greeksoup/ stock research

Churchill Downs Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 4 lowered, 2 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA and revenue set records: Net revenue rose $54.5 million to $683.0 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose $27.0 million to a record $262.3 million for a third quarter. Source
  • Net income fell on impairment: Net income attributable to CDI was $38.1 million against $65.4 million, and diluted EPS was $0.54 against $0.86. The company tied the decline to a non-cash impairment of Chasers' gaming rights. Source
  • Racing revenue and EBITDA climbed: Segment revenue rose $53.3 million to $305.7 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose $23.4 million to $116.4 million. Virginia HRM venues supplied $30.1 million of the revenue gain and Kentucky HRM venues $20.9 million. Source
  • Buybacks of $53.5 million: The company repurchased 515,527 shares in the quarter, leaving about $461.5 million of authority under the July 2025 program. The second-quarter buyback was $250.4 million. Source
  • Dividend raised seven percent: The Board approved an annual dividend of $0.438 per share, a seven percent increase, marking the fifteenth consecutive year of increases. Source
  • Casino Salem acquisition completed: The company completed the purchase of 90% of Casino Salem for $180 million on August 27 and began running a temporary mini casino at Rockingham Park. Source
  • Capital project plan reduced: The 2025 planned capital project total is $200-240 million, against $250-290 million in the prior release. Source

“Net income attributable to CDI of $38.1 million, down $27.3 million or 42% driven by a one-time, non-cash impairment”

Churchill Downs Inc., press release

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Capital projects Source2025 planned spend, total$200-240 millionLowered from $250-290 million
Capital projects Source2025 planned spend$5 millionLowered from $15-20 million
Capital projects Source2025 planned spend$20-25 millionLowered from $30-35 million
Capital projects Source2025 planned spend$55-60 millionLowered from $75-85 million
Capital projects Source2027 target completion, 2025 spend$5-10 millionNew
Capital projects SourceApril 2028 target completion, 2025 spend$0-5 millionNew
Income taxes Sourcecurrent year$91.2 million deferred tax assetKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: The 2025 planned capital project total fell to $200-240 million from $250-290 million. Source
  • New: The Casino Salem acquisition closed on August 27, 2025, after the definitive agreement announced in July. Source
  • New guidance: A Casino Salem project target of 2027 with a $5-10 million 2025 spend is listed, where the prior release showed TBD. Source
  • New guidance: The Victory Run project is listed for the first time, with an April 2028 target and a $0-5 million 2025 spend. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Adjusted EBITDA and revenue set records: Net revenue rose $54.5 million to $683.0 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose $27.0 million to a record $262.3 million for a third quarter. Source
  • Net income fell on impairment: Net income attributable to CDI was $38.1 million against $65.4 million, and diluted EPS was $0.54 against $0.86. The company tied the decline to a non-cash impairment of Chasers' gaming rights. Source
  • Adjusted earnings rose modestly: Adjusted net income attributable to CDI was $77.1 million, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.09 against $0.97. Operating results added $3.4 million after tax, and lower interest expense added $2.9 million, partly offset by $1.0 million less equity income and $0.3 million from United Tote noncontrolling interest. Source
  • Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA higher: Nine-month net revenue was $2,260.0 million against $2,110.1 million, and nine-month Adjusted EBITDA was $958.3 million against $922.6 million. Source

Live and Historical Racing

  • Racing revenue and EBITDA climbed: Segment revenue rose $53.3 million to $305.7 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose $23.4 million to $116.4 million. Virginia HRM venues supplied $30.1 million of the revenue gain and Kentucky HRM venues $20.9 million. Source
  • Northern Virginia venues led gains: Northern Virginia venues added $26.0 million of net revenue. Their Adjusted EBITDA gain of $11.3 million included $3.5 million from a one-time insurance recovery tied to a delayed 2024 opening. Source
  • Western Kentucky venues grew most: Western Kentucky venues added $12.2 million of revenue, Louisville $3.5 million, Northern Kentucky $3.0 million and Southwestern Kentucky $2.2 million. Kentucky HRM Adjusted EBITDA rose $12.4 million. Source

“Record third quarter net revenue of $683.0 million, up $54.5 million or 9%”

