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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:8d939b51-d150-4357-bfd5-6c73a6a3fb67,g:91580eb5-685e-435d-9ccb-49c965efc98a-->
<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-20220630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" id="i2830ec523d354ddfbb0e19385765280f_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_d97dd5b6-b0a7-43ef-ac97-1dcbf01498a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_d97dd5b6-b0a7-43ef-ac97-1dcbf01498a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_5306003c-517a-4cbe-8f22-e34543dd2da4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_d97dd5b6-b0a7-43ef-ac97-1dcbf01498a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_5306003c-517a-4cbe-8f22-e34543dd2da4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_20b2fc4c-b077-4ee2-a1f9-a6a9cb45ee96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_20b2fc4c-b077-4ee2-a1f9-a6a9cb45ee96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_712a2530-bcf3-4f08-8b3b-f7303ba9cb35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_712a2530-bcf3-4f08-8b3b-f7303ba9cb35" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_3fc9ddbf-6922-4501-b909-a3b4d78a3df1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_3fc9ddbf-6922-4501-b909-a3b4d78a3df1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_625388cd-8046-4403-891e-2f00cf415c10" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_Transactionexpensenet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_625388cd-8046-4403-891e-2f00cf415c10" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_b8e16340-2c89-40c5-9346-f215dcf5e820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_ec232950-1031-47b7-b11e-55352fe2e8b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_b8e16340-2c89-40c5-9346-f215dcf5e820" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_564b0afc-f702-464e-874c-1e5e99bf9390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_564b0afc-f702-464e-874c-1e5e99bf9390" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_ca758cf7-565f-4527-a664-0560b15949e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_ca758cf7-565f-4527-a664-0560b15949e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_604a7b8e-f625-4e04-b863-5cffa329c738" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_604a7b8e-f625-4e04-b863-5cffa329c738" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_66468b68-6818-4ebd-adf4-0b51b3ac7b57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_66468b68-6818-4ebd-adf4-0b51b3ac7b57" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_3288a80b-14b9-499a-adaa-1aa86533c307" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_3288a80b-14b9-499a-adaa-1aa86533c307" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_1fc8576d-9724-4806-9c33-429cbefdb526" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_8d000d48-1bc7-470e-9e3c-db9408f880be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_1fc8576d-9724-4806-9c33-429cbefdb526" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_3e5da3c7-afa2-4ca6-a8d4-cb4992938612" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_3e5da3c7-afa2-4ca6-a8d4-cb4992938612" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_aca38d3a-71b4-45ed-9f70-1e1ec6e2d80f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_aca38d3a-71b4-45ed-9f70-1e1ec6e2d80f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_13d900a7-cda4-4955-be27-2f6783a65cfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_13d900a7-cda4-4955-be27-2f6783a65cfe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_8ef066f7-c257-4598-969b-3efb56bea52a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_8ef066f7-c257-4598-969b-3efb56bea52a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_693bf678-2d32-4a78-812b-55b119a1404d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_8ef066f7-c257-4598-969b-3efb56bea52a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_693bf678-2d32-4a78-812b-55b119a1404d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_aff6f476-b7bb-43be-b100-b8567d0d6b7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_8ef066f7-c257-4598-969b-3efb56bea52a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_aff6f476-b7bb-43be-b100-b8567d0d6b7b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_0d9ae3c4-d740-409d-849e-b5ed35a9cefa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_0d9ae3c4-d740-409d-849e-b5ed35a9cefa" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_c3422bde-a3ad-44a2-9bf3-9941b515db47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_0d9ae3c4-d740-409d-849e-b5ed35a9cefa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_c3422bde-a3ad-44a2-9bf3-9941b515db47" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_38b54959-7ec3-4711-bab4-6526690df140" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_0d9ae3c4-d740-409d-849e-b5ed35a9cefa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_38b54959-7ec3-4711-bab4-6526690df140" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a250f3ae-df7a-4733-9028-4cbb32b46d17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_12078e75-906e-4abb-8d6e-28474a9e8f6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a250f3ae-df7a-4733-9028-4cbb32b46d17" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_6d5a5605-c97f-4fdf-9faa-8493ff55698c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a250f3ae-df7a-4733-9028-4cbb32b46d17" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_6d5a5605-c97f-4fdf-9faa-8493ff55698c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6d5a5605-c97f-4fdf-9faa-8493ff55698c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_6d5a5605-c97f-4fdf-9faa-8493ff55698c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6d5a5605-c97f-4fdf-9faa-8493ff55698c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2fc7b9f2-30a7-4bc4-bf87-971e64d3dc9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_6d5a5605-c97f-4fdf-9faa-8493ff55698c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2fc7b9f2-30a7-4bc4-bf87-971e64d3dc9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_cb6544d8-a0ed-480d-90ae-3fb6ccc79750" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2fc7b9f2-30a7-4bc4-bf87-971e64d3dc9b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_cb6544d8-a0ed-480d-90ae-3fb6ccc79750" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7dddcbef-62fe-4dc8-aa25-82500fdaf459" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2fc7b9f2-30a7-4bc4-bf87-971e64d3dc9b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7dddcbef-62fe-4dc8-aa25-82500fdaf459" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_9aff4402-42c4-4ef9-b93c-487018db5232" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2fc7b9f2-30a7-4bc4-bf87-971e64d3dc9b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_9aff4402-42c4-4ef9-b93c-487018db5232" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_4ee8e0b1-e91f-402c-a21c-170444cf2eff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2fc7b9f2-30a7-4bc4-bf87-971e64d3dc9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_4ee8e0b1-e91f-402c-a21c-170444cf2eff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="ifb2fae0b66534c05aae63f2e802b78ec_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_da0e835c-c330-42ac-afe3-a90a34b850d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_da0e835c-c330-42ac-afe3-a90a34b850d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_952b2036-5f6d-4a32-9378-87be943fd94d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_952b2036-5f6d-4a32-9378-87be943fd94d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_b29cd41e-b4b6-4af4-bbf9-355f24bca0f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_b29cd41e-b4b6-4af4-bbf9-355f24bca0f4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7e75dfd6-f934-4013-a8dd-1b64bf7a29f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7e75dfd6-f934-4013-a8dd-1b64bf7a29f8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_b695587a-51ab-42c8-88a4-89b7b3aa0b07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_b695587a-51ab-42c8-88a4-89b7b3aa0b07" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther_3ee01cca-b392-4699-a407-96bcb9b9ca7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther_3ee01cca-b392-4699-a407-96bcb9b9ca7c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_00124cc9-2efb-4021-8c44-4ab4604f61b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_00124cc9-2efb-4021-8c44-4ab4604f61b8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_4b56e30f-9551-451f-89ed-db4205fefae4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_4b56e30f-9551-451f-89ed-db4205fefae4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings_66b8bc35-5e48-49c6-9e8d-c030302d2dd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings_66b8bc35-5e48-49c6-9e8d-c030302d2dd7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures_8fd1949b-5e46-49a1-b98f-a10e8f596f92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures_8fd1949b-5e46-49a1-b98f-a10e8f596f92" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_e7e52053-efc1-4d09-ae48-0d55a84bbd9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_e7e52053-efc1-4d09-ae48-0d55a84bbd9a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_eb1e54f9-ad47-433e-9f82-f12bc43cd275" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8f2643f3-d179-4566-8951-08c80add2ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_eb1e54f9-ad47-433e-9f82-f12bc43cd275" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_7a74be2a-473b-403f-ab59-82a569a9e6dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_4f57fafc-a424-422b-996e-fa75a1b4b5ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_eef3de1c-b815-449d-9cf5-a11b781bbf6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_da0e835c-c330-42ac-afe3-a90a34b850d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_eef3de1c-b815-449d-9cf5-a11b781bbf6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a4f098ea-57b3-4db9-a362-a5ec3f43ad1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_eef3de1c-b815-449d-9cf5-a11b781bbf6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a4f098ea-57b3-4db9-a362-a5ec3f43ad1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a4f098ea-57b3-4db9-a362-a5ec3f43ad1b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a4f098ea-57b3-4db9-a362-a5ec3f43ad1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a4f098ea-57b3-4db9-a362-a5ec3f43ad1b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_09993286-3cfe-4e17-b5b3-616133cc2a0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a4f098ea-57b3-4db9-a362-a5ec3f43ad1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_09993286-3cfe-4e17-b5b3-616133cc2a0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_f9106b9b-7f1d-456b-81ec-d95517d813ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_09993286-3cfe-4e17-b5b3-616133cc2a0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_f9106b9b-7f1d-456b-81ec-d95517d813ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_c84c1627-a1d2-4b15-8f0c-29d5c4899447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_09993286-3cfe-4e17-b5b3-616133cc2a0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_c84c1627-a1d2-4b15-8f0c-29d5c4899447" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_67982336-4969-4d2e-acb6-aa4c888d5a13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_09993286-3cfe-4e17-b5b3-616133cc2a0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_67982336-4969-4d2e-acb6-aa4c888d5a13" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessCalderLandSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessCalderLandSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessCalderLandSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib6b9685d532b40e8a1a640538b64ac1b_DescriptionofBusinessCalderLandSaleDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfLand_a7d874f5-bce1-4d2a-9054-7ca7dd90e33c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfLand"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfLand_a7d874f5-bce1-4d2a-9054-7ca7dd90e33c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_f164a1b0-e073-46b8-8ed6-402e304bfb61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_f164a1b0-e073-46b8-8ed6-402e304bfb61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationPerAcre_5e95e3a1-3a5d-47ef-8f4b-3c7fd5e1f479" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationPerAcre"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationPerAcre_5e95e3a1-3a5d-47ef-8f4b-3c7fd5e1f479" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_6e6289b3-4108-4922-aa03-1adec490bd45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_6e6289b3-4108-4922-aa03-1adec490bd45" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_ab66651b-c871-440a-a96c-9a1b61bd404c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_ab66651b-c871-440a-a96c-9a1b61bd404c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