2a43c54f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_eb6bb9a9-f47e-41b0-8235-11e7b3d3bdae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_f73e6963-9ce9-4d2c-9083-4b0fddcefd7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AcquisitionsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#AcquisitionsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AcquisitionsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_341670e4-cfbd-4152-85e9-00ed77e372dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_341670e4-cfbd-4152-85e9-00ed77e372dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e4d5a2a-9459-4659-b97b-5bf9d82af78b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_341670e4-cfbd-4152-85e9-00ed77e372dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e4d5a2a-9459-4659-b97b-5bf9d82af78b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_7e4d5a2a-9459-4659-b97b-5bf9d82af78b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e4d5a2a-9459-4659-b97b-5bf9d82af78b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_7e4d5a2a-9459-4659-b97b-5bf9d82af78b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0c745520-96a4-4f23-8307-4330bdcbcbc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e4d5a2a-9459-4659-b97b-5bf9d82af78b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0c745520-96a4-4f23-8307-4330bdcbcbc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExactaSystemsMember_fdca3fd4-ff47-4903-a2b7-75f821f48062" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ExactaSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0c745520-96a4-4f23-8307-4330bdcbcbc2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExactaSystemsMember_fdca3fd4-ff47-4903-a2b7-75f821f48062" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8ad03684-d25a-45b8-9ab9-620515d4c00a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_341670e4-cfbd-4152-85e9-00ed77e372dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8ad03684-d25a-45b8-9ab9-620515d4c00a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8ad03684-d25a-45b8-9ab9-620515d4c00a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8ad03684-d25a-45b8-9ab9-620515d4c00a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8ad03684-d25a-45b8-9ab9-620515d4c00a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a3a37945-1bb1-4aed-8ef3-901a792dd20c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8ad03684-d25a-45b8-9ab9-620515d4c00a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a3a37945-1bb1-4aed-8ef3-901a792dd20c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_db07c2cc-6677-4d73-98e1-bc91987edc79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a3a37945-1bb1-4aed-8ef3-901a792dd20c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_db07c2cc-6677-4d73-98e1-bc91987edc79" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_71171096-9518-4e2f-a75f-ee61d44705b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_341670e4-cfbd-4152-85e9-00ed77e372dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_71171096-9518-4e2f-a75f-ee61d44705b7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_71171096-9518-4e2f-a75f-ee61d44705b7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_71171096-9518-4e2f-a75f-ee61d44705b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_71171096-9518-4e2f-a75f-ee61d44705b7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ea94f44-fb2b-48e5-bb08-208c59a30ec3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_71171096-9518-4e2f-a75f-ee61d44705b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ea94f44-fb2b-48e5-bb08-208c59a30ec3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_04d6e546-3623-454d-ab89-4ab0672a298c" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ea94f44-fb2b-48e5-bb08-208c59a30ec3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_04d6e546-3623-454d-ab89-4ab0672a298c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_8921a4e0-8793-4e95-ad47-8fdbb45c6d9c" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ea94f44-fb2b-48e5-bb08-208c59a30ec3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_8921a4e0-8793-4e95-ad47-8fdbb45c6d9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_7f96b718-c359-4bf7-8f3a-e7bcb5de01d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_7f96b718-c359-4bf7-8f3a-e7bcb5de01d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_70360c18-fc80-431a-a86b-5b5bfd9ddd9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_70360c18-fc80-431a-a86b-5b5bfd9ddd9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_BusinessCombinationExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_3efb9ee9-8155-4cc7-9693-102ab884161d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_BusinessCombinationExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_BusinessCombinationExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_3efb9ee9-8155-4cc7-9693-102ab884161d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredDeferredPaymentTerm_d189d362-a2f3-427e-b9d5-f6c82e121602" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredDeferredPaymentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredDeferredPaymentTerm_d189d362-a2f3-427e-b9d5-f6c82e121602" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiability_32d3caea-2751-4f94-9b59-8d42c750281d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiability_32d3caea-2751-4f94-9b59-8d42c750281d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_b189107f-15db-4630-8962-5d4e518a7b6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_b189107f-15db-4630-8962-5d4e518a7b6c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_6b113bf0-37e9-49bc-96bb-bb14bb8bad8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_6469e7ba-6ade-4558-891b-3f8bf42069c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_6b113bf0-37e9-49bc-96bb-bb14bb8bad8f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_7fc6a2cb-e791-40bd-b5db-8d8e0e5875bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_f2df3829-b84f-48c3-b5fd-6b3dc7d4ee14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_7fc6a2cb-e791-40bd-b5db-8d8e0e5875bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_f2df3829-b84f-48c3-b5fd-6b3dc7d4ee14" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3748e1e6-f821-44f0-ae84-5be9687d2063" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_f2df3829-b84f-48c3-b5fd-6b3dc7d4ee14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3748e1e6-f821-44f0-ae84-5be9687d2063" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3748e1e6-f821-44f0-ae84-5be9687d2063_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3748e1e6-f821-44f0-ae84-5be9687d2063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3748e1e6-f821-44f0-ae84-5be9687d2063_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d684f4c4-790e-42ea-8634-73afd667d0b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3748e1e6-f821-44f0-ae84-5be9687d2063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d684f4c4-790e-42ea-8634-73afd667d0b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_bfc21a84-0be9-48cb-92b4-e1195e948691" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d684f4c4-790e-42ea-8634-73afd667d0b6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_bfc21a84-0be9-48cb-92b4-e1195e948691" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7112813d-0df4-4b02-ad7d-778263edc94f" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d684f4c4-790e-42ea-8634-73afd667d0b6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7112813d-0df4-4b02-ad7d-778263edc94f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_b0494e0c-8f13-44b1-9baf-a7b6b7d80d96" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d684f4c4-790e-42ea-8634-73afd667d0b6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_b0494e0c-8f13-44b1-9baf-a7b6b7d80d96" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_70b82854-3521-4ca2-8b70-d227cabe4c70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_f2df3829-b84f-48c3-b5fd-6b3dc7d4ee14" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_70b82854-3521-4ca2-8b70-d227cabe4c70" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_70b82854-3521-4ca2-8b70-d227cabe4c70_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_70b82854-3521-4ca2-8b70-d227cabe4c70" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_70b82854-3521-4ca2-8b70-d227cabe4c70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_b2019270-e683-4f29-98d3-f246af0c7097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_70b82854-3521-4ca2-8b70-d227cabe4c70" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_b2019270-e683-4f29-98d3-f246af0c7097" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_ff4a262f-3db9-4048-9c06-cef5fbc0a4b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_b2019270-e683-4f29-98d3-f246af0c7097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_ff4a262f-3db9-4048-9c06-cef5fbc0a4b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_60488a14-f630-483a-9267-59155df336fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_b2019270-e683-4f29-98d3-f246af0c7097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_60488a14-f630-483a-9267-59155df336fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_99c74d14-657f-4ad5-967e-152e129464c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_7fc6a2cb-e791-40bd-b5db-8d8e0e5875bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_99c74d14-657f-4ad5-967e-152e129464c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_390b475e-8e0e-4c17-96ce-d174daaade75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_99c74d14-657f-4ad5-967e-152e129464c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_390b475e-8e0e-4c17-96ce-d174daaade75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_3b287f90-1d52-4582-bb2c-ff422044190f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_99c74d14-657f-4ad5-967e-152e129464c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_3b287f90-1d52-4582-bb2c-ff422044190f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_638fc6ae-bec8-4b38-a08d-be50d3e9feb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_9693a1ac-ea2a-4ca4-9a17-dded12fe7c17" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_9693a1ac-ea2a-4ca4-9a17-dded12fe7c17" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5ac7ea86-e806-4444-9160-7815c5b829be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_9693a1ac-ea2a-4ca4-9a17-dded12fe7c17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5ac7ea86-e806-4444-9160-7815c5b829be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_5ac7ea86-e806-4444-9160-7815c5b829be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5ac7ea86-e806-4444-9160-7815c5b829be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_5ac7ea86-e806-4444-9160-7815c5b829be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_1dd7f9c6-1843-49f2-9a89-0e0bd87cc01a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5ac7ea86-e806-4444-9160-7815c5b829be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_1dd7f9c6-1843-49f2-9a89-0e0bd87cc01a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_60e143d9-49dd-4a9e-8174-b5fbc527c4a5" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_1dd7f9c6-1843-49f2-9a89-0e0bd87cc01a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_60e143d9-49dd-4a9e-8174-b5fbc527c4a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember_893b5940-e2aa-4b17-af25-43c698d9cdb5" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_1dd7f9c6-1843-49f2-9a89-0e0bd87cc01a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember_893b5940-e2aa-4b17-af25-43c698d9cdb5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_308d14a6-e3d2-4b23-99f9-23190751ddaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_9693a1ac-ea2a-4ca4-9a17-dded12fe7c17" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_308d14a6-e3d2-4b23-99f9-23190751ddaf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_308d14a6-e3d2-4b23-99f9-23190751ddaf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_308d14a6-e3d2-4b23-99f9-23190751ddaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_308d14a6-e3d2-4b23-99f9-23190751ddaf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_6c4c0ece-6a6c-4b2d-9534-c7530d78752a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_308d14a6-e3d2-4b23-99f9-23190751ddaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_6c4c0ece-6a6c-4b2d-9534-c7530d78752a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember_cb0ebd13-e73a-4cfe-8175-f523e024af24" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_6c4c0ece-6a6c-4b2d-9534-c7530d78752a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember_cb0ebd13-e73a-4cfe-8175-f523e024af24" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_751dafb2-a301-406f-85ee-c457d64a804b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_751dafb2-a301-406f-85ee-c457d64a804b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_17d55cb7-262d-4fe3-a5c1-780bae201912" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_17d55cb7-262d-4fe3-a5c1-780bae201912" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_13ac0f82-e32e-4ae7-b35b-ec81f3980694" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_13ac0f82-e32e-4ae7-b35b-ec81f3980694" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare_9fceb4f7-81b9-4e31-9eb6-d1d94693fc1f" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare_9fceb4f7-81b9-4e31-9eb6-d1d94693fc1f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodDiscountFromMarketPrice_ff0f316f-16f9-4d4c-873d-538ec8343b40" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodDiscountFromMarketPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodDiscountFromMarketPrice_ff0f316f-16f9-4d4c-873d-538ec8343b40" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_8a226b18-27a6-460a-82d9-a2e9bdbdc7f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_8a226b18-27a6-460a-82d9-a2e9bdbdc7f2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_7683a98b-be90-4d2e-aaef-45cdd5414e7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_7683a98b-be90-4d2e-aaef-45cdd5414e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_33a4cc37-18b7-474f-98d3-3a60fdf1e40c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_88e33ceb-f953-44a0-a834-effea77f3e8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_33a4cc37-18b7-474f-98d3-3a60fdf1e40c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_11b56e86-b2c4-40c8-ab00-f27af7d92d4d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_6926b345-dfb4-4ef7-9e3a-a9e5e15884cb" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_11b56e86-b2c4-40c8-ab00-f27af7d92d4d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_6926b345-dfb4-4ef7-9e3a-a9e5e15884cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_13605214-5bdf-4fa1-b1a2-736cd514b406" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_6926b345-dfb4-4ef7-9e3a-a9e5e15884cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_13605214-5bdf-4fa1-b1a2-736cd514b406" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_13605214-5bdf-4fa1-b1a2-736cd514b406_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_13605214-5bdf-4fa1-b1a2-736cd514b406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_13605214-5bdf-4fa1-b1a2-736cd514b406_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c042beff-f5bf-45a0-9616-67003dc3a439" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_13605214-5bdf-4fa1-b1a2-736cd514b406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c042beff-f5bf-45a0-9616-67003dc3a439" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_78d7d03b-0ec0-4415-ae98-c63547a58b85" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c042beff-f5bf-45a0-9616-67003dc3a439" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_78d7d03b-0ec0-4415-ae98-c63547a58b85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_195e5685-c2f3-445b-af6e-e318145a1bc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_11b56e86-b2c4-40c8-ab00-f27af7d92d4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_195e5685-c2f3-445b-af6e-e318145a1bc5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_1c677a8c-cdf8-4aaa-b011-0fa9239d61a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_11b56e86-b2c4-40c8-ab00-f27af7d92d4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_1c677a8c-cdf8-4aaa-b011-0fa9239d61a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_9a3898e1-cf03-456f-ae84-31dda771bd4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2b1b979-24b1-4613-8509-c15f5de0b790" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9a3898e1-cf03-456f-ae84-31dda771bd4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2b1b979-24b1-4613-8509-c15f5de0b790" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_61017b19-1a5e-4aa4-8520-91508fb0da29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2b1b979-24b1-4613-8509-c15f5de0b790" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_61017b19-1a5e-4aa4-8520-91508fb0da29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_61017b19-1a5e-4aa4-8520-91508fb0da29_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_61017b19-1a5e-4aa4-8520-91508fb0da29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_61017b19-1a5e-4aa4-8520-91508fb0da29_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_f476f729-1c6a-4696-9a40-ae1d26273dc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_61017b19-1a5e-4aa4-8520-91508fb0da29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_f476f729-1c6a-4696-9a40-ae1d26273dc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_03859560-c0f2-4534-8517-c9264c8d4461" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_f476f729-1c6a-4696-9a40-ae1d26273dc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_03859560-c0f2-4534-8517-c9264c8d4461" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3db5759c-9d2f-4785-ab2d-accd30c14b2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2b1b979-24b1-4613-8509-c15f5de0b790" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3db5759c-9d2f-4785-ab2d-accd30c14b2c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3db5759c-9d2f-4785-ab2d-accd30c14b2c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3db5759c-9d2f-4785-ab2d-accd30c14b2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3db5759c-9d2f-4785-ab2d-accd30c14b2c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9c1e6230-1d39-4800-b331-a849cb5e2d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3db5759c-9d2f-4785-ab2d-accd30c14b2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9c1e6230-1d39-4800-b331-a849cb5e2d33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_676ffcfc-5f58-4953-9c8c-38367f8a5636" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9c1e6230-1d39-4800-b331-a849cb5e2d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_676ffcfc-5f58-4953-9c8c-38367f8a5636" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_98fc074c-b2f9-477e-a256-7ca2d489c947" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9c1e6230-1d39-4800-b331-a849cb5e2d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_98fc074c-b2f9-477e-a256-7ca2d489c947" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_10dbb86d-17d5-4aff-931c-005c365174fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2b1b979-24b1-4613-8509-c15f5de0b790" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_10dbb86d-17d5-4aff-931c-005c365174fb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_10dbb86d-17d5-4aff-931c-005c365174fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_10dbb86d-17d5-4aff-931c-005c365174fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_10dbb86d-17d5-4aff-931c-005c365174fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_aca3cfce-f71a-4e3e-a280-fed5e5d0f442" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_10dbb86d-17d5-4aff-931c-005c365174fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_aca3cfce-f71a-4e3e-a280-fed5e5d0f442" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember_de814d30-33fd-4aef-8ade-7c5ce9498344" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_aca3cfce-f71a-4e3e-a280-fed5e5d0f442" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember_de814d30-33fd-4aef-8ade-7c5ce9498344" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_f168606a-8de4-45ea-8e27-1446091ab76f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9a3898e1-cf03-456f-ae84-31dda771bd4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_f168606a-8de4-45ea-8e27-1446091ab76f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_dc607c62-47f6-4580-9222-56fa7515d8d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9a3898e1-cf03-456f-ae84-31dda771bd4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_dc607c62-47f6-4580-9222-56fa7515d8d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions_6bb8078a-a97a-4c8e-875d-390d75a894d3" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9a3898e1-cf03-456f-ae84-31dda771bd4d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions_6bb8078a-a97a-4c8e-875d-390d75a894d3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria_866bb6ca-ffc2-42c5-a17f-ed771fe43fc3" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9a3898e1-cf03-456f-ae84-31dda771bd4d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria_866bb6ca-ffc2-42c5-a17f-ed771fe43fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_014708e6-0898-4389-9290-3750ab379930" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ba16891d-4b79-42e8-9af2-01e6cc55040a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_014708e6-0898-4389-9290-3750ab379930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ba16891d-4b79-42e8-9af2-01e6cc55040a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_399c8c9a-59f1-48db-b082-6eb3aae1b407" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ba16891d-4b79-42e8-9af2-01e6cc55040a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_399c8c9a-59f1-48db-b082-6eb3aae1b407" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_399c8c9a-59f1-48db-b082-6eb3aae1b407_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_399c8c9a-59f1-48db-b082-6eb3aae1b407" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_399c8c9a-59f1-48db-b082-6eb3aae1b407_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_523353ba-54d1-4c7e-9510-7c70db7a9b85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_399c8c9a-59f1-48db-b082-6eb3aae1b407" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_523353ba-54d1-4c7e-9510-7c70db7a9b85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_6e219149-8dd3-4783-81de-5d0afda1571f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_523353ba-54d1-4c7e-9510-7c70db7a9b85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_6e219149-8dd3-4783-81de-5d0afda1571f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_0810e693-1fdb-4d83-8476-31f2eeec6232" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_523353ba-54d1-4c7e-9510-7c70db7a9b85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_0810e693-1fdb-4d83-8476-31f2eeec6232" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_91deb8e0-56cf-4f44-a105-afc4b002429b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ba16891d-4b79-42e8-9af2-01e6cc55040a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_91deb8e0-56cf-4f44-a105-afc4b002429b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_91deb8e0-56cf-4f44-a105-afc4b002429b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_91deb8e0-56cf-4f44-a105-afc4b002429b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_91deb8e0-56cf-4f44-a105-afc4b002429b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_440d1596-9e01-4f67-a921-7aa68a6ffb20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_91deb8e0-56cf-4f44-a105-afc4b002429b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_440d1596-9e01-4f67-a921-7aa68a6ffb20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_823769bd-838e-4c86-912e-4bf5b2655260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_440d1596-9e01-4f67-a921-7aa68a6ffb20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_823769bd-838e-4c86-912e-4bf5b2655260" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_49f03967-9eca-493d-bf03-ccfb9308e2d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_440d1596-9e01-4f67-a921-7aa68a6ffb20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_49f03967-9eca-493d-bf03-ccfb9308e2d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_00ccd870-a54c-4707-b168-febc7567701b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_014708e6-0898-4389-9290-3750ab379930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_00ccd870-a54c-4707-b168-febc7567701b