Churchill Downs Inc., press release

Wagering Services and Solutions

  • Wagering revenue and EBITDA rose: Segment revenue rose $8.5 million to $127.2 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose $3.5 million to $46.0 million. TwinSpires Horse Racing added $5.3 million of revenue. Source
  • Exacta gained from new HRMs: Exacta added $2.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA from incremental HRMs in Virginia and New Hampshire, and sports betting added $0.4 million. Source
  • TwinSpires handle increased: TwinSpires Horse Racing total handle was $501.7 million for the quarter, against $469.1 million a year earlier. Source

Gaming

  • Gaming revenue fell on Louisiana: Segment revenue fell $4.8 million to $265.5 million, mainly from ceasing HRM operations in Louisiana, while Adjusted EBITDA was flat at $123.3 million. Source
  • Equity investments added modestly: Equity investments added $0.5 million to segment Adjusted EBITDA. Miami Valley Gaming added $1.1 million and Rivers Des Plaines subtracted $0.6 million. Wholly owned properties fell $0.5 million. Source
  • New York and other properties grew: Properties in New York, Maine, Indiana and Iowa added $1.3 million of net revenue. Source

“The expected reduction in cash paid taxes as a result of these new tax provisions will increase cash flow from operating activities.”

Churchill Downs Inc., press release

Costs, charges and expenses

  • Impairment and transaction costs rose: Asset impairments were $45.1 million against $3.9 million. Transaction, pre-opening and other expenses rose $1.3 million after tax. Source
  • Racing operating costs rose: Pari-mutuel taxes and purses for Live and Historical Racing were $79.8 million against $65.3 million. Segment operating expense was $205.6 million against $171.3 million. Source
  • Pre-opening expense fell: Pre-opening expense was $2.4 million in the quarter, against $7.8 million a year earlier. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Buybacks of $53.5 million: The company repurchased 515,527 shares in the quarter, leaving about $461.5 million of authority under the July 2025 program. The second-quarter buyback was $250.4 million. Source
  • Net bank leverage at 4.1x: Net bank leverage was 4.1x at September 30, 2025, against 4.2x at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Dividend raised seven percent: The Board approved an annual dividend of $0.438 per share, a seven percent increase, marking the fifteenth consecutive year of increases. Source
  • Tax law lowers cash taxes: The company said H.R. 1 brings retroactive provisions, including 100% bonus depreciation and a 30% of EBITDA interest limit, with a significant favorable effect on current-year cash tax expense. Source

Acquisitions, expansions and projects

  • Casino Salem acquisition completed: The company completed the purchase of 90% of Casino Salem for $180 million on August 27 and began running a temporary mini casino at Rockingham Park. Source
  • Rosie's Richmond gained machines: The Rosie's Richmond expansion on August 6 added 450 incremental historical racing machines in Richmond, Virginia. Source
  • Roseshire parlor opened in Henrico: Roseshire Gaming Parlor opened on September 29 in Henrico County, Virginia, with 175 historical racing machines. Source
  • Capital project plan reduced: The 2025 planned capital project total is $200-240 million, against $250-290 million in the prior release. Source

Coming up, as management said on 22 October 2025

  • NBC primetime Oaks broadcast in 2026: NBC Sports will show the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time in 2026. Source
  • Finish Line Suites due April 2026: Finish Line Suites and The Mansion at Churchill Downs are targeted for completion in April 2026. Source
  • Dividend payable January 6, 2026: The $0.438 per share dividend is payable January 6, 2026, to holders of record on December 5, 2025. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
TwinSpires Horse Racing total handle (three months) Source$501.7 million (prior year $469.1 million)
Historical racing machines added at Rosie's Richmond Source450 incremental historical racing machines
Historical racing machines at Roseshire Gaming Parlor Source175 historical racing machines

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: The company recorded a one-time, non-cash impairment of Chasers' gaming rights, which raised after-tax impairment charges by $31.0 million. Source
  • Operational: Gaming segment revenue fell because HRM operations in Louisiana ceased, reducing revenue by $6.1 million. Source
  • Operational: Pari-mutuel taxes and purses in Live and Historical Racing rose to $79.8 million, from $65.3 million a year earlier. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: This release shows the Richmond HRM expansion as completed, against a third quarter 2025 target in the prior schedule. Source
  • Met: This release shows the Henrico (Roseshire) HRM venue as completed, and the venue opened September 29, 2025. Source
  • Not stated: The target completion remains First Quarter 2026 in this release; no status is given. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.