0ef01e99-b238-4dff-a126-2f0b2dbe3517" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_21925926-5200-4f79-8b1d-38d8bd15a6ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0ef01e99-b238-4dff-a126-2f0b2dbe3517" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_fc08ae70-e06d-49bb-9306-67a73049e260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0ef01e99-b238-4dff-a126-2f0b2dbe3517" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_fc08ae70-e06d-49bb-9306-67a73049e260" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_fc08ae70-e06d-49bb-9306-67a73049e260_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_fc08ae70-e06d-49bb-9306-67a73049e260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_fc08ae70-e06d-49bb-9306-67a73049e260_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_783d9c3f-95ef-40ff-9957-6a34258d2876" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_fc08ae70-e06d-49bb-9306-67a73049e260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_783d9c3f-95ef-40ff-9957-6a34258d2876" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_05e8132d-363a-4d4b-9482-c5025f4df2b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_783d9c3f-95ef-40ff-9957-6a34258d2876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_05e8132d-363a-4d4b-9482-c5025f4df2b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_79dc0fff-30a0-4a7a-b421-7858e0ce957e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0ef01e99-b238-4dff-a126-2f0b2dbe3517" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_79dc0fff-30a0-4a7a-b421-7858e0ce957e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_79dc0fff-30a0-4a7a-b421-7858e0ce957e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_79dc0fff-30a0-4a7a-b421-7858e0ce957e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_79dc0fff-30a0-4a7a-b421-7858e0ce957e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_c723f606-837c-407b-82cf-722b6a1fc635" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_79dc0fff-30a0-4a7a-b421-7858e0ce957e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_c723f606-837c-407b-82cf-722b6a1fc635" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CalderPropertyMember_e7108005-8e16-424d-a50d-31697bc228ac" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CalderPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_c723f606-837c-407b-82cf-722b6a1fc635" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CalderPropertyMember_e7108005-8e16-424d-a50d-31697bc228ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/NaturalDisasterDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#NaturalDisasterDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/NaturalDisasterDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if9f5d94cb3d14c0fa413cc6428d93280_NaturalDisasterDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfOffTrackBettingFacilitiesDamaged_05d20a85-c43e-45e0-a94b-8251bd4c0da1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NumberOfOffTrackBettingFacilitiesDamaged"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfOffTrackBettingFacilitiesDamaged_05d20a85-c43e-45e0-a94b-8251bd4c0da1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfOffTrackBettingFacilitiesClosed_6af539f9-eedc-4e1c-9249-deed8708e8c9" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NumberOfOffTrackBettingFacilitiesClosed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfOffTrackBettingFacilitiesClosed_6af539f9-eedc-4e1c-9249-deed8708e8c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_fb8716fa-f20e-4375-8a54-c0450fd1c605" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_fb8716fa-f20e-4375-8a54-c0450fd1c605" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries_7c749013-f373-4a03-8ce5-cdb842a6694c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries_7c749013-f373-4a03-8ce5-cdb842a6694c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_a5acc781-3d17-46c7-a8f6-3896f84063c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_a5acc781-3d17-46c7-a8f6-3896f84063c7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_f21b42f1-1a8e-48d5-9c98-3a7e7b1dcf52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_b5d9a944-775c-4748-8984-2dcf0dc20809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_f21b42f1-1a8e-48d5-9c98-3a7e7b1dcf52" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_7b23e3c1-a853-4362-ba06-1dd2723e9c61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CausesOfIncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_f21b42f1-1a8e-48d5-9c98-3a7e7b1dcf52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_7b23e3c1-a853-4362-ba06-1dd2723e9c61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_7b23e3c1-a853-4362-ba06-1dd2723e9c61_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_7b23e3c1-a853-4362-ba06-1dd2723e9c61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_7b23e3c1-a853-4362-ba06-1dd2723e9c61_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_bb0816f6-0af0-444c-8ff8-1704a5f9c3bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForCatastropheClaimsByCatastrophicEventAxis_7b23e3c1-a853-4362-ba06-1dd2723e9c61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_bb0816f6-0af0-444c-8ff8-1704a5f9c3bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HurricaneMember_dacc6952-95c0-476a-a9a9-969c4cad446a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HurricaneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CatastrophicEventDomain_bb0816f6-0af0-444c-8ff8-1704a5f9c3bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HurricaneMember_dacc6952-95c0-476a-a9a9-969c4cad446a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CalderLandSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#CalderLandSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CalderLandSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i854ce2fbd4c2412f8e805983dd8f6333_CalderLandSaleDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfLand_00fce8fa-1ff3-449c-9cfd-c6e93eef7e1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfLand"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfLand_00fce8fa-1ff3-449c-9cfd-c6e93eef7e1a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_e1e1bea2-30c5-4062-8047-87951daf10e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_e1e1bea2-30c5-4062-8047-87951daf10e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationPerAcre_4bde64dc-d124-47c6-9e61-0eb45f288cc9" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationPerAcre"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationPerAcre_4bde64dc-d124-47c6-9e61-0eb45f288cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_2e1bcfaa-1718-4aa8-aac4-b1224716c03d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_2e1bcfaa-1718-4aa8-aac4-b1224716c03d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts_34f278e6-649b-459f-962b-34f03fa69a1e" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts_34f278e6-649b-459f-962b-34f03fa69a1e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_9fe709ef-d419-4003-972e-9256b0465aef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_9fe709ef-d419-4003-972e-9256b0465aef" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_2f798eed-1920-4227-9007-d262d2249f07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_2f798eed-1920-4227-9007-d262d2249f07" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredReverseLikeKindExchange_607534da-1b46-445d-89f2-187ac1a02899" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredReverseLikeKindExchange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredReverseLikeKindExchange_607534da-1b46-445d-89f2-187ac1a02899" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent_42f61058-2dda-436d-aa04-fb231f5da06e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent_42f61058-2dda-436d-aa04-fb231f5da06e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_5b0cc4b5-f5f5-4032-ae46-822649786116" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_e48d0755-2909-4439-b5e2-30e1d585e69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_5b0cc4b5-f5f5-4032-ae46-822649786116" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f13a6107-5a03-429f-945f-59eaf295c57d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_5b0cc4b5-f5f5-4032-ae46-822649786116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f13a6107-5a03-429f-945f-59eaf295c57d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f13a6107-5a03-429f-945f-59eaf295c57d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f13a6107-5a03-429f-945f-59eaf295c57d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f13a6107-5a03-429f-945f-59eaf295c57d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d78795ea-ea65-4a81-8c8f-96d8c05bcb3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f13a6107-5a03-429f-945f-59eaf295c57d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d78795ea-ea65-4a81-8c8f-96d8c05bcb3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_cec27a49-6eaa-431e-88b5-27afd06d9ffe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d78795ea-ea65-4a81-8c8f-96d8c05bcb3c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_cec27a49-6eaa-431e-88b5-27afd06d9ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_264a5401-405c-48fb-9eda-a4a14ff8fbc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_5b0cc4b5-f5f5-4032-ae46-822649786116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_264a5401-405c-48fb-9eda-a4a14ff8fbc8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_264a5401-405c-48fb-9eda-a4a14ff8fbc8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_264a5401-405c-48fb-9eda-a4a14ff8fbc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_264a5401-405c-48fb-9eda-a4a14ff8fbc8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_7b7aa760-f5ec-4079-9e4e-423d09082cc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_264a5401-405c-48fb-9eda-a4a14ff8fbc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_7b7aa760-f5ec-4079-9e4e-423d09082cc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CalderPropertyMember_08b0fbc9-d126-4b91-9182-b0819c4d4fc6" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CalderPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_7b7aa760-f5ec-4079-9e4e-423d09082cc6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CalderPropertyMember_08b0fbc9-d126-4b91-9182-b0819c4d4fc6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8576ca46-e217-42ef-806e-4c4087009c65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_5b0cc4b5-f5f5-4032-ae46-822649786116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8576ca46-e217-42ef-806e-4c4087009c65" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_8576ca46-e217-42ef-806e-4c4087009c65_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8576ca46-e217-42ef-806e-4c4087009c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_8576ca46-e217-42ef-806e-4c4087009c65_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b602565c-c616-4e9f-b93c-2d4d800b6814" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8576ca46-e217-42ef-806e-4c4087009c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b602565c-c616-4e9f-b93c-2d4d800b6814" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_7561ea17-5365-4909-beec-3d781f84ae96" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b602565c-c616-4e9f-b93c-2d4d800b6814" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_7561ea17-5365-4909-beec-3d781f84ae96" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TerreHautePropertyMember_782df86e-023e-4309-a2b2-6768291d3d1e" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TerreHautePropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b602565c-c616-4e9f-b93c-2d4d800b6814" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TerreHautePropertyMember_782df86e-023e-4309-a2b2-6768291d3d1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6c6948f5824441bb9b28fa0eb8d9e32b_DiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_c970538c-efb1-4fd1-b998-2b8db2cd3cb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLitigationSettlement_64b78ecf-ab70-4246-8e68-28b6fdffd0f1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLitigationSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_c970538c-efb1-4fd1-b998-2b8db2cd3cb5" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLitigationSettlement_64b78ecf-ab70-4246-8e68-28b6fdffd0f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfLand_3315e482-b9fc-4485-8acb-6782c5bd14c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfLand"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_c970538c-efb1-4fd1-b998-2b8db2cd3cb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfLand_3315e482-b9fc-4485-8acb-6782c5bd14c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_cc1db3e2-56bf-49b9-b688-b140e826c1a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_c970538c-efb1-4fd1-b998-2b8db2cd3cb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_cc1db3e2-56bf-49b9-b688-b140e826c1a9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