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_a7080083-0cc2-4e7f-a4d6-1d3029638cc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_014708e6-0898-4389-9290-3750ab379930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_a7080083-0cc2-4e7f-a4d6-1d3029638cc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_e34493cd-f1d6-46b4-99cc-69369e069ac9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_014708e6-0898-4389-9290-3750ab379930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_e34493cd-f1d6-46b4-99cc-69369e069ac9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_e657fb04-f515-475a-91c2-01d2441aea7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b1fa3adc-b3a2-4571-8ab5-8615a1e358d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e657fb04-f515-475a-91c2-01d2441aea7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b1fa3adc-b3a2-4571-8ab5-8615a1e358d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f05c0dce-0d71-41b9-96fa-7fc48acbd1ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b1fa3adc-b3a2-4571-8ab5-8615a1e358d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f05c0dce-0d71-41b9-96fa-7fc48acbd1ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_f05c0dce-0d71-41b9-96fa-7fc48acbd1ed_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f05c0dce-0d71-41b9-96fa-7fc48acbd1ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_f05c0dce-0d71-41b9-96fa-7fc48acbd1ed_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_82588d00-e7d5-45ca-b248-8a95957ebb30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_f05c0dce-0d71-41b9-96fa-7fc48acbd1ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_82588d00-e7d5-45ca-b248-8a95957ebb30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_358b044a-2dd4-486e-9ab6-cde3bf9e1fb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_82588d00-e7d5-45ca-b248-8a95957ebb30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_358b044a-2dd4-486e-9ab6-cde3bf9e1fb3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_87cd3dd2-4aab-4337-a6e0-f067279b0455" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_82588d00-e7d5-45ca-b248-8a95957ebb30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_87cd3dd2-4aab-4337-a6e0-f067279b0455" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ed9b2f34-3500-47f3-982e-4144da784566" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b1fa3adc-b3a2-4571-8ab5-8615a1e358d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ed9b2f34-3500-47f3-982e-4144da784566" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ed9b2f34-3500-47f3-982e-4144da784566_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ed9b2f34-3500-47f3-982e-4144da784566" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ed9b2f34-3500-47f3-982e-4144da784566_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ed9b2f34-3500-47f3-982e-4144da784566" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_633eb04f-6717-438a-b365-7e13f685c57e" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_633eb04f-6717-438a-b365-7e13f685c57e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2027Member_95e6259a-0544-47d1-818f-36e597f29c03" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2027Member_95e6259a-0544-47d1-818f-36e597f29c03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_e809b65a-80d5-46da-8c5f-80349aa2cd25" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_e809b65a-80d5-46da-8c5f-80349aa2cd25" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_97f88abc-9947-44f5-8d52-6274067c3a6c" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_97f88abc-9947-44f5-8d52-6274067c3a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_246130e0-1305-4ca2-bfd3-1dfd91bbfa27" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_246130e0-1305-4ca2-bfd3-1dfd91bbfa27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_dd52e0a6-50de-4529-a325-23cf44736995" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_dd52e0a6-50de-4529-a325-23cf44736995" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_53414895-539d-4085-98cc-1e71a282e8d6" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_fbf6885e-2131-4b15-b116-57040db0c5ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_53414895-539d-4085-98cc-1e71a282e8d6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_64f255dd-48f8-4305-a5cd-84b17785ed3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b1fa3adc-b3a2-4571-8ab5-8615a1e358d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_64f255dd-48f8-4305-a5cd-84b17785ed3d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_64f255dd-48f8-4305-a5cd-84b17785ed3d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_64f255dd-48f8-4305-a5cd-84b17785ed3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_64f255dd-48f8-4305-a5cd-84b17785ed3d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c26ac596-f9e5-4e05-9b42-34c677264ee3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_64f255dd-48f8-4305-a5cd-84b17785ed3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c26ac596-f9e5-4e05-9b42-34c677264ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_262212ef-71e2-4869-a7f4-c45f1a1b9b46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c26ac596-f9e5-4e05-9b42-34c677264ee3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_262212ef-71e2-4869-a7f4-c45f1a1b9b46" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_44cac971-6523-4d9b-aeba-b212466f6dcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c26ac596-f9e5-4e05-9b42-34c677264ee3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_44cac971-6523-4d9b-aeba-b212466f6dcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_620fe445-6fcc-450d-98b8-11961dec204d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e657fb04-f515-475a-91c2-01d2441aea7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_620fe445-6fcc-450d-98b8-11961dec204d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_868150c3-04c5-478c-b678-3a36b2380315" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e657fb04-f515-475a-91c2-01d2441aea7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_868150c3-04c5-478c-b678-3a36b2380315" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_3a3566d2-cd8e-4287-ba75-73cc90c9a8b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e657fb04-f515-475a-91c2-01d2441aea7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_3a3566d2-cd8e-4287-ba75-73cc90c9a8b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_f95bd858-39da-4c4a-be76-db7bd03f4bdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e657fb04-f515-475a-91c2-01d2441aea7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_f95bd858-39da-4c4a-be76-db7bd03f4bdd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_09ebbbe6-50c9-4439-8356-135a8d7d9999" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_09ebbbe6-50c9-4439-8356-135a8d7d9999" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ce3ba8d-9902-437c-968e-b77bd5462ec7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_09ebbbe6-50c9-4439-8356-135a8d7d9999" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ce3ba8d-9902-437c-968e-b77bd5462ec7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0ce3ba8d-9902-437c-968e-b77bd5462ec7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ce3ba8d-9902-437c-968e-b77bd5462ec7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0ce3ba8d-9902-437c-968e-b77bd5462ec7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e3e911a6-977b-4408-a9a1-e929389261dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_0ce3ba8d-9902-437c-968e-b77bd5462ec7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e3e911a6-977b-4408-a9a1-e929389261dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_0f76be29-105e-4239-a577-5344817e8b97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e3e911a6-977b-4408-a9a1-e929389261dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_0f76be29-105e-4239-a577-5344817e8b97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_3545b3cc-a3c1-4954-a033-20c1dba04a50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e3e911a6-977b-4408-a9a1-e929389261dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_3545b3cc-a3c1-4954-a033-20c1dba04a50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_844eb2a6-eebc-4b51-abbc-8e0805253554" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e3e911a6-977b-4408-a9a1-e929389261dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_844eb2a6-eebc-4b51-abbc-8e0805253554" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_70b70b69-ce33-4763-a2ed-02815e2e651b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e3e911a6-977b-4408-a9a1-e929389261dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_70b70b69-ce33-4763-a2ed-02815e2e651b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d86608a6-f2b3-4d29-aee2-d0e0cd97e0b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_09ebbbe6-50c9-4439-8356-135a8d7d9999" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d86608a6-f2b3-4d29-aee2-d0e0cd97e0b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d86608a6-f2b3-4d29-aee2-d0e0cd97e0b1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d86608a6-f2b3-4d29-aee2-d0e0cd97e0b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d86608a6-f2b3-4d29-aee2-d0e0cd97e0b1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4dc3593a-613b-4177-8513-74da4b960c51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d86608a6-f2b3-4d29-aee2-d0e0cd97e0b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4dc3593a-613b-4177-8513-74da4b960c51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_da7093f9-d212-476b-85f4-ca9c0fb8e629" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4dc3593a-613b-4177-8513-74da4b960c51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_da7093f9-d212-476b-85f4-ca9c0fb8e629" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_d38db162-1b47-4c1a-b818-667129312889" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4dc3593a-613b-4177-8513-74da4b960c51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_d38db162-1b47-4c1a-b818-667129312889" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b9163c7c-22d7-474e-945d-fb6a314b24a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_09ebbbe6-50c9-4439-8356-135a8d7d9999" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b9163c7c-22d7-474e-945d-fb6a314b24a9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b9163c7c-22d7-474e-945d-fb6a314b24a9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b9163c7c-22d7-474e-945d-fb6a314b24a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b9163c7c-22d7-474e-945d-fb6a314b24a9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b9163c7c-22d7-474e-945d-fb6a314b24a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_27ac9935-4c52-42fd-aeb9-a6912f1bd973" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_27ac9935-4c52-42fd-aeb9-a6912f1bd973" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2027Member_bd45e8db-8358-4768-8540-2ae108fba439" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2027Member_bd45e8db-8358-4768-8540-2ae108fba439" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_4f25138d-04b0-404b-a3f0-1451f1b1d9d1" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_4f25138d-04b0-404b-a3f0-1451f1b1d9d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_bc3fd7fc-169b-4721-9aed-46153091d006" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_bc3fd7fc-169b-4721-9aed-46153091d006" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_fefc2572-752b-4761-8e74-8293680239e8" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_fefc2572-752b-4761-8e74-8293680239e8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_223e3721-9472-421b-afee-f015d43931ec" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_223e3721-9472-421b-afee-f015d43931ec" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_224d474a-e2e9-465e-9d7f-85bf095d62a4" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_224d474a-e2e9-465e-9d7f-85bf095d62a4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_cc5c7c57-1531-4574-b667-e572829fbdc1" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_cc5c7c57-1531-4574-b667-e572829fbdc1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_789332db-4310-4ef7-8447-361ec450bf18" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_86df86b6-506b-4d93-b1cb-00de53aa47e4" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_789332db-4310-4ef7-8447-361ec450bf18" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_24808b72-f4ae-4056-9e5a-56c13688885b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_09ebbbe6-50c9-4439-8356-135a8d7d9999" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_24808b72-f4ae-4056-9e5a-56c13688885b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_24808b72-f4ae-4056-9e5a-56c13688885b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_24808b72-f4ae-4056-9e5a-56c13688885b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_24808b72-f4ae-4056-9e5a-56c13688885b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4ec51977-89a8-4587-a708-548c2dd3fe56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_24808b72-f4ae-4056-9e5a-56c13688885b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4ec51977-89a8-4587-a708-548c2dd3fe56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_6ef51a70-f4c9-4c3b-905e-8a4e4d518317" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4ec51977-89a8-4587-a708-548c2dd3fe56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_6ef51a70-f4c9-4c3b-905e-8a4e4d518317" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_d02a8e6e-e16f-4da4-b825-fc9cf9f16b37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_d02a8e6e-e16f-4da4-b825-fc9cf9f16b37" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0aca647d-8670-428e-a98e-753bddd202f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0aca647d-8670-428e-a98e-753bddd202f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_299d6b3a-968f-422e-ad05-110ccc2a8858" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_299d6b3a-968f-422e-ad05-110ccc2a8858" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal_b0cb1857-a2ad-413b-ab1b-594b4276a90a" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal_b0cb1857-a2ad-413b-ab1b-594b4276a90a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_bdaf7ea0-aa2b-4406-92f8-30e64d8b0366" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_bdaf7ea0-aa2b-4406-92f8-30e64d8b0366" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_b35d3ee5-9402-4fef-afb0-91d4c496ac2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_b35d3ee5-9402-4fef-afb0-91d4c496ac2c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8e4b817b-338e-46b4-a35f-736049e0e87b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8e4b817b-338e-46b4-a35f-736049e0e87b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_aed2b10a-5bc1-4433-b301-2207aeae00af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_aed2b10a-5bc1-4433-b301-2207aeae00af" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_46bb70e1-ae83-481c-9490-85881d895334" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_46bb70e1-ae83-481c-9490-85881d895334" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_ef34157f-8a70-4396-b1d5-2f6e39b3b47d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3ab4c0c3-2a58-4e5d-b07c-0e61a54a211d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_ef34157f-8a70-4396-b1d5-2f6e39b3b47d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_0672f162-e765-4f9c-8c88-21a9283a7050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_0672f162-e765-4f9c-8c88-21a9283a7050" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_f1b8b761-1cea-4853-a69b-8f56e0724b53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_0672f162-e765-4f9c-8c88-21a9283a7050" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_f1b8b761-1cea-4853-a69b-8f56e0724b53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_105bf38c-7d03-45a1-a3a6-07d203ae74e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_105bf38c-7d03-45a1-a3a6-07d203ae74e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_26cc8d07-6e24-4a44-83a0-75e6f7abee2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_26cc8d07-6e24-4a44-83a0-75e6f7abee2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_0672f162-e765-4f9c-8c88-21a9283a7050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_0672f162-e765-4f9c-8c88-21a9283a7050" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_105bf38c-7d03-45a1-a3a6-07d203ae74e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_105bf38c-7d03-45a1-a3a6-07d203ae74e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_26cc8d07-6e24-4a44-83a0-75e6f7abee2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_175a724c-b32f-465e-bf11-cea9f50da140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_26cc8d07-6e24-4a44-83a0-75e6f7abee2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_f16297c4-a588-4204-9a2a-1623539f8700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f16297c4-a588-4204-9a2a-1623539f8700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_0e688061-8654-41a8-8be5-8754f245a022" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_0e688061-8654-41a8-8be5-8754f245a022" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_0e688061-8654-41a8-8be5-8754f245a022_default" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_0e688061-8654-41a8-8be5-8754f245a022" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_0e688061-8654-41a8-8be5-8754f245a022_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_0e688061-8654-41a8-8be5-8754f245a022" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_c9f1438f-d20e-421a-a10d-686febdbea14" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_c9f1438f-d20e-421a-a10d-686febdbea14" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_990f23a2-f642-4f03-bf58-f9817d2a105c" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_990f23a2-f642-4f03-bf58-f9817d2a105c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember_3cc86916-f314-4b05-88dd-6c18d9499de8" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember_3cc86916-f314-4b05-88dd-6c18d9499de8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember_06635c5e-9291-486d-9949-0984a1bd3629" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember_06635c5e-9291-486d-9949-0984a1bd3629" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WesternKentuckyMember_adc545a6-9aaf-4d9c-8401-c2cb3e36279a" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_WesternKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WesternKentuckyMember_adc545a6-9aaf-4d9c-8401-c2cb3e36279a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_VirginaMember_19d0ebb6-1937-4c51-8b19-75a820b2b43b" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_VirginaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_VirginaMember_19d0ebb6-1937-4c51-8b19-75a820b2b43b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_NH_a1865f98-5b7a-41e9-8c26-dcef0dbd79f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_NH"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_NH_a1865f98-5b7a-41e9-8c26-dcef0dbd79f6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_FL_7b352e6a-532d-491a-8f7e-cac2e33c6a3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_FL"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_FL_7b352e6a-532d-491a-8f7e-cac2e33c6a3e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_IA_d25cd2e9-7727-471d-9a17-fa9da54207e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_IA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_IA_d25cd2e9-7727-471d-9a17-fa9da54207e0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_LA_b4b12fe3-4964-4421-92b7-eeffbbbb7d4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_LA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_LA_b4b12fe3-4964-4421-92b7-eeffbbbb7d4f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_ME_7d07a6e1-f853-42b1-872a-18020c8655c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_ME"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_ME_7d07a6e1-f853-42b1-872a-18020c8655c5" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MD_e687e645-3aa9-4df0-a84e-7eb8678e6c07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_MD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MD_e687e645-3aa9-4df0-a84e-7eb8678e6c07" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MS_5c3f9805-b03a-49c8-8a72-6a976bfdd646" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_MS"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MS_5c3f9805-b03a-49c8-8a72-6a976bfdd646" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_NY_939f01b1-adc6-422b-b828-96f579b7babc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_NY"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_NY_939f01b1-adc6-422b-b828-96f579b7babc" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_PA_a35d9971-a85a-4237-b5ad-8871b53bf0c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_PA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_4984781f-92cb-456c-b7a8-bc72dda2121c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_PA_a35d9971-a85a-4237-b5ad-8871b53bf0c9" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f5171203-b67a-4888-875b-3bb696993019" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f5171203-b67a-4888-875b-3bb696993019" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_f5171203-b67a-4888-875b-3bb696993019_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f5171203-b67a-4888-875b-3bb696993019" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_f5171203-b67a-4888-875b-3bb696993019_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6bc4d649-f2bc-4af8-8a1f-e87d48dc5e4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f5171203-b67a-4888-875b-3bb696993019" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6bc4d649-f2bc-4af8-8a1f-e87d48dc5e4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_27d19ce8-1203-40a5-95e7-469642fc5d1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6bc4d649-f2bc-4af8-8a1f-e87d48dc5e4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_27d19ce8-1203-40a5-95e7-469642fc5d1b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_ba9072e4-5733-4a27-9fd3-1fff81912177" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6bc4d649-f2bc-4af8-8a1f-e87d48dc5e4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_ba9072e4-5733-4a27-9fd3-1fff81912177" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_24dfb81a-d30e-4c5a-a285-6e23396a710e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6bc4d649-f2bc-4af8-8a1f-e87d48dc5e4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_24dfb81a-d30e-4c5a-a285-6e23396a710e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ab5fd32a-f943-443e-90f5-d1254bcef685" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ab5fd32a-f943-443e-90f5-d1254bcef685" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ab5fd32a-f943-443e-90f5-d1254bcef685_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ab5fd32a-f943-443e-90f5-d1254bcef685" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ab5fd32a-f943-443e-90f5-d1254bcef685_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6a774ddf-52b8-4cee-915f-2f2213143a45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ab5fd32a-f943-443e-90f5-d1254bcef685" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6a774ddf-52b8-4cee-915f-2f2213143a45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_df7e7b1e-0df3-4b09-97a0-508a2fd600d0" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6a774ddf-52b8-4cee-915f-2f2213143a45" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_df7e7b1e-0df3-4b09-97a0-508a2fd600d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_9202857e-9261-4222-bd9c-33d15010d4b1" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6a774ddf-52b8-4cee-915f-2f2213143a45" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_9202857e-9261-4222-bd9c-33d15010d4b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_8d05f11c-a2ea-4ffe-9f14-ed5076a69d8d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6a774ddf-52b8-4cee-915f-2f2213143a45" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_8d05f11c-a2ea-4ffe-9f14-ed5076a69d8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_37cdc932-d8af-49a1-b7fd-1fa6ea9b4565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_37cdc932-d8af-49a1-b7fd-1fa6ea9b4565" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_37cdc932-d8af-49a1-b7fd-1fa6ea9b4565_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_37cdc932-d8af-49a1-b7fd-1fa6ea9b4565" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_37cdc932-d8af-49a1-b7fd-1fa6ea9b4565_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