_ef1f1fc3-c555-4fbf-bba1-a36a1703d61e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_c970538c-efb1-4fd1-b998-2b8db2cd3cb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_ef1f1fc3-c555-4fbf-bba1-a36a1703d61e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_3b4925f6-d2c5-4e5a-ac4a-8eec0bb8780e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_c970538c-efb1-4fd1-b998-2b8db2cd3cb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_3b4925f6-d2c5-4e5a-ac4a-8eec0bb8780e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_1fdf351d-ad74-490e-bd5d-1a68336c91cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_3b4925f6-d2c5-4e5a-ac4a-8eec0bb8780e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_1fdf351d-ad74-490e-bd5d-1a68336c91cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_1fdf351d-ad74-490e-bd5d-1a68336c91cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_1fdf351d-ad74-490e-bd5d-1a68336c91cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_1fdf351d-ad74-490e-bd5d-1a68336c91cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_490818c4-69c6-4ee6-9d7a-4ce85e3442f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_1fdf351d-ad74-490e-bd5d-1a68336c91cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_490818c4-69c6-4ee6-9d7a-4ce85e3442f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ArlingtonPropertyMember_d8d3204e-e2e8-4a2b-89ff-baf5504e5f9f" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_ArlingtonPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_490818c4-69c6-4ee6-9d7a-4ce85e3442f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ArlingtonPropertyMember_d8d3204e-e2e8-4a2b-89ff-baf5504e5f9f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ArlingtonInternationalRacecourseMember_7eea570a-7d8d-493d-aba4-74c1bcac535a" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_ArlingtonInternationalRacecourseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_490818c4-69c6-4ee6-9d7a-4ce85e3442f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ArlingtonInternationalRacecourseMember_7eea570a-7d8d-493d-aba4-74c1bcac535a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CalderPropertyMember_8da0198c-afad-4336-bdaf-09b2eac63581" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CalderPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_490818c4-69c6-4ee6-9d7a-4ce85e3442f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CalderPropertyMember_8da0198c-afad-4336-bdaf-09b2eac63581" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f7df1292-ec66-411b-84c3-c3baf012107e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_3b4925f6-d2c5-4e5a-ac4a-8eec0bb8780e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f7df1292-ec66-411b-84c3-c3baf012107e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f7df1292-ec66-411b-84c3-c3baf012107e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f7df1292-ec66-411b-84c3-c3baf012107e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f7df1292-ec66-411b-84c3-c3baf012107e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_177754cc-7fe9-46e5-93a3-ea39367c05e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f7df1292-ec66-411b-84c3-c3baf012107e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_177754cc-7fe9-46e5-93a3-ea39367c05e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_KaterAndThimmegowdaLitigationMember_082d75e3-048f-4382-9e79-67cc32afafd2" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_KaterAndThimmegowdaLitigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_177754cc-7fe9-46e5-93a3-ea39367c05e6" xlink:to="loc_chdn_KaterAndThimmegowdaLitigationMember_082d75e3-048f-4382-9e79-67cc32afafd2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_ce5ee580-9466-4033-9daa-8902a0f99831" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_177754cc-7fe9-46e5-93a3-ea39367c05e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_ce5ee580-9466-4033-9daa-8902a0f99831" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2d5c7e614a33407b88d371b276684fbe_GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_6867bdca-db6f-4bae-8a5f-c73aaf0347dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_06fcd7d9-0284-4081-bfc7-dd3ebc33d8e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_6867bdca-db6f-4bae-8a5f-c73aaf0347dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_06fcd7d9-0284-4081-bfc7-dd3ebc33d8e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired_d567a807-fa18-43ed-9890-68b9ab494452" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_6867bdca-db6f-4bae-8a5f-c73aaf0347dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired_d567a807-fa18-43ed-9890-68b9ab494452" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_4ba68329-a131-4ae7-acb7-8ece990ccb54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_6867bdca-db6f-4bae-8a5f-c73aaf0347dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_4ba68329-a131-4ae7-acb7-8ece990ccb54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_ac6bd9e1-6599-4655-a145-8992dbd54a02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_6867bdca-db6f-4bae-8a5f-c73aaf0347dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_ac6bd9e1-6599-4655-a145-8992dbd54a02" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_f4d7cbac-d1ec-42fa-8526-ba2984639916" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_6867bdca-db6f-4bae-8a5f-c73aaf0347dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_f4d7cbac-d1ec-42fa-8526-ba2984639916" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e8df-db55-4673-a913-9778d1401f86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_f4d7cbac-d1ec-42fa-8526-ba2984639916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e8df-db55-4673-a913-9778d1401f86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1d47e8df-db55-4673-a913-9778d1401f86_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e8df-db55-4673-a913-9778d1401f86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1d47e8df-db55-4673-a913-9778d1401f86_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a55339bb-e19e-450c-a3d1-6833d645213b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e8df-db55-4673-a913-9778d1401f86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a55339bb-e19e-450c-a3d1-6833d645213b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_40446c8b-bb2e-4d24-9bff-2cd554445ae3" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a55339bb-e19e-450c-a3d1-6833d645213b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_40446c8b-bb2e-4d24-9bff-2cd554445ae3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AssetImpairmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#AssetImpairmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AssetImpairmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i747ffe100a1d481c9a135932ed27aba6_AssetImpairmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_75614285-b0db-4ed8-bff6-a3a3c7a9f964" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_9d2bdb16-3c3b-469b-9c2f-694dcf14e619" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_75614285-b0db-4ed8-bff6-a3a3c7a9f964" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_9d2bdb16-3c3b-469b-9c2f-694dcf14e619" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bf37c495-1be1-48b4-a087-0c0882e49a12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_75614285-b0db-4ed8-bff6-a3a3c7a9f964" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bf37c495-1be1-48b4-a087-0c0882e49a12" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7cd03006-7448-415a-b129-3aac2d9007ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bf37c495-1be1-48b4-a087-0c0882e49a12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7cd03006-7448-415a-b129-3aac2d9007ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7cd03006-7448-415a-b129-3aac2d9007ff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7cd03006-7448-415a-b129-3aac2d9007ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7cd03006-7448-415a-b129-3aac2d9007ff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5605f432-8dfa-487d-9358-c4905180df85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7cd03006-7448-415a-b129-3aac2d9007ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5605f432-8dfa-487d-9358-c4905180df85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7863c5dd-f8da-4c96-9588-900c8d8d58d7" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5605f432-8dfa-487d-9358-c4905180df85" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_7863c5dd-f8da-4c96-9588-900c8d8d58d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_0f774228-7811-4b8f-934d-e9c55e466d7b" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5605f432-8dfa-487d-9358-c4905180df85" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_0f774228-7811-4b8f-934d-e9c55e466d7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#ShareholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i95d16728918c4daa869b09f46a171a55_ShareholdersEquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_811f6431-d1ea-43a7-bbbf-57befb68da6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_811f6431-d1ea-43a7-bbbf-57befb68da6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_e283e5d5-1d33-4091-81b1-9877c13ca5c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_e283e5d5-1d33-4091-81b1-9877c13ca5c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AccruedStockRepurchasedCashSettlement_66e02574-852d-4cf3-9fff-193c53d6e79f" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AccruedStockRepurchasedCashSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AccruedStockRepurchasedCashSettlement_66e02574-852d-4cf3-9fff-193c53d6e79f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_7df6f708-92b4-4c23-a477-ccb595344166" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_7df6f708-92b4-4c23-a477-ccb595344166" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare_cf93a611-fc0e-4ad8-b3ef-20136524b904" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodPricePerShare_cf93a611-fc0e-4ad8-b3ef-20136524b904" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_e7e59deb-ec1f-4bcb-9568-3cd839fe5224" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_e7e59deb-ec1f-4bcb-9568-3cd839fe5224" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_d1c1393b-0271-4772-b792-8a07ec1dd4b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_556e5b62-2f3b-43fa-a844-b2e9445720c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_d1c1393b-0271-4772-b792-8a07ec1dd4b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bc42b45a-28d8-4da5-85d2-151795cbd7c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_d1c1393b-0271-4772-b792-8a07ec1dd4b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bc42b45a-28d8-4da5-85d2-151795cbd7c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_bc42b45a-28d8-4da5-85d2-151795cbd7c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bc42b45a-28d8-4da5-85d2-151795cbd7c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_bc42b45a-28d8-4da5-85d2-151795cbd7c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_fd80c15f-e3d2-4a83-b847-c89a04f505dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bc42b45a-28d8-4da5-85d2-151795cbd7c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_fd80c15f-e3d2-4a83-b847-c89a04f505dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember_f90a30eb-2bb7-43a1-8589-92c0978b62dc" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_fd80c15f-e3d2-4a83-b847-c89a04f505dd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember_f90a30eb-2bb7-43a1-8589-92c0978b62dc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember_9a068e7e-d3d6-4026-94a6-167a4346c3eb" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_fd80c15f-e3d2-4a83-b847-c89a04f505dd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_StockRepurchaseAgreementWithTheDuchossoisGroupIncAffiliateMember_9a068e7e-d3d6-4026-94a6-167a4346c3eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_5615f851-bb8b-4519-9cb4-5282a71ad156" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_fd80c15f-e3d2-4a83-b847-c89a04f505dd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_5615f851-bb8b-4519-9cb4-5282a71ad156" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#StockbasedCompensationPlansDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ida66156b3fc64cbf9df116bb40b3782f_StockbasedCompensationPlansDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_cc6387f7-1862-4ce6-ac80-1565a9c8df38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_d72af48d-d560-4f55-b64e-e834cc050bc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_cc6387f7-1862-4ce6-ac80-1565a9c8df38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_d72af48d-d560-4f55-b64e-e834cc050bc3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7cffbb96-1183-47a0-9c03-f8c77bbc94a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_cc6387f7-1862-4ce6-ac80-1565a9c8df38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7cffbb96-1183-47a0-9c03-f8c77bbc94a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_69f58199-ef95-44cd-97f1-ac49a230bc88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_cc6387f7-1862-4ce6-ac80-1565a9c8df38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_69f58199-ef95-44cd-97f1-ac49a230bc88" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e67c9cd6-2fcf-4e1c-b95d-6f139fec7ba8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_cc6387f7-1862-4ce6-ac80-1565a9c8df38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e67c9cd6-2fcf-4e1c-b95d-6f139fec7ba8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1a4433d0-a0a1-434d-9f9e-7aa223578348" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e67c9cd6-2fcf-4e1c-b95d-6f139fec7ba8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1a4433d0-a0a1-434d-9f9e-7aa223578348" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_1a4433d0-a0a1-434d-9f9e-7aa223578348_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1a4433d0-a0a1-434d-9f9e-7aa223578348" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_1a4433d0-a0a1-434d-9f9e-7aa223578348_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_2785741b-6500-44de-810b-286dcf5ae9af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1a4433d0-a0a1-434d-9f9e-7aa223578348" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_2785741b-6500-44de-810b-286dcf5ae9af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_de295ace-47d0-4a7a-8133-164a047faa08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_2785741b-6500-44de-810b-286dcf5ae9af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_de295ace-47d0-4a7a-8133-164a047faa08" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_21ecbdce-fc7c-49a1-ba84-9ee6739b75ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_2785741b-6500-44de-810b-286dcf5ae9af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_21ecbdce-fc7c-49a1-ba84-9ee6739b75ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c1b89d3d-28c9-47f1-aedb-99b1079d64fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e67c9cd6-2fcf-4e1c-b95d-6f139fec7ba8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c1b89d3d-28c9-47f1-aedb-99b1079d64fc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_c1b89d3d-28c9-47f1-aedb-99b1079d64fc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c1b89d3d-28c9-47f1-aedb-99b1079d64fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_c1b89d3d-28c9-47f1-aedb-99b1079d64fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2899f255-ecc6-4b14-9146-1a666e0e0566" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c1b89d3d-28c9-47f1-aedb-99b1079d64fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2899f255-ecc6-4b14-9146-1a666e0e0566" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_80a88f64-1e41-435a-8527-b2a5882732d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2899f255-ecc6-4b14-9146-1a666e0e0566" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_80a88f64-1e41-435a-8527-b2a5882732d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_80f24793-1392-44ba-8dd3-57cd3f41e05a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e67c9cd6-2fcf-4e1c-b95d-6f139fec7ba8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_80f24793-1392-44ba-8dd3-57cd3f41e05a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_80f24793-1392-44ba-8dd3-57cd3f41e05a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_80f24793-1392-44ba-8dd3-57cd3f41e05a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_80f24793-1392-44ba-8dd3-57cd3f41e05a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0ec2133d-d024-49d8-8149-c9cfa3537dfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_80f24793-1392-44ba-8dd3-57cd3f41e05a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0ec2133d-d024-49d8-8149-c9cfa3537dfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_17a41b55-d571-4f1c-a734-9279fd98652b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0ec2133d-d024-49d8-8149-c9cfa3537dfb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_17a41b55-d571-4f1c-a734-9279fd98652b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#DebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icd8ea9f90daf45c49945528a6151680a_DebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6d4c2570-bd94-4c64-8b96-83775920f102" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6d4c2570-bd94-4c64-8b96-83775920f102" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_086a59fe-ccde-4370-9f36-cdf51addb27f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_086a59fe-ccde-4370-9f36-cdf51addb27f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentRestrictiveCovenantsRestrictedPaymentCapacity_8d725c80-b8b8-42b3-ab3f-7d3f95b1d9a1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentRestrictiveCovenantsRestrictedPaymentCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentRestrictiveCovenantsRestrictedPaymentCapacity_8d725c80-b8b8-42b3-ab3f-7d3f95b1d9a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_52854cca-ab2f-4649-9e4f-f89bdbc340f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_52854cca-ab2f-4649-9e4f-f89bdbc340f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPercentageOfOriginalBalance_f0680ba1-4ff8-4fa8-83c1-0b73d6158799" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPercentageOfOriginalBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPercentageOfOriginalBalance_f0680ba1-4ff8-4fa8-83c1-0b73d6158799" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_2bde3bae-7d72-4360-bd6c-efee525e0cb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_2bde3bae-7d72-4360-bd6c-efee525e0cb3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtIssuanceCostsAmortizationPeriod_2818c36e-38d0-4c5e-984e-f4ef39a9e0b1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DebtIssuanceCostsAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtIssuanceCostsAmortizationPeriod_2818c36e-38d0-4c5e-984e-f4ef39a9e0b1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_7df85844-1f53-4c97-ae07-8d1107cfef27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_7df85844-1f53-4c97-ae07-8d1107cfef27" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_26517028-0bef-4373-ae27-b806f7d83d92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_26517028-0bef-4373-ae27-b806f7d83d92" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_4a5fb8f0-038c-49f4-b477-488626b93373" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_4a5fb8f0-038c-49f4-b477-488626b93373" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_42c95867-a26f-4d64-bf55-51a3d93d24d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_3a2fe0c5-3976-4d48-8b34-1866b1582d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_42c95867-a26f-4d64-bf55-51a3d93d24d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_340078e6-2428-4de6-a64b-ac9f759d5b13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_42c95867-a26f-4d64-bf55-51a3d93d24d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_340078e6-2428-4de6-a64b-ac9f759d5b13" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_340078e6-2428-4de6-a64b-ac9f759d5b13_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_340078e6-2428-4de6-a64b-ac9f759d5b13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_340078e6-2428-4de6-a64b-ac9f759d5b13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_340078e6-2428-4de6-a64b-ac9f759d5b13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8dd08650-99a1-4a1c-8670-78d229b92897" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8dd08650-99a1-4a1c-8670-78d229b92897" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_abd8347e-44b2-40c1-bf1c-a345a7fb11af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_abd8347e-44b2-40c1-bf1c-a345a7fb11af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_dbc5bce2-9fb5-4ea2-9960-ba4a9d8fdc29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_dbc5bce2-9fb5-4ea2-9960-ba4a9d8fdc29" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_3fd8de24-86ba-4cb0-a61a-dab514795826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_3fd8de24-86ba-4cb0-a61a-dab514795826" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SwingLineCommitmentMember_fd6f56c3-1a95-4ec2-a636-7d0f20145f33" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SwingLineCommitmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d63eb986-5614-42d4-b839-8c8f988941e7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SwingLineCommitmentMember_fd6f56c3-1a95-4ec2-a636-7d0f20145f33" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_67798d4f-ad01-4dcb-a038-0714dabe39ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_42c95867-a26f-4d64-bf55-51a3d93d24d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_67798d4f-ad01-4dcb-a038-0714dabe39ed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_67798d4f-ad01-4dcb-a038-0714dabe39ed_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_67798d4f-ad01-4dcb-a038-0714dabe39ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_67798d4f-ad01-4dcb-a038-0714dabe39ed_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0aa73701-d56c-4b71-a96d-bd17ebf6fafd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_67798d4f-ad01-4dcb-a038-0714dabe39ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0aa73701-d56c-4b71-a96d-bd17ebf6fafd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_6a9682be-7936-4755-9219-6d9a277cdd2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0aa73701-d56c-4b71-a96d-bd17ebf6fafd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_6a9682be-7936-4755-9219-6d9a277cdd2c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_4a67d720-861d-4f50-83e5-eca4aaa4b488" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0aa73701-d56c-4b71-a96d-bd17ebf6fafd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_4a67d720-861d-4f50-83e5-eca4aaa4b488" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2bd3e7b5-f6a5-4b79-8968-eb60e7fb2d60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_42c95867-a26f-4d64-bf55-51a3d93d24d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2bd3e7b5-f6a5-4b79-8968-eb60e7fb2d60" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2bd3e7b5-f6a5-4b79-8968-eb60e7fb2d60_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2bd3e7b5-f6a5-4b79-8968-eb60e7fb2d60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2bd3e7b5-f6a5-4b79-8968-eb60e7fb2d60_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2bd3e7b5-f6a5-4b79-8968-eb60e7fb2d60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBdue2024Member_37d6c9b1-d5f0-4012-a7e7-70d3739a0087" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBdue2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBdue2024Member_37d6c9b1-d5f0-4012-a7e7-70d3739a0087" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2028Member_88f4b3a4-2baa-44b7-9390-78602568bbae" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2028Member_88f4b3a4-2baa-44b7-9390-78602568bbae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_0939264c-86a6-4453-bf26-72529d721bb9" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_0939264c-86a6-4453-bf26-72529d721bb9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_f72be2e2-77af-4903-bc83-bd63e42c9aac" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_0939264c-86a6-4453-bf26-72529d721bb9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_f72be2e2-77af-4903-bc83-bd63e42c9aac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_d47f9c94-b6c5-4fc3-b0b1-27cfb30c1cd4" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_0939264c-86a6-4453-bf26-72529d721bb9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_d47f9c94-b6c5-4fc3-b0b1-27cfb30c1cd4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_c1e10afe-caf6-4bee-8021-648108f9e27f" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_c1e10afe-caf6-4bee-8021-648108f9e27f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DelayedDrawTermLoanAMember_8589c9a6-2d45-4870-bbcc-57a245fb686f" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DelayedDrawTermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DelayedDrawTermLoanAMember_8589c9a6-2d45-4870-bbcc-57a245fb686f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_4b62965f-6dbd-4c8f-a258-c5619d82141c" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_4b62965f-6dbd-4c8f-a258-c5619d82141c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_144df356-fe80-4491-ac55-6a811dc70ba9" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_4252fdd7-9336-4367-9a7e-8fd23d70f4eb" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RevolverMember_144df356-fe80-4491-ac55-6a811dc70ba9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_7fcac15e-a62e-4f08-a0fc-1ba3edb58942" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_42c95867-a26f-4d64-bf55-51a3d93d24d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_7fcac15e-a62e-4f08-a0fc-1ba3edb58942" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_7fcac15e-a62e-4f08-a0fc-1ba3edb58942_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_7fcac