_1c4182e5-2da7-4d3c-8fc8-2308f0c606f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_37cdc932-d8af-49a1-b7fd-1fa6ea9b4565" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_1c4182e5-2da7-4d3c-8fc8-2308f0c606f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_6edfbde0-eafb-4ca0-9e97-8d4499a82351" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_1c4182e5-2da7-4d3c-8fc8-2308f0c606f7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_6edfbde0-eafb-4ca0-9e97-8d4499a82351" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ae52611b-b958-4154-9c37-7f771365398a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ae52611b-b958-4154-9c37-7f771365398a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ae52611b-b958-4154-9c37-7f771365398a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ae52611b-b958-4154-9c37-7f771365398a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ae52611b-b958-4154-9c37-7f771365398a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ae52611b-b958-4154-9c37-7f771365398a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_6aa48467-65e0-4039-a129-d1c1130428ec" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_6aa48467-65e0-4039-a129-d1c1130428ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_9a6bc41a-8b9d-49e3-9a98-34b6f0890585" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_9a6bc41a-8b9d-49e3-9a98-34b6f0890585" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_66d7a4f7-70a8-48ca-9c96-e881f87a69d2" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_66d7a4f7-70a8-48ca-9c96-e881f87a69d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_50856686-0435-4a84-ae37-c05d068849ee" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_50856686-0435-4a84-ae37-c05d068849ee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_7bdac942-a56e-4782-9064-3eadef4783fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ed4561dc-d958-4487-be5c-6f5c5cda7fa6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_7bdac942-a56e-4782-9064-3eadef4783fa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_54adc26b-423e-44f4-8224-7c749becb5e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d171264a-2052-4c9e-b1e4-e4350da9bc1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_54adc26b-423e-44f4-8224-7c749becb5e1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_54adc26b-423e-44f4-8224-7c749becb5e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_54adc26b-423e-44f4-8224-7c749becb5e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_54adc26b-423e-44f4-8224-7c749becb5e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3c95a095-474e-40a4-809b-aa2f516ad7eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_54adc26b-423e-44f4-8224-7c749becb5e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3c95a095-474e-40a4-809b-aa2f516ad7eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_4178a897-6c24-4f9f-adc2-392d4481e7d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3c95a095-474e-40a4-809b-aa2f516ad7eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_4178a897-6c24-4f9f-adc2-392d4481e7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_0e4a1452-014f-457d-8d15-abf71e4d0b8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f16297c4-a588-4204-9a2a-1623539f8700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_0e4a1452-014f-457d-8d15-abf71e4d0b8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_3c91a61d-f2fd-47ca-87a8-5167bb27ed97" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f16297c4-a588-4204-9a2a-1623539f8700" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_3c91a61d-f2fd-47ca-87a8-5167bb27ed97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/OtherBalanceSheetItemsScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#OtherBalanceSheetItemsScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/OtherBalanceSheetItemsScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fb42d4e9-b337-41a5-8f6d-05ca4e0e7958" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_e4e2ccdd-f8f2-4e98-8fc9-64020c59c6c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fb42d4e9-b337-41a5-8f6d-05ca4e0e7958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_e4e2ccdd-f8f2-4e98-8fc9-64020c59c6c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9db6f49e-494a-435d-bdaf-ed0539f1d9c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_e4e2ccdd-f8f2-4e98-8fc9-64020c59c6c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9db6f49e-494a-435d-bdaf-ed0539f1d9c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9db6f49e-494a-435d-bdaf-ed0539f1d9c3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9db6f49e-494a-435d-bdaf-ed0539f1d9c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9db6f49e-494a-435d-bdaf-ed0539f1d9c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3813dcc5-7bfc-4599-8031-828e7fcf188b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9db6f49e-494a-435d-bdaf-ed0539f1d9c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3813dcc5-7bfc-4599-8031-828e7fcf188b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember_8e6946e4-66b0-4f79-b9e4-7ddf202e70ee" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3813dcc5-7bfc-4599-8031-828e7fcf188b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember_8e6946e4-66b0-4f79-b9e4-7ddf202e70ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember_d222fcd1-6ff3-46c2-812b-130bea093fca" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3813dcc5-7bfc-4599-8031-828e7fcf188b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember_d222fcd1-6ff3-46c2-812b-130bea093fca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherReceivablesMember_f686ddb4-da75-4829-8c4c-378859d8b5ae" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_OtherReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3813dcc5-7bfc-4599-8031-828e7fcf188b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherReceivablesMember_f686ddb4-da75-4829-8c4c-378859d8b5ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_7e922bf3-2f3c-4cb6-a76b-8e94fa79c154" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fb42d4e9-b337-41a5-8f6d-05ca4e0e7958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_7e922bf3-2f3c-4cb6-a76b-8e94fa79c154" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_cde374e5-2bc8-4f2f-868b-e63a6c664fab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fb42d4e9-b337-41a5-8f6d-05ca4e0e7958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_cde374e5-2bc8-4f2f-868b-e63a6c664fab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_81b9017e-ca5b-41e0-9e1f-f2bc6c6d4666" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fb42d4e9-b337-41a5-8f6d-05ca4e0e7958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_81b9017e-ca5b-41e0-9e1f-f2bc6c6d4666" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_863ddcfc-26e8-4c8b-b63a-39efb425a7c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_377436af-8ff8-4697-be47-a4fc06008ad9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_863ddcfc-26e8-4c8b-b63a-39efb425a7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_377436af-8ff8-4697-be47-a4fc06008ad9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_3c1abce0-ceb7-4504-a682-b2b49b36cabe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_377436af-8ff8-4697-be47-a4fc06008ad9" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_3c1abce0-ceb7-4504-a682-b2b49b36cabe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3c1abce0-ceb7-4504-a682-b2b49b36cabe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_3c1abce0-ceb7-4504-a682-b2b49b36cabe" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3c1abce0-ceb7-4504-a682-b2b49b36cabe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8335480e-b3cb-4265-b8db-a7ded9473d9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_3c1abce0-ceb7-4504-a682-b2b49b36cabe" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8335480e-b3cb-4265-b8db-a7ded9473d9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_8a41a4e3-e6f2-4048-bf42-4dbfbe2b5098" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_HighPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8335480e-b3cb-4265-b8db-a7ded9473d9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_8a41a4e3-e6f2-4048-bf42-4dbfbe2b5098" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_ff7f6b43-8349-44c0-974f-8ab9d9fc9079" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8335480e-b3cb-4265-b8db-a7ded9473d9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_ff7f6b43-8349-44c0-974f-8ab9d9fc9079" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_1a817695-cb89-423a-a52e-4cee59cc6739" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8335480e-b3cb-4265-b8db-a7ded9473d9d" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_1a817695-cb89-423a-a52e-4cee59cc6739" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_2af41ef4-8005-4332-865d-92104087ebc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_377436af-8ff8-4697-be47-a4fc06008ad9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_2af41ef4-8005-4332-865d-92104087ebc3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_2af41ef4-8005-4332-865d-92104087ebc3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_2af41ef4-8005-4332-865d-92104087ebc3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_2af41ef4-8005-4332-865d-92104087ebc3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_89f8f6dc-e93b-4b5e-be54-ee5226f28cec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_2af41ef4-8005-4332-865d-92104087ebc3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_89f8f6dc-e93b-4b5e-be54-ee5226f28cec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_b50ffb2b-c389-46d2-9b9f-6b0c814815a1" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_89f8f6dc-e93b-4b5e-be54-ee5226f28cec" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_b50ffb2b-c389-46d2-9b9f-6b0c814815a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_2bb6dae4-5453-4364-ab58-a17ab158aa9d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_89f8f6dc-e93b-4b5e-be54-ee5226f28cec" xlink:to="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_2bb6dae4-5453-4364-ab58-a17ab158aa9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_1ad9c057-3cde-4529-8ecb-76128440fb18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_863ddcfc-26e8-4c8b-b63a-39efb425a7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_1ad9c057-3cde-4529-8ecb-76128440fb18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_f5c9bef0-976f-4e6b-9d45-21b9c424406c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_863ddcfc-26e8-4c8b-b63a-39efb425a7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_f5c9bef0-976f-4e6b-9d45-21b9c424406c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_ffdaf0d3-25fe-4d59-b14f-11beb0e61fc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_863ddcfc-26e8-4c8b-b63a-39efb425a7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_ffdaf0d3-25fe-4d59-b14f-11beb0e61fc2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_563b25c6-a440-40f0-875d-b53f906e131f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_863ddcfc-26e8-4c8b-b63a-39efb425a7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_563b25c6-a440-40f0-875d-b53f906e131f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_147c893e-e3a0-4cfe-8cc9-dffd03c01d6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_147c893e-e3a0-4cfe-8cc9-dffd03c01d6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_143eddd9-1fa5-4ecb-aa4c-a8e2e433513f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_147c893e-e3a0-4cfe-8cc9-dffd03c01d6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_143eddd9-1fa5-4ecb-aa4c-a8e2e433513f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_143eddd9-1fa5-4ecb-aa4c-a8e2e433513f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_143eddd9-1fa5-4ecb-aa4c-a8e2e433513f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_143eddd9-1fa5-4ecb-aa4c-a8e2e433513f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1a23a8b2-b1cb-4876-af00-b8c5bb04db55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_143eddd9-1fa5-4ecb-aa4c-a8e2e433513f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1a23a8b2-b1cb-4876-af00-b8c5bb04db55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_e94e201f-b3e7-4429-8f1a-d0f883404cdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1a23a8b2-b1cb-4876-af00-b8c5bb04db55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_e94e201f-b3e7-4429-8f1a-d0f883404cdd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_755fc134-a14a-4c23-8d96-5ec37dafd04c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_755fc134-a14a-4c23-8d96-5ec37dafd04c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_a7fee3b9-0894-4889-8f68-bfd4a3e4d945" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_a7fee3b9-0894-4889-8f68-bfd4a3e4d945" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_b3982777-090e-49b5-bec8-b909a279799e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_b3982777-090e-49b5-bec8-b909a279799e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingExpense_d8c04103-c597-41e1-8bbe-5edbdc163b65" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingExpense_d8c04103-c597-41e1-8bbe-5edbdc163b65" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_90d24f22-f295-4543-9de6-79719e26c8ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_90d24f22-f295-4543-9de6-79719e26c8ce" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_4d2ce090-372e-47d3-9c92-a30ef4778b9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_4d2ce090-372e-47d3-9c92-a30ef4778b9b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c0f52452-065f-47ae-b7bd-0cea615096e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_cd65466c-5ac8-4420-ba3f-d9cda0e9f9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c0f52452-065f-47ae-b7bd-0cea615096e7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_b75749a3-e6d7-4a59-92a9-ef7ac6aa7c28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_162d95a5-879c-42f2-bde1-3382a63a27bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_b75749a3-e6d7-4a59-92a9-ef7ac6aa7c28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_162d95a5-879c-42f2-bde1-3382a63a27bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1e78470b-e8c8-4600-a227-0660c07400c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_162d95a5-879c-42f2-bde1-3382a63a27bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1e78470b-e8c8-4600-a227-0660c07400c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1e78470b-e8c8-4600-a227-0660c07400c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1e78470b-e8c8-4600-a227-0660c07400c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_1e78470b-e8c8-4600-a227-0660c07400c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_832e47a7-d341-4dc0-9ea5-f59085a4ea52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_1e78470b-e8c8-4600-a227-0660c07400c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_832e47a7-d341-4dc0-9ea5-f59085a4ea52" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_5c34e714-9856-4403-86b1-94bc499aef9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_832e47a7-d341-4dc0-9ea5-f59085a4ea52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_5c34e714-9856-4403-86b1-94bc499aef9f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_4c8150fe-4c5f-4f66-9eff-13f0561972c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_b75749a3-e6d7-4a59-92a9-ef7ac6aa7c28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_4c8150fe-4c5f-4f66-9eff-13f0561972c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_9820ad93-e126-4406-8d06-56a755c011eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_4c8150fe-4c5f-4f66-9eff-13f0561972c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_9820ad93-e126-4406-8d06-56a755c011eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_9a72f2c4-053e-41af-b9bd-7cb4b95cbb5e" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_4c8150fe-4c5f-4f66-9eff-13f0561972c5" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_9a72f2c4-053e-41af-b9bd-7cb4b95cbb5e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_a3507c2c-1293-4a6c-98b6-85e4031a4762" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_4c8150fe-4c5f-4f66-9eff-13f0561972c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_a3507c2c-1293-4a6c-98b6-85e4031a4762" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_559aab95-1a0e-4cf1-b52b-aec5a4183872" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_4c8150fe-4c5f-4f66-9eff-13f0561972c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_559aab95-1a0e-4cf1-b52b-aec5a4183872" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_b75749a3-e6d7-4a59-92a9-ef7ac6aa7c28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_52b4e029-e2ad-4772-8105-34266854bc3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_52b4e029-e2ad-4772-8105-34266854bc3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_ac830179-2b1b-466b-8789-0c8a603b2627" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_ac830179-2b1b-466b-8789-0c8a603b2627" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_3eae2e0e-e8af-4785-b2ec-b87db63e568d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_3eae2e0e-e8af-4785-b2ec-b87db63e568d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_e28e26e5-1652-4293-91d5-84bd207dde14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_e28e26e5-1652-4293-91d5-84bd207dde14" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_b5c78e6b-bb7c-43f2-b04e-2ddf03722325" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_eab009db-1426-48c6-9943-520bfe469bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_b5c78e6b-bb7c-43f2-b04e-2ddf03722325" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleofFairValueMeasurementsonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleofFairValueMeasurementsonaRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesScheduleofFairValueMeasurementsonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d9b10d66-7ac7-4abb-a2f6-c064d5f87f2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d9b10d66-7ac7-4abb-a2f6-c064d5f87f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_bfaa9605-c5a4-48de-8234-06ece22c04bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_bfaa9605-c5a4-48de-8234-06ece22c04bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_bfaa9605-c5a4-48de-8234-06ece22c04bb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_bfaa9605-c5a4-48de-8234-06ece22c04bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_bfaa9605-c5a4-48de-8234-06ece22c04bb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_fbabe75c-6268-4b62-a573-2168a2383c2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_bfaa9605-c5a4-48de-8234-06ece22c04bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_fbabe75c-6268-4b62-a573-2168a2383c2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f43ef668-f37a-4eef-a25b-067cfe0049be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_fbabe75c-6268-4b62-a573-2168a2383c2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f43ef668-f37a-4eef-a25b-067cfe0049be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_ea1dd1ab-f004-44bd-becb-2e51d52c0fc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f43ef668-f37a-4eef-a25b-067cfe0049be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_ea1dd1ab-f004-44bd-becb-2e51d52c0fc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_56f52eaf-2241-41f2-a7ba-173612dd76ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f43ef668-f37a-4eef-a25b-067cfe0049be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_56f52eaf-2241-41f2-a7ba-173612dd76ef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_8d33790d-6e19-40c2-9746-c393118c3a30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_8d33790d-6e19-40c2-9746-c393118c3a30" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8d33790d-6e19-40c2-9746-c393118c3a30_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_8d33790d-6e19-40c2-9746-c393118c3a30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8d33790d-6e19-40c2-9746-c393118c3a30_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_27228211-6ed2-4ba2-b557-24e249b3469e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_8d33790d-6e19-40c2-9746-c393118c3a30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_27228211-6ed2-4ba2-b557-24e249b3469e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_cf19c04f-eae5-4d8c-b665-9c10b07503a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_27228211-6ed2-4ba2-b557-24e249b3469e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_cf19c04f-eae5-4d8c-b665-9c10b07503a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a6d4023f-45ec-4151-ab6c-eab2e31d716b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_27228211-6ed2-4ba2-b557-24e249b3469e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a6d4023f-45ec-4151-ab6c-eab2e31d716b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_a88518ec-545b-48f0-ae89-20340e0b9bee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_a88518ec-545b-48f0-ae89-20340e0b9bee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a88518ec-545b-48f0-ae89-20340e0b9bee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_a88518ec-545b-48f0-ae89-20340e0b9bee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a88518ec-545b-48f0-ae89-20340e0b9bee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_a88518ec-545b-48f0-ae89-20340e0b9bee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_1e99b210-6500-4cd6-bb78-8b5a8e7a9156" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_1e99b210-6500-4cd6-bb78-8b5a8e7a9156" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanAMember_8a68707f-0f4e-467a-8814-0ba663ea6a64" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanAMember_8a68707f-0f4e-467a-8814-0ba663ea6a64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_5dd57d65-1545-4df3-bfa6-3e8cca42c6b4" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_5dd57d65-1545-4df3-bfa6-3e8cca42c6b4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_143fd693-e7d7-405d-9c34-37ed40fa02bd" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_143fd693-e7d7-405d-9c34-37ed40fa02bd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_f1afd861-9664-4afb-8f36-052a91bde88f" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_f1afd861-9664-4afb-8f36-052a91bde88f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_40c32a3d-7c92-4c38-a0d3-3a79b7647534" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_40c32a3d-7c92-4c38-a0d3-3a79b7647534" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_94fb6e8e-e502-4020-9f06-18323220094d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8cd97725-c21c-4399-8e3d-71c7bf333d7b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_94fb6e8e-e502-4020-9f06-18323220094d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8544a18d-d389-42f0-a121-8c45ee5b421b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8544a18d-d389-42f0-a121-8c45ee5b421b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8544a18d-d389-42f0-a121-8c45ee5b421b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8544a18d-d389-42f0-a121-8c45ee5b421b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8544a18d-d389-42f0-a121-8c45ee5b421b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_454f5e3f-206a-4463-aee9-15f2a38d8145" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8544a18d-d389-42f0-a121-8c45ee5b421b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_454f5e3f-206a-4463-aee9-15f2a38d8145" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_8663e0ef-ecc1-4ac3-9b75-ca85659748d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_454f5e3f-206a-4463-aee9-15f2a38d8145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_8663e0ef-ecc1-4ac3-9b75-ca85659748d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_8b96ddff-d769-4143-9460-2edb11de98ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_454f5e3f-206a-4463-aee9-15f2a38d8145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_8b96ddff-d769-4143-9460-2edb11de98ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e079b1c2-7b10-407f-8ee3-e0d21902d1c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_00a96b6c-b171-4da1-b098-9cd65a5b76d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e079b1c2-7b10-407f-8ee3-e0d21902d1c8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e079b1c2-7b10-407f-8ee3-e0d21902d1c8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e079b1c2-7b10-407f-8ee3-e0d21902d1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e079b1c2-7b10-407f-8ee3-e0d21902d1c8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