15e-a62e-4f08-a0fc-1ba3edb58942" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_7fcac15e-a62e-4f08-a0fc-1ba3edb58942_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_807cdcdd-4f07-41ee-b065-8c9ebae1dc2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_7fcac15e-a62e-4f08-a0fc-1ba3edb58942" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_807cdcdd-4f07-41ee-b065-8c9ebae1dc2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_9ddfa5a8-12f8-4ecc-b7a7-78bcd21e473d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_807cdcdd-4f07-41ee-b065-8c9ebae1dc2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_9ddfa5a8-12f8-4ecc-b7a7-78bcd21e473d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_a3b4ed5c-e9e2-4a3e-adbd-db7c2207a0b0" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_807cdcdd-4f07-41ee-b065-8c9ebae1dc2c" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_a3b4ed5c-e9e2-4a3e-adbd-db7c2207a0b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9acc85496bec41e5b6df3aa080f195bf_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_bcb36c20-80f9-4158-99f1-3f3ad14306bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_bcb36c20-80f9-4158-99f1-3f3ad14306bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_d50ab059-9ddf-4e05-bb03-8044730145fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_d50ab059-9ddf-4e05-bb03-8044730145fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_16d58584-44b6-475b-bf3a-4e9fb27bdc98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_16d58584-44b6-475b-bf3a-4e9fb27bdc98" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_de51a5b4-78b2-4478-9940-379eb35c9dc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_16d58584-44b6-475b-bf3a-4e9fb27bdc98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_de51a5b4-78b2-4478-9940-379eb35c9dc7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="id7662a82aa114f75b62d5f27e13f0964_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_bcb36c20-80f9-4158-99f1-3f3ad14306bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_bcb36c20-80f9-4158-99f1-3f3ad14306bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_d50ab059-9ddf-4e05-bb03-8044730145fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_d50ab059-9ddf-4e05-bb03-8044730145fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_16d58584-44b6-475b-bf3a-4e9fb27bdc98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_89f21058-5f44-4d41-a093-0aaa3b4c2f8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_16d58584-44b6-475b-bf3a-4e9fb27bdc98" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i58e1ea7da9094ef5916f2aab034988ab_InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_432efa8c-4350-4973-b3ab-b933d2cbe3a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_e47c5459-320c-432b-8bd0-dddd856af1a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_432efa8c-4350-4973-b3ab-b933d2cbe3a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_e47c5459-320c-432b-8bd0-dddd856af1a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_644f89fe-c7d2-41d0-993a-5ac809b072d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_432efa8c-4350-4973-b3ab-b933d2cbe3a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_644f89fe-c7d2-41d0-993a-5ac809b072d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_fe7bcf0c-c651-4272-b82f-abc27c303a08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_432efa8c-4350-4973-b3ab-b933d2cbe3a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_fe7bcf0c-c651-4272-b82f-abc27c303a08" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_0d8d04be-4b58-4503-ae9f-09b9a3fd966c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_432efa8c-4350-4973-b3ab-b933d2cbe3a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_0d8d04be-4b58-4503-ae9f-09b9a3fd966c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_b2ec9c05-d891-42d6-8473-49581ed0ef5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_432efa8c-4350-4973-b3ab-b933d2cbe3a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_b2ec9c05-d891-42d6-8473-49581ed0ef5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2a49d77f-36d2-4890-bc04-cd08eccc1743" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_b2ec9c05-d891-42d6-8473-49581ed0ef5d" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2a49d77f-36d2-4890-bc04-cd08eccc1743" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2a49d77f-36d2-4890-bc04-cd08eccc1743_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2a49d77f-36d2-4890-bc04-cd08eccc1743" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2a49d77f-36d2-4890-bc04-cd08eccc1743_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_41280507-6f9a-43a0-8ac3-7f093aa51dbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2a49d77f-36d2-4890-bc04-cd08eccc1743" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_41280507-6f9a-43a0-8ac3-7f093aa51dbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_74d9cff1-13f4-46ad-9650-01839230c9b6" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_HighPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_41280507-6f9a-43a0-8ac3-7f093aa51dbc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_74d9cff1-13f4-46ad-9650-01839230c9b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_3ab6c493-dc20-4255-bb8c-bed7e36a7190" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_41280507-6f9a-43a0-8ac3-7f093aa51dbc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_3ab6c493-dc20-4255-bb8c-bed7e36a7190" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_2bda3ca5-15d7-4e70-8303-7031c9629aad" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_41280507-6f9a-43a0-8ac3-7f093aa51dbc" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_2bda3ca5-15d7-4e70-8303-7031c9629aad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_5e546ca1-04ee-44be-b0cf-51014dbed962" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_b2ec9c05-d891-42d6-8473-49581ed0ef5d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_5e546ca1-04ee-44be-b0cf-51014dbed962" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_5e546ca1-04ee-44be-b0cf-51014dbed962_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_5e546ca1-04ee-44be-b0cf-51014dbed962" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_5e546ca1-04ee-44be-b0cf-51014dbed962_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_af5f54ed-8a56-45f2-9a79-2401bd99f92e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_5e546ca1-04ee-44be-b0cf-51014dbed962" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_af5f54ed-8a56-45f2-9a79-2401bd99f92e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_9c3d9fa1-faeb-44b3-8843-613482076a40" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_af5f54ed-8a56-45f2-9a79-2401bd99f92e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_9c3d9fa1-faeb-44b3-8843-613482076a40" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_d1d7933d-d415-43a6-947f-a70f4f2efa44" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_af5f54ed-8a56-45f2-9a79-2401bd99f92e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_d1d7933d-d415-43a6-947f-a70f4f2efa44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ida90c77b632245f69aa54bc23fc105bd_InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_610c1098-dce0-4fd2-958f-0bcfa100697f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_610c1098-dce0-4fd2-958f-0bcfa100697f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityMethodOperatingAndSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses_48ee4c0c-58e9-42ab-b9a5-394f0480954d" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EquityMethodOperatingAndSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityMethodOperatingAndSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses_48ee4c0c-58e9-42ab-b9a5-394f0480954d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityMethodDepreciationAmortization_10d34b7d-ca33-4a20-944a-e09cf56b2b10" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EquityMethodDepreciationAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityMethodDepreciationAmortization_10d34b7d-ca33-4a20-944a-e09cf56b2b10" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingExpense_7328d60a-4ed6-4bcf-9d43-d3ca7059a7ba" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingExpense_7328d60a-4ed6-4bcf-9d43-d3ca7059a7ba" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingIncomeLoss_2de2c389-643d-4627-b6c7-6b2ec7c6c3bf" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentOperatingIncomeLoss_2de2c389-643d-4627-b6c7-6b2ec7c6c3bf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentInterest_213a232e-1a7c-4026-8d3a-02bc9f232dbc" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityMethodInvestmentInterest_213a232e-1a7c-4026-8d3a-02bc9f232dbc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_7d5db33f-9334-4839-8758-a5b4407cbcae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_7d5db33f-9334-4839-8758-a5b4407cbcae" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_9b7da088-c2b6-42f7-b4e2-007f10e43e87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_55af9b11-38a9-4cb0-83ea-a0eca74ae451" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_9b7da088-c2b6-42f7-b4e2-007f10e43e87" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_ee114105-6981-4285-b560-520d7a4f6a2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_9b7da088-c2b6-42f7-b4e2-007f10e43e87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_ee114105-6981-4285-b560-520d7a4f6a2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_ee114105-6981-4285-b560-520d7a4f6a2e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_ee114105-6981-4285-b560-520d7a4f6a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_ee114105-6981-4285-b560-520d7a4f6a2e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_64e5f47a-ae94-4f91-aaa0-175824ca19e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_ee114105-6981-4285-b560-520d7a4f6a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_64e5f47a-ae94-4f91-aaa0-175824ca19e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_659ce700-81cb-46fe-bba7-45d30731d9f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_64e5f47a-ae94-4f91-aaa0-175824ca19e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_659ce700-81cb-46fe-bba7-45d30731d9f4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0fa8f1946774456fb07bf2ef36d558ba_InvestmentinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_b1ceae4d-5a59-4a84-b020-75e47127990d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_b1ceae4d-5a59-4a84-b020-75e47127990d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_800e208e-02a8-41ff-8ba7-987502fb8e9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_800e208e-02a8-41ff-8ba7-987502fb8e9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_1ea4e75a-591c-448e-813e-1eef5eea674a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_1ea4e75a-591c-448e-813e-1eef5eea674a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_7f93257c-e6da-466c-bb57-1332348c317c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_7f93257c-e6da-466c-bb57-1332348c317c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_1efe9466-d5b2-4080-ac24-9cfab6055233" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_1efe9466-d5b2-4080-ac24-9cfab6055233" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_8589046a-4a93-4ddc-a1a1-0cfa6fb45746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_8589046a-4a93-4ddc-a1a1-0cfa6fb45746" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_a2ac371e-0e3e-4633-b76b-6be1cd4f3365" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_a2ac371e-0e3e-4633-b76b-6be1cd4f3365" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_72d164d0-b8ce-4b68-a67a-6e0261fbf03c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_72d164d0-b8ce-4b68-a67a-6e0261fbf03c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_19b2a67e-2a49-4704-95a1-b8e890fa7927" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_19b2a67e-2a49-4704-95a1-b8e890fa7927" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_81202053-b660-4b73-92d7-ec5474c11aed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems_bb6b3ec8-dc3f-43df-9166-17d303ab2807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_81202053-b660-4b73-92d7-ec5474c11aed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7737611a-198e-405c-9cca-36a52ff26b04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_81202053-b660-4b73-92d7-ec5474c11aed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7737611a-198e-405c-9cca-36a52ff26b04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_7737611a-198e-405c-9cca-36a52ff26b04_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7737611a-198e-405c-9cca-36a52ff26b04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_7737611a-198e-405c-9cca-36a52ff26b04_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_6ef8d8bf-c524-48b8-9ac0-dac19ae6c67c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_7737611a-198e-405c-9cca-36a52ff26b04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_6ef8d8bf-c524-48b8-9ac0-dac19ae6c67c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_3d86cd3a-8208-4aaa-81b2-558df06d9783" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_6ef8d8bf-c524-48b8-9ac0-dac19ae6c67c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_3d86cd3a-8208-4aaa-81b2-558df06d9783" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if35cfb4b55a646039125caae7dbe8d66_FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9cc1b2e9-2de5-4be3-9fe6-61d9354b0853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_3bdd8901-16ff-420f-bcf3-1f549d9c8885" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9cc1b2e9-2de5-4be3-9fe6-61d9354b0853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_3bdd8901-16ff-420f-bcf3-1f549d9c8885" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_67292170-8516-4b72-ac9f-74a0cdcf92a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9cc1b2e9-2de5-4be3-9fe6-61d9354b0853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_67292170-8516-4b72-ac9f-74a0cdcf92a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_37fa1653-0c76-4f0f-b4e9-75a12135b088" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9cc1b2e9-2de5-4be3-9fe6-61d9354b0853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_37fa1653-0c76-4f0f-b4e9-75a12135b088" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9cc1b2e9-2de5-4be3-9fe6-61d9354b0853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_d383f533-b94a-4cf1-b0c2-df41190481dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_d383f533-b94a-4cf1-b0c2-df41190481dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_d383f533-b94a-4cf1-b0c2-df41190481dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_d383f533-b94a-4cf1-b0c2-df41190481dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_d383f533-b94a-4cf1-b0c2-df41190481dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_2c15284c-c41b-439f-b4b6-070f12b9c44e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_d383f533-b94a-4cf1-b0c2-df41190481dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_2c15284c-c41b-439f-b4b6-070f12b9c44e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_02484ecc-f49e-47bd-975e-806fb62c35bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_2c15284c-c41b-439f-b4b6-070f12b9c44e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_02484ecc-f49e-47bd-975e-806fb62c35bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_b66287a1-b380-4899-9d5d-31cfadb667fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_7b38b61e-fa1d-47ef-a56d-db72140e62a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_b66287a1-b380-4899-9d5d-31cfadb667fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_7b38b61e-fa1d-47ef-a56d-db72140e62a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_69161409-9e9d-42cf-8246-405000ee1bfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_b66287a1-b380-4899-9d5d-31cfadb667fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_69161409-9e9d-42cf-8246-405000ee1bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_44510615-4ff2-4123-841c-85ab31b739d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_44510615-4ff2-4123-841c-85ab31b739d6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_44510615-4ff2-4123-841c-85ab31b739d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_44510615-4ff2-4123-841c-85ab31b739d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_44510615-4ff2-4123-841c-85ab31b739d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_356bc920-892d-4630-adf1-820f8a6a4399" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_44510615-4ff2-4123-841c-85ab31b739d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_356bc920-892d-4630-adf1-820f8a6a4399" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_824f24a2-6416-4875-a910-60d63bbdf81e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_356bc920-892d-4630-adf1-820f8a6a4399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_824f24a2-6416-4875-a910-60d63bbdf81e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6649c335-894b-48fa-9229-b7057a7f858a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6649c335-894b-48fa-9229-b7057a7f858a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6649c335-894b-48fa-9229-b7057a7f858a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6649c335-894b-48fa-9229-b7057a7f858a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6649c335-894b-48fa-9229-b7057a7f858a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6649c335-894b-48fa-9229-b7057a7f858a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBdue2024Member_0331035c-1ff7-4b0b-aabb-261b7a0e5005" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBdue2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBdue2024Member_0331035c-1ff7-4b0b-aabb-261b7a0e5005" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2028Member_db86ebc5-e409-4bac-b1de-51db0792d8ea" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2028Member_db86ebc5-e409-4bac-b1de-51db0792d8ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_991d6b17-b15e-4f68-989d-4854d71b6cc3" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_991d6b17-b15e-4f68-989d-4854d71b6cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_727d4953-1a9a-401f-9cf6-87fd9b86baaa" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_727d4953-1a9a-401f-9cf6-87fd9b86baaa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_f6d75465-ff2a-4fd4-8a10-a1b95a590d88" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_274e277b-aa4f-4c58-9c01-914084c650ea" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_f6d75465-ff2a-4fd4-8a10-a1b95a590d88" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d196c94d-c399-4383-a8eb-c3db03e039b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d196c94d-c399-4383-a8eb-c3db03e039b9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d196c94d-c399-4383-a8eb-c3db03e039b9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d196c94d-c399-4383-a8eb-c3db03e039b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d196c94d-c399-4383-a8eb-c3db03e039b9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2bb579da-325d-4d98-a0e8-c0f9f4145705" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d196c94d-c399-4383-a8eb-c3db03e039b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2bb579da-325d-4d98-a0e8-c0f9f4145705" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_5dc57514-e058-40d6-89bb-1440766f7e7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2bb579da-325d-4d98-a0e8-c0f9f4145705" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_5dc57514-e058-40d6-89bb-1440766f7e7b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9731b331-de66-4f1c-b5bf-a7115bd29163" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_41f501c7-03f2-42c0-bd53-533f3f1e06ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9731b331-de66-4f1c-b5bf-a7115bd29163" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9731b331-de66-4f1c-b5bf-a7115bd29163_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9731b331-de66-4f1c-b5bf-a7115bd29163" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9731b331-de66-4f1c-b5bf-a7115bd29163_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_894a920d-4b38-4c6b-99fa-629acafc04e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9731b331-de66-4f1c-b5bf-a7115bd29163" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_894a920d-4b38-4c6b-99fa-629acafc04e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_e6baf7b6-7bfb-42c5-b46c-8f966dc7657a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_894a920d-4b38-4c6b-99fa-629acafc04e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_e6baf7b6-7bfb-42c5-b46c-8f966dc7657a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_6387d3ee-3e93-4a9f-b534-868a113bbd1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_894a920d-4b38-4c6b-99fa-629acafc04e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_6387d3ee-3e93-4a9f-b534-868a113bbd1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_9e323d2b-37f5-412e-8dd2-09661c862251" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_894a920d-4b38-4c6b-99fa-629acafc04e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_9e323d2b-37f5-412e-8dd2-09661c862251" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if9ac9d97c9db416c88bc341e27445457_SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_9358f6b0-180a-44b4-9ea1-a48881380184" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_9358f6b0-180a-44b4-9ea1-a48881380184" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfSportsbooks_97cd0325-567c-45e2-b7bb-82c9a0d5100a" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NumberOfSportsbooks"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfSportsbooks_97cd0325-567c-45e2-b7bb-82c9a0d5100a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfSlotMachines_2ed8696c-d877-485b-a046-d13f5828dde1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NumberOfSlotMachines"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfSlotMachines_2ed8696c-d877-485b-a046-d13f5828dde1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfTableGames_ff0c181a-6a3a-4beb-8265-e7dc368787ee" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NumberOfTableGames"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfTableGames_ff0c181a-6a3a-4beb-8265-e7dc368787ee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_47237364-fc54-48d1-9a5c-cb3bedbc53f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_47237364-fc54-48d1-9a5c-cb3bedbc53f4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_bb3b65e2-63b8-407a-bc7e-63d7d6ef6524" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_bb3b65e2-63b8-407a-bc7e-63d7d6ef6524" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1b898bee-7f04-4c82-b8ed-4dd6daf09ebb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_59b94b6e-1590-4662-a72c-a5826c2abf63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1b898bee-7f04-4c82-b8ed-4dd6daf09ebb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_8b23f6e0-7bfd-463e-9d6e-25efce54bd93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1b898bee-7f04-4c82-b8ed-4dd6daf09ebb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_8b23f6e0-7bfd-463e-9d6e-25efce54bd93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8b23f6e0-7bfd-463e-9d6e-25efce54bd93_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_8b23f6e0-7bfd-463e-9d6e-25efce54bd93" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8b23f6e0-7bfd-463e-9d6e-25efce54bd93_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d6c1f747-c840-4257-9f1b-0e6bff3a9c29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_8b23f6e0-7bfd-463e-9d6e-25efce54bd93" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d6c1f747-c840-4257-9f1b-0e6bff3a9c29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_ae9c84fb-4ac1-4cec-b07b-b88d792f50be" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d6c1f747-c840-4257-9f1b-0e6bff3a9c29" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_ae9c84fb-4ac1-4cec-b07b-b88d792f50be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_78511a28-bb3a-45d4-80f2-c7deff768191" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d6c1f747-c840-4257-9f1b-0e6bff3a9c29" xlink:to="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_78511a28-bb3a-45d4-80f2-c7deff768191" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e1e4d916-0067-4d1e-ab6d-1d1778fd714c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1b898bee-7f04-4c82-b8ed-4dd6daf09ebb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e1e4d916-0067-4d1e-ab6d-1d1778fd714c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e1e4d916-0067-4d1e-ab6d-1d1778fd714c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e1e4d916-0067-4d1e-ab6d-1d1778fd714c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e1e4d916-0067-4d1e-ab6d-1d1778fd714c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b1a2ee53-55c5-4577-b764-5455bdac9aa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e1e4d916-0067-4d1e-ab6d-1d1778fd714c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b1a2ee53-55c5-4577-b764-5455bdac9aa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_b0835191-6483-4e20-84a8-2f965856a923" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b1a2ee53-55c5-4577-b764-5455bdac9aa8" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_b0835191-6483-4e20-84a8-2f965856a923" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2c8e3f8fb35043df837fdc14e58d66d2_SegmentInformationScheduleofNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d21c1006-2e63-4df1-90ff-3d25974b2aa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_9a0f0744-3617-442d-9770-d3b78c8886ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d21c1006-2e63-4df1-90ff-3d25974b2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_9a0f0744-3617-442d-9770-d3b78c8886ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_305620e1-bf52-444f-a12e-7980797666d