d48b7c49-cd8d-4300-b387-3ad5b878b7af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e079b1c2-7b10-407f-8ee3-e0d21902d1c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d48b7c49-cd8d-4300-b387-3ad5b878b7af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_91a06ea3-0c22-462f-972f-170a033fa20f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d48b7c49-cd8d-4300-b387-3ad5b878b7af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_91a06ea3-0c22-462f-972f-170a033fa20f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_a6b776b2-d93c-4227-ade8-4786d09f5caf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d48b7c49-cd8d-4300-b387-3ad5b878b7af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_a6b776b2-d93c-4227-ade8-4786d09f5caf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_80adbe3c-d626-475a-94d1-477b7c720853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d48b7c49-cd8d-4300-b387-3ad5b878b7af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_80adbe3c-d626-475a-94d1-477b7c720853" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_bcf5ffd7-173a-4bf2-a728-3b12a126a8a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d9b10d66-7ac7-4abb-a2f6-c064d5f87f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_bcf5ffd7-173a-4bf2-a728-3b12a126a8a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_1e66443e-d7fb-4feb-a75f-fe9ffe327e0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d9b10d66-7ac7-4abb-a2f6-c064d5f87f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_1e66443e-d7fb-4feb-a75f-fe9ffe327e0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_c46e7fb6-a68b-45cc-975e-a9d273bbe381" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e796a1ff-95ae-4a09-ad3b-dd7a0bb25a0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_c46e7fb6-a68b-45cc-975e-a9d273bbe381" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e796a1ff-95ae-4a09-ad3b-dd7a0bb25a0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5b2f7a75-654f-47fb-844d-0ed626fed562" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e796a1ff-95ae-4a09-ad3b-dd7a0bb25a0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5b2f7a75-654f-47fb-844d-0ed626fed562" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5b2f7a75-654f-47fb-844d-0ed626fed562_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5b2f7a75-654f-47fb-844d-0ed626fed562" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5b2f7a75-654f-47fb-844d-0ed626fed562_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84d4b5bd-2662-451d-91d2-93ca163b51f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5b2f7a75-654f-47fb-844d-0ed626fed562" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84d4b5bd-2662-451d-91d2-93ca163b51f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_186205a3-f813-43b8-ba71-45e334b4bb05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84d4b5bd-2662-451d-91d2-93ca163b51f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_186205a3-f813-43b8-ba71-45e334b4bb05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_005aa78f-d53a-4afa-a1ed-2c3db59414d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84d4b5bd-2662-451d-91d2-93ca163b51f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_005aa78f-d53a-4afa-a1ed-2c3db59414d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_c55c5b21-49c7-455f-b3b4-c314faefef25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e796a1ff-95ae-4a09-ad3b-dd7a0bb25a0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_c55c5b21-49c7-455f-b3b4-c314faefef25" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_c55c5b21-49c7-455f-b3b4-c314faefef25_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_c55c5b21-49c7-455f-b3b4-c314faefef25" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_c55c5b21-49c7-455f-b3b4-c314faefef25_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_99fa1f7e-8495-4c97-bd87-4b99f8807dce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_c55c5b21-49c7-455f-b3b4-c314faefef25" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_99fa1f7e-8495-4c97-bd87-4b99f8807dce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_6171a350-92a4-428b-87db-5e145398733e" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_99fa1f7e-8495-4c97-bd87-4b99f8807dce" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_6171a350-92a4-428b-87db-5e145398733e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_264ba496-33d1-4389-90fb-a8affeeeddca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e796a1ff-95ae-4a09-ad3b-dd7a0bb25a0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_264ba496-33d1-4389-90fb-a8affeeeddca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_264ba496-33d1-4389-90fb-a8affeeeddca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_264ba496-33d1-4389-90fb-a8affeeeddca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_264ba496-33d1-4389-90fb-a8affeeeddca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df72cee9-9787-46b0-9467-7f1cfd217a71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_264ba496-33d1-4389-90fb-a8affeeeddca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df72cee9-9787-46b0-9467-7f1cfd217a71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_5dc6224c-416a-4e29-ad02-e64c8e579ffc" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df72cee9-9787-46b0-9467-7f1cfd217a71" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_5dc6224c-416a-4e29-ad02-e64c8e579ffc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_a5839d29-a076-49a2-8c53-74840d5e6d1e" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df72cee9-9787-46b0-9467-7f1cfd217a71" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_a5839d29-a076-49a2-8c53-74840d5e6d1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_7947aff6-61df-478a-bddf-07a99205c060" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_df72cee9-9787-46b0-9467-7f1cfd217a71" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_7947aff6-61df-478a-bddf-07a99205c060" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_4fbb8a42-f09f-4855-b927-381b7b5c61bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_c46e7fb6-a68b-45cc-975e-a9d273bbe381" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_4fbb8a42-f09f-4855-b927-381b7b5c61bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7b9a5387-1f84-456d-9e82-7b2db1909aa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7b9a5387-1f84-456d-9e82-7b2db1909aa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7c082854-0e33-4ea9-b526-3cf7118160da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7b9a5387-1f84-456d-9e82-7b2db1909aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7c082854-0e33-4ea9-b526-3cf7118160da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7c082854-0e33-4ea9-b526-3cf7118160da_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7c082854-0e33-4ea9-b526-3cf7118160da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7c082854-0e33-4ea9-b526-3cf7118160da_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5a2ff010-6059-420a-9b82-31bc3a61e3e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7c082854-0e33-4ea9-b526-3cf7118160da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5a2ff010-6059-420a-9b82-31bc3a61e3e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_e5882303-0533-4b01-bd02-1b688978124d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5a2ff010-6059-420a-9b82-31bc3a61e3e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_e5882303-0533-4b01-bd02-1b688978124d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_a1590493-b745-4d9b-b147-90bb4e7c8522" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5a2ff010-6059-420a-9b82-31bc3a61e3e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_a1590493-b745-4d9b-b147-90bb4e7c8522" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_d2705d56-24d2-4afb-a167-d0b0840cef0d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5a2ff010-6059-420a-9b82-31bc3a61e3e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_d2705d56-24d2-4afb-a167-d0b0840cef0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ead8d625-6171-4ad2-a407-37653ec2a896" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7b9a5387-1f84-456d-9e82-7b2db1909aa8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ead8d625-6171-4ad2-a407-37653ec2a896" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ead8d625-6171-4ad2-a407-37653ec2a896_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ead8d625-6171-4ad2-a407-37653ec2a896" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ead8d625-6171-4ad2-a407-37653ec2a896_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_47f881da-2000-40c1-8799-9d4d34f03fe8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ead8d625-6171-4ad2-a407-37653ec2a896" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_47f881da-2000-40c1-8799-9d4d34f03fe8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_4ae88d55-d3d2-4de8-aa7a-d601df0fda89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_47f881da-2000-40c1-8799-9d4d34f03fe8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_4ae88d55-d3d2-4de8-aa7a-d601df0fda89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_afb9dbec-aab2-437c-a6fd-2d26d5eae4e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_afb9dbec-aab2-437c-a6fd-2d26d5eae4e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingTaxesAndPurses_a2c968be-179b-4fb7-81e9-d131f6e3747d" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingTaxesAndPurses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingTaxesAndPurses_a2c968be-179b-4fb7-81e9-d131f6e3747d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_aa1a93e9-2eb0-4460-9036-46a26505afe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_aa1a93e9-2eb0-4460-9036-46a26505afe9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_b4037f5d-e994-438f-b73d-fe595b0402ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_b4037f5d-e994-438f-b73d-fe595b0402ff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_09850f30-f35b-4348-a497-24225d462ae7" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_ContentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_09850f30-f35b-4348-a497-24225d462ae7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_f885e673-e7ea-42c8-9e6e-90c90b9f6cab" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_f885e673-e7ea-42c8-9e6e-90c90b9f6cab" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations_24bdae9c-f2bc-4a0b-96ac-d7d3d030271e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations_24bdae9c-f2bc-4a0b-96ac-d7d3d030271e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseTaxes_c84143bb-61dd-4a91-8307-366920f87803" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseTaxes_c84143bb-61dd-4a91-8307-366920f87803" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_bf8205b4-cbf4-41cc-be5b-059f014fde16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_bf8205b4-cbf4-41cc-be5b-059f014fde16" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_4bc561b7-aad0-4a2b-9f48-3720df23d7df" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_4bc561b7-aad0-4a2b-9f48-3720df23d7df" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_c99c91c1-4ab9-4d04-a5b0-b3eef72c336c" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ee7af086-ea72-44b3-8b0a-965e4c8d3d19" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_c99c91c1-4ab9-4d04-a5b0-b3eef72c336c" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7adf1c27-40a8-4244-803f-a1f5d935263c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7adf1c27-40a8-4244-803f-a1f5d935263c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_00c81326-c380-45cc-b873-36328d2abe3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7adf1c27-40a8-4244-803f-a1f5d935263c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_00c81326-c380-45cc-b873-36328d2abe3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_00c81326-c380-45cc-b873-36328d2abe3f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_00c81326-c380-45cc-b873-36328d2abe3f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_00c81326-c380-45cc-b873-36328d2abe3f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_61e14ce0-888d-4abd-bcb7-64a09945bef6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_00c81326-c380-45cc-b873-36328d2abe3f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_61e14ce0-888d-4abd-bcb7-64a09945bef6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_8d4ddb22-263a-4c0c-935a-faeebd76a660" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_61e14ce0-888d-4abd-bcb7-64a09945bef6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_8d4ddb22-263a-4c0c-935a-faeebd76a660" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_d980fa23-2e0a-4c66-9993-acb2f3d7b6eb" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_61e14ce0-888d-4abd-bcb7-64a09945bef6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_d980fa23-2e0a-4c66-9993-acb2f3d7b6eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_76ef624a-2565-448c-8a43-e95216068437" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_61e14ce0-888d-4abd-bcb7-64a09945bef6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_76ef624a-2565-448c-8a43-e95216068437" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a91b41da-57da-48a9-a53a-789fd282f3e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7adf1c27-40a8-4244-803f-a1f5d935263c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a91b41da-57da-48a9-a53a-789fd282f3e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a91b41da-57da-48a9-a53a-789fd282f3e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a91b41da-57da-48a9-a53a-789fd282f3e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a91b41da-57da-48a9-a53a-789fd282f3e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5ffa2997-74c0-4df2-a600-c823077bf500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a91b41da-57da-48a9-a53a-789fd282f3e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5ffa2997-74c0-4df2-a600-c823077bf500" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_b9a9cf75-eee3-4e67-9110-f8a561e759e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5ffa2997-74c0-4df2-a600-c823077bf500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_b9a9cf75-eee3-4e67-9110-f8a561e759e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_64728b3e-8e60-453b-9472-c1c60515f868" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5ffa2997-74c0-4df2-a600-c823077bf500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_64728b3e-8e60-453b-9472-c1c60515f868" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_26a1dbb4-4516-4c88-bd83-b6d1d5573c60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_26a1dbb4-4516-4c88-bd83-b6d1d5573c60" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_c7b8d1d5-308f-4e15-abca-5c84615bb8c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_c7b8d1d5-308f-4e15-abca-5c84615bb8c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_4982289a-215d-4392-80ee-e13681e30de6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_4982289a-215d-4392-80ee-e13681e30de6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_3cfa2a33-e371-4716-b81c-6765a0e21dec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_3cfa2a33-e371-4716-b81c-6765a0e21dec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationandAmortization_19a61dd6-6b43-4dde-bce0-ceda1dec40b7" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationandAmortization_19a61dd6-6b43-4dde-bce0-ceda1dec40b7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_61fbe5af-a2f9-4579-957f-173ce7fa82c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_61fbe5af-a2f9-4579-957f-173ce7fa82c3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_f9eecc0b-71e4-4f3e-ba42-228d7e41163d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_f9eecc0b-71e4-4f3e-ba42-228d7e41163d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_6387c957-8915-4065-b629-e7a0a59d59ed" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_OtherExpensesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_6387c957-8915-4065-b629-e7a0a59d59ed" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_ada87d55-5797-4fdc-be77-522bf02de49a" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_ada87d55-5797-4fdc-be77-522bf02de49a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_03672d74-cac9-4d8d-bda7-1b2820b597dd" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_03672d74-cac9-4d8d-bda7-1b2820b597dd" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Otherchargesrecoveriesnet_be346aa6-9f95-4ebb-81dc-3c4015b94831" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_Otherchargesrecoveriesnet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Otherchargesrecoveriesnet_be346aa6-9f95-4ebb-81dc-3c4015b94831" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GainOnArlingtonTransaction_4e28bd40-9ef5-4935-a161-9c900356555a" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GainOnArlingtonTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GainOnArlingtonTransaction_4e28bd40-9ef5-4935-a161-9c900356555a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustmentstoEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_90849538-a46c-4ce0-9f11-9ac4c5765596" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_AdjustmentstoEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustmentstoEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_90849538-a46c-4ce0-9f11-9ac4c5765596" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_4d9c1d2f-4c5f-4fc6-8542-0b827db7a313" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6c36953a-e0d1-44c4-b4a5-087569061822" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_4d9c1d2f-4c5f-4fc6-8542-0b827db7a313" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.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_c32ce0c5-48b0-4525-ba69-6d4cfa91e634" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_6ea71174-e3e6-4523-a6f0-370eb35ce18c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_c32ce0c5-48b0-4525-ba69-6d4cfa91e634" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_6ea71174-e3e6-4523-a6f0-370eb35ce18c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9515acde-a2d9-4cc2-81d7-0c9b994cb42d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_6ea71174-e3e6-4523-a6f0-370eb35ce18c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9515acde-a2d9-4cc2-81d7-0c9b994cb42d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9515acde-a2d9-4cc2-81d7-0c9b994cb42d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9515acde-a2d9-4cc2-81d7-0c9b994cb42d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9515acde-a2d9-4cc2-81d7-0c9b994cb42d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_dc4e8223-e109-45b4-803b-5ec9b65d156b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9515acde-a2d9-4cc2-81d7-0c9b994cb42d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_dc4e8223-e109-45b4-803b-5ec9b65d156b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_bcb0176e-1b4c-42af-925c-00714dd8a90c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_dc4e8223-e109-45b4-803b-5ec9b65d156b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_bcb0176e-1b4c-42af-925c-00714dd8a90c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_f4ff26fe-4b8b-4715-b19f-52caabaa203b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_dc4e8223-e109-45b4-803b-5ec9b65d156b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_f4ff26fe-4b8b-4715-b19f-52caabaa203b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0c5f66ce-a03e-42eb-b17c-12379a3455ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_6ea71174-e3e6-4523-a6f0-370eb35ce18c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0c5f66ce-a03e-42eb-b17c-12379a3455ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0c5f66ce-a03e-42eb-b17c-12379a3455ba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0c5f66ce-a03e-42eb-b17c-12379a3455ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0c5f66ce-a03e-42eb-b17c-12379a3455ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d8a086cf-9d8e-428e-8e57-ef22897966cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0c5f66ce-a03e-42eb-b17c-12379a3455ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d8a086cf-9d8e-428e-8e57-ef22897966cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_0a59a2dd-da52-44a7-a834-35f1337330f9" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d8a086cf-9d8e-428e-8e57-ef22897966cd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_0a59a2dd-da52-44a7-a834-35f1337330f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_69d3da89-ed78-4f5b-ac29-0648ac1bd479" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d8a086cf-9d8e-428e-8e57-ef22897966cd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_69d3da89-ed78-4f5b-ac29-0648ac1bd479" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_b5f95827-8102-4513-b04d-b9198f52ac57" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d8a086cf-9d8e-428e-8e57-ef22897966cd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_b5f95827-8102-4513-b04d-b9198f52ac57" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_7cabb622-5207-496b-8707-c2eb5fbbd012" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_c32ce0c5-48b0-4525-ba69-6d4cfa91e634" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_7cabb622-5207-496b-8707-c2eb5fbbd012" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions_ca4e63d4-d5ef-4b52-8bcb-ecf18d0f0737" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_c32ce0c5-48b0-4525-ba69-6d4cfa91e634" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions_ca4e63d4-d5ef-4b52-8bcb-ecf18d0f0737" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#SubsequentEventDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_e71c93ad-38ac-414c-b0e6-c8b6e223bad3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_9cfab0da-3789-4439-b378-2090b09f3d98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_e71c93ad-38ac-414c-b0e6-c8b6e223bad3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_9cfab0da-3789-4439-b378-2090b09f3d98" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_5209c302-9300-45a1-9598-4ba1c002debc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_9cfab0da-3789-4439-b378-2090b09f3d98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_5209c302-9300-45a1-9598-4ba1c002debc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5209c302-9300-45a1-9598-4ba1c002debc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_5209c302-9300-45a1-9598-4ba1c002debc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5209c302-9300-45a1-9598-4ba1c002debc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_76266b32-f5b1-42f3-890d-16280bd2c2f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_5209c302-9300-45a1-9598-4ba1c002debc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_76266b32-f5b1-42f3-890d-16280bd2c2f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3fc2706e-d626-460c-bbcc-f975c0d5aa5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_76266b32-f5b1-42f3-890d-16280bd2c2f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3fc2706e-d626-460c-bbcc-f975c0d5aa5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_37fc2a1a-4e3e-4fcf-b788-38f73bfcf51f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_9cfab0da-3789-4439-b378-2090b09f3d98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_37fc2a1a-4e3e-4fcf-b788-38f73bfcf51f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_37fc2a1a-4e3e-4fcf-b788-38f73bfcf51f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_37fc2a1a-4e3e-4fcf-b788-38f73bfcf51f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_37fc2a1a-4e3e-4fcf-b788-38f73bfcf51f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3adf057d-656b-43c0-869a-af4cd3251418" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_37fc2a1a-4e3e-4fcf-b788-38f73bfcf51f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3adf057d-656b-43c0-869a-af4cd3251418" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_a895d944-e74a-4793-b76f-bbec052bb987" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3adf057d-656b-43c0-869a-af4cd3251418" xlink:to="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_a895d944-e74a-4793-b76f-bbec052bb987" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_f4f18135-114c-4cab-b251-33a04beda70e" xlink:href="chdn-20240331.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_e71c93ad-38ac-414c-b0e6-c8b6e223bad3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_f4f18135-114c-4cab-b251-33a04beda70e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2023/ecd-2023.xsd#AwardTypeOnly"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