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d21c1006-2e63-4df1-90ff-3d25974b2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_305620e1-bf52-444f-a12e-7980797666d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_3410cf91-8d35-4de5-b462-57f0c188b4f6" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d21c1006-2e63-4df1-90ff-3d25974b2aa5" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_3410cf91-8d35-4de5-b462-57f0c188b4f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d21c1006-2e63-4df1-90ff-3d25974b2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_dd61ba9c-43a6-41c7-ba08-f77f6fa66b93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_dd61ba9c-43a6-41c7-ba08-f77f6fa66b93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_dd61ba9c-43a6-41c7-ba08-f77f6fa66b93_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_dd61ba9c-43a6-41c7-ba08-f77f6fa66b93" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_dd61ba9c-43a6-41c7-ba08-f77f6fa66b93_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_49d18abb-8086-49dd-8b35-cbc7ac2382f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_dd61ba9c-43a6-41c7-ba08-f77f6fa66b93" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_49d18abb-8086-49dd-8b35-cbc7ac2382f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_1f0f36ac-c078-4087-a6b8-26c121015253" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_49d18abb-8086-49dd-8b35-cbc7ac2382f9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_1f0f36ac-c078-4087-a6b8-26c121015253" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_5f949006-ea00-4338-b93b-e3ec397064c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_5f949006-ea00-4338-b93b-e3ec397064c3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_5f949006-ea00-4338-b93b-e3ec397064c3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_5f949006-ea00-4338-b93b-e3ec397064c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_5f949006-ea00-4338-b93b-e3ec397064c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_5f949006-ea00-4338-b93b-e3ec397064c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_8866c928-4feb-400b-8b97-7d6f0a790160" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_8866c928-4feb-400b-8b97-7d6f0a790160" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_fc7fb0ba-c5af-436d-9475-5ee1b4ed6cfa" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_fc7fb0ba-c5af-436d-9475-5ee1b4ed6cfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_aa55c598-66ac-473d-a683-53decd0a6397" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_aa55c598-66ac-473d-a683-53decd0a6397" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_fb5113b4-4f14-4569-b36f-b3b3d6fb6783" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_fb5113b4-4f14-4569-b36f-b3b3d6fb6783" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_c758d71d-a65d-4fee-948f-a00b7633f33b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e945fe14-aef1-4f17-a342-1c72633b7d26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_c758d71d-a65d-4fee-948f-a00b7633f33b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a5833f95-20d7-41e6-b553-9d55d2a7c226" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a5833f95-20d7-41e6-b553-9d55d2a7c226" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a5833f95-20d7-41e6-b553-9d55d2a7c226_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a5833f95-20d7-41e6-b553-9d55d2a7c226" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a5833f95-20d7-41e6-b553-9d55d2a7c226_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1c1ef694-4abf-4f68-87f5-a2c5bb80aba7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a5833f95-20d7-41e6-b553-9d55d2a7c226" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1c1ef694-4abf-4f68-87f5-a2c5bb80aba7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_b785fc86-eeb7-4eba-bf33-b1551683edf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1c1ef694-4abf-4f68-87f5-a2c5bb80aba7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_b785fc86-eeb7-4eba-bf33-b1551683edf9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_acc1c239-ac3e-4922-bf00-075a7b88ba7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1c1ef694-4abf-4f68-87f5-a2c5bb80aba7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_acc1c239-ac3e-4922-bf00-075a7b88ba7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_3b2e9128-2536-46c6-877b-5537630b66d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1c1ef694-4abf-4f68-87f5-a2c5bb80aba7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_3b2e9128-2536-46c6-877b-5537630b66d9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7784d92d-41e8-4992-827e-b63ab8ca2e5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7784d92d-41e8-4992-827e-b63ab8ca2e5b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7784d92d-41e8-4992-827e-b63ab8ca2e5b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7784d92d-41e8-4992-827e-b63ab8ca2e5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7784d92d-41e8-4992-827e-b63ab8ca2e5b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6e03ec8d-5baa-4813-9174-40b8c560f924" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7784d92d-41e8-4992-827e-b63ab8ca2e5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6e03ec8d-5baa-4813-9174-40b8c560f924" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_6e11c045-e84d-4a74-9d54-8e3f642af1f9" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6e03ec8d-5baa-4813-9174-40b8c560f924" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_6e11c045-e84d-4a74-9d54-8e3f642af1f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_78ce4f87-59e0-4bb7-9166-5ae01ea9d7a2" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6e03ec8d-5baa-4813-9174-40b8c560f924" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_78ce4f87-59e0-4bb7-9166-5ae01ea9d7a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_b832498d-522b-4202-8d1a-ece9b819b2fd" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6e03ec8d-5baa-4813-9174-40b8c560f924" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_b832498d-522b-4202-8d1a-ece9b819b2fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationAxis_f8406263-5c36-48ed-b5b3-9084bff821e7" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a18fc5cb-915f-4562-854d-6e459e31ca70" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationAxis_f8406263-5c36-48ed-b5b3-9084bff821e7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_f8406263-5c36-48ed-b5b3-9084bff821e7_default" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationAxis_f8406263-5c36-48ed-b5b3-9084bff821e7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_f8406263-5c36-48ed-b5b3-9084bff821e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationAxis_f8406263-5c36-48ed-b5b3-9084bff821e7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_8d33c8d0-f6d6-41a5-9301-3c9ae1b8aa4d" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_8d33c8d0-f6d6-41a5-9301-3c9ae1b8aa4d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DerbyCityGamingMember_43a100db-b8ad-442f-a9d2-42ba5aced3b1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_DerbyCityGamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DerbyCityGamingMember_43a100db-b8ad-442f-a9d2-42ba5aced3b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OakGroveRacingGamingHotelMember_deb02c54-5a1f-4cb0-9c9b-428709369d71" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_OakGroveRacingGamingHotelMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OakGroveRacingGamingHotelMember_deb02c54-5a1f-4cb0-9c9b-428709369d71" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TurfwayParkMember_a316215b-adaf-463b-abcb-e4bf11884943" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TurfwayParkMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TurfwayParkMember_a316215b-adaf-463b-abcb-e4bf11884943" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NewportRacingAndGamingMember_aa81b7a1-494e-4963-b083-a498ac7666f8" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NewportRacingAndGamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NewportRacingAndGamingMember_aa81b7a1-494e-4963-b083-a498ac7666f8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_HorseRacingMember_445c9a45-1d02-465d-9290-214cb80c9024" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_HorseRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_HorseRacingMember_445c9a45-1d02-465d-9290-214cb80c9024" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SportsAndCasinoMember_2484014d-49c8-4a79-92c5-f6646e0c3903" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_SportsAndCasinoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SportsAndCasinoMember_2484014d-49c8-4a79-92c5-f6646e0c3903" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_FairGroundsSlotsFairGroundsRaceCourseAndVideoServicesLLCMember_f55e14a4-b585-4fc8-a19a-db092e7b6a6b" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_FairGroundsSlotsFairGroundsRaceCourseAndVideoServicesLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_FairGroundsSlotsFairGroundsRaceCourseAndVideoServicesLLCMember_f55e14a4-b585-4fc8-a19a-db092e7b6a6b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember_8aaedfb4-f651-49e3-8396-0cb222b9e967" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember_8aaedfb4-f651-49e3-8396-0cb222b9e967" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember_9e84371d-79d0-4b93-a4d2-5847c5399d3d" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember_9e84371d-79d0-4b93-a4d2-5847c5399d3d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CalderCasinosMember_ba988580-6b41-4eab-a693-7aee669f78ff" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_CalderCasinosMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CalderCasinosMember_ba988580-6b41-4eab-a693-7aee669f78ff" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OxfordAcquisitionMember_df77bb53-18d9-4a02-9995-8ff84e1e5f92" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_OxfordAcquisitionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OxfordAcquisitionMember_df77bb53-18d9-4a02-9995-8ff84e1e5f92" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiverwalkCasinoMember_46e32721-467b-48f7-82a0-8d45bcc19b03" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_RiverwalkCasinoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiverwalkCasinoMember_46e32721-467b-48f7-82a0-8d45bcc19b03" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_HarlowsCasinoMember_92ced956-d52b-4b92-9e02-4cc3156442fc" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_HarlowsCasinoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_HarlowsCasinoMember_92ced956-d52b-4b92-9e02-4cc3156442fc" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LadyLuckNemacolinMember_67dba826-9597-4cc7-88b8-b7bdfe273b84" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LadyLuckNemacolinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_300e21c8-675a-4a27-b960-360593fc2387" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LadyLuckNemacolinMember_67dba826-9597-4cc7-88b8-b7bdfe273b84" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i65b16e458a474f39887d813250a7cba5_SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_f771187d-5699-425f-9bcd-c50f0c226a7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_f771187d-5699-425f-9bcd-c50f0c226a7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Taxesandpurses_89b171ef-e20a-4590-8c37-e7c91c2e9973" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_Taxesandpurses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Taxesandpurses_89b171ef-e20a-4590-8c37-e7c91c2e9973" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Marketingandadvertising_6df83151-daf9-4433-9517-f160a2ec53ae" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_Marketingandadvertising"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Marketingandadvertising_6df83151-daf9-4433-9517-f160a2ec53ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Salariesandbenefits_92956010-836b-4cfd-9a9b-d5d57449dbda" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_Salariesandbenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Salariesandbenefits_92956010-836b-4cfd-9a9b-d5d57449dbda" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_ac6f2a65-0835-4a11-ab9c-65905f6b6219" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_ContentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_ac6f2a65-0835-4a11-ab9c-65905f6b6219" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_3f2650f2-9a53-4bf3-ae3f-1332f1b39f33" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_3f2650f2-9a53-4bf3-ae3f-1332f1b39f33" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_79cf08d6-3d88-49b8-8c30-fe140ccf0e5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_79cf08d6-3d88-49b8-8c30-fe140ccf0e5e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_1a5ae370-c7a4-4e94-97c4-029162d487e9" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_1a5ae370-c7a4-4e94-97c4-029162d487e9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_71ed4fe6-45a6-42a3-9f11-b5f8865b20c8" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_71ed4fe6-45a6-42a3-9f11-b5f8865b20c8" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NetEarningsAndComprehensiveIncome_193d61b3-ebf3-436e-a86a-b6712ec3599c" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_NetEarningsAndComprehensiveIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NetEarningsAndComprehensiveIncome_193d61b3-ebf3-436e-a86a-b6712ec3599c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_341258eb-443d-4c79-aae9-91909fedf8a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_341258eb-443d-4c79-aae9-91909fedf8a1" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_9359f989-c71a-41ff-aee6-610b6ae5914f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_9359f989-c71a-41ff-aee6-610b6ae5914f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_f56a226d-1ed1-4f69-a9ac-669522ad722b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_f56a226d-1ed1-4f69-a9ac-669522ad722b" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationandAmortization_47eb0e44-caa2-4d8d-907a-b51eb700b504" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationandAmortization_47eb0e44-caa2-4d8d-907a-b51eb700b504" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_c2b7bef3-09bc-44ad-8560-38e7992c31e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_c2b7bef3-09bc-44ad-8560-38e7992c31e6" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LegalFees_e8603d1d-6efc-4e12-b853-730f4fcc76a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LegalFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LegalFees_e8603d1d-6efc-4e12-b853-730f4fcc76a5" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_88baecdf-f903-4dda-a760-4e49fb058f93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_88baecdf-f903-4dda-a760-4e49fb058f93" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_d00ee3fc-efb0-4eca-bb69-b70ee81dead3" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_OtherExpensesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_d00ee3fc-efb0-4eca-bb69-b70ee81dead3" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_866182a2-a1ef-4ea9-a7b0-91feb4138edf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_866182a2-a1ef-4ea9-a7b0-91feb4138edf" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_1ea0bf78-3f3d-4f7a-ba07-e66359c8b848" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_1ea0bf78-3f3d-4f7a-ba07-e66359c8b848" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_5df92cc1-2ed6-4c06-a3e9-a75118fbc4cf" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_5df92cc1-2ed6-4c06-a3e9-a75118fbc4cf" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_FairValueofInterestRateSwaps_a5275a93-23e5-4911-8942-386fa5dd7d2b" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_FairValueofInterestRateSwaps"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_FairValueofInterestRateSwaps_a5275a93-23e5-4911-8942-386fa5dd7d2b" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_2ca3bf85-ec5a-4a88-b163-d244070f0cad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_2ca3bf85-ec5a-4a88-b163-d244070f0cad" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_dc1e1b36-81d2-4536-ac04-f0180b1b8453" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_dc1e1b36-81d2-4536-ac04-f0180b1b8453" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustmentstoEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_c9ea2d65-d667-48d4-a437-0b45feea378e" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AdjustmentstoEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustmentstoEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_c9ea2d65-d667-48d4-a437-0b45feea378e" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_3e57b9b0-1afa-454d-b62a-8eb2b0404b23" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1c1793b7-431c-4ca6-bb8b-0788a0a0fa86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_27cc5e6b-54a1-4028-a78f-3b43b9f09723" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1c1793b7-431c-4ca6-bb8b-0788a0a0fa86" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fd085331-6bc5-4563-bc5d-e4083762327a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1c1793b7-431c-4ca6-bb8b-0788a0a0fa86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fd085331-6bc5-4563-bc5d-e4083762327a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fd085331-6bc5-4563-bc5d-e4083762327a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fd085331-6bc5-4563-bc5d-e4083762327a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fd085331-6bc5-4563-bc5d-e4083762327a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fd085331-6bc5-4563-bc5d-e4083762327a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_c1ef64b2-fc86-44d6-865b-f59327fd95e5" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_c1ef64b2-fc86-44d6-865b-f59327fd95e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_f7862309-5146-47b1-8748-1e2ebfc3e615" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_f7862309-5146-47b1-8748-1e2ebfc3e615" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_94bd4e66-ab96-4bd1-b0d7-5e7ea7717f8e" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_94bd4e66-ab96-4bd1-b0d7-5e7ea7717f8e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_78e02f11-8a69-4a8f-8789-7c76a06cf53b" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_78e02f11-8a69-4a8f-8789-7c76a06cf53b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_0f2b735a-cd50-4907-9767-0d7265ce38c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_44c7f866-c602-4ac8-824e-85a332f291c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_0f2b735a-cd50-4907-9767-0d7265ce38c5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5399c1c2-e595-412d-bf87-69185f3512ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1c1793b7-431c-4ca6-bb8b-0788a0a0fa86" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5399c1c2-e595-412d-bf87-69185f3512ea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5399c1c2-e595-412d-bf87-69185f3512ea_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5399c1c2-e595-412d-bf87-69185f3512ea" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5399c1c2-e595-412d-bf87-69185f3512ea_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d89e834f-1edb-4fec-84f6-26643b4e334b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5399c1c2-e595-412d-bf87-69185f3512ea" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d89e834f-1edb-4fec-84f6-26643b4e334b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_6fad0c1e-151f-4aef-a4aa-d6d4fab8d08c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d89e834f-1edb-4fec-84f6-26643b4e334b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_6fad0c1e-151f-4aef-a4aa-d6d4fab8d08c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_91a685c8-5bf2-45c6-935e-3dbcd15b70f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d89e834f-1edb-4fec-84f6-26643b4e334b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_91a685c8-5bf2-45c6-935e-3dbcd15b70f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationEquityinEarningsofUnconsolidatedInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#SegmentInformationEquityinEarningsofUnconsolidatedInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationEquityinEarningsofUnconsolidatedInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i53eda11595884d2bb8a461a6ffabfc62_SegmentInformationEquityinEarningsofUnconsolidatedInvestmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherSignificantReconcilingItemLineItems_93eff173-dba7-4247-8d5f-4f83ae34d187" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherSignificantReconcilingItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_957e730a-83e3-4503-9df4-7e319ac32cd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherSignificantReconcilingItemLineItems_93eff173-dba7-4247-8d5f-4f83ae34d187" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_957e730a-83e3-4503-9df4-7e319ac32cd7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOtherSignificantReconcilingItemsFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_d713c04f-6410-4dd1-8cbe-035ea258245f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOtherSignificantReconcilingItemsFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherSignificantReconcilingItemLineItems_93eff173-dba7-4247-8d5f-4f83ae34d187" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOtherSignificantReconcilingItemsFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_d713c04f-6410-4dd1-8cbe-035ea258245f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9c89e532-a580-457a-a46c-2a919fbaf695" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOtherSignificantReconcilingItemsFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_d713c04f-6410-4dd1-8cbe-035ea258245f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9c89e532-a580-457a-a46c-2a919fbaf695" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9c89e532-a580-457a-a46c-2a919fbaf695_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9c89e532-a580-457a-a46c-2a919fbaf695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9c89e532-a580-457a-a46c-2a919fbaf695_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7fa6efe3-2bd4-4077-bb0d-94a5513c55db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9c89e532-a580-457a-a46c-2a919fbaf695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7fa6efe3-2bd4-4077-bb0d-94a5513c55db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_63176f23-6939-4b76-bec6-dee70794a12c" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7fa6efe3-2bd4-4077-bb0d-94a5513c55db" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_63176f23-6939-4b76-bec6-dee70794a12c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#SegmentInformationSummaryofAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i00aceec64a7d4ac685472d48c1afb3f5_SegmentInformationSummaryofAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_bccc6b6d-7e50-4157-bcd8-cfd2a5d72317" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_05757cc8-0433-4a8e-a9e5-634e47119a7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_bccc6b6d-7e50-4157-bcd8-cfd2a5d72317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_05757cc8-0433-4a8e-a9e5-634e47119a7a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_2f90ab43-c7aa-4066-92d6-2b67e3c89ed7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_bccc6b6d-7e50-4157-bcd8-cfd2a5d72317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_2f90ab43-c7aa-4066-92d6-2b67e3c89ed7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_d2b4d17c-937c-4204-b567-4ef50f5871ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_bccc6b6d-7e50-4157-bcd8-cfd2a5d72317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_d2b4d17c-937c-4204-b567-4ef50f5871ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3b9fa6e4-f0d4-4cd6-8cb2-d9d53ff3e1c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_d2b4d17c-937c-4204-b567-4ef50f5871ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3b9fa6e4-f0d4-4cd6-8cb2-d9d53ff3e1c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3b9fa6e4-f0d4-4cd6-8cb2-d9d53ff3e1c3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3b9fa6e4-f0d4-4cd6-8cb2-d9d53ff3e1c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3b9fa6e4-f0d4-4cd6-8cb2-d9d53ff3e1c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c7a10c96-77e1-4912-8cc2-3751a072138a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_3b9fa6e4-f0d4-4cd6-8cb2-d9d53ff3e1c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c7a10c96-77e1-4912-8cc2-3751a072138a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_adb7ad23-b151-4ed1-a2c3-34d5850a0ff0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c7a10c96-77e1-4912-8cc2-3751a072138a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_adb7ad23-b151-4ed1-a2c3-34d5850a0ff0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_9581f448-db82-46d2-b6dd-fecd9c89a4be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c7a10c96-77e1-4912-8cc2-3751a072138a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_9581f448-db82-46d2-b6dd-fecd9c89a4be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_140b4584-9b45-44c5-ab5c-1d0f5b986317" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_d2b4d17c-937c-4204-b567-4ef50f5871ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_140b4584-9b45-44c5-ab5c-1d0f5b986317" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_140b4584-9b45-44c5-ab5c-1d0f5b986317_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_140b4584-9b45-44c5-ab5c-1d0f5b986317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_140b4584-9b45-44c5-ab5c-1d0f5b986317_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_422ca6ab-5741-4d5e-b0df-bd2512cd5968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_140b4584-9b45-44c5-ab5c-1d0f5b986317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_422ca6ab-5741-4d5e-b0df-bd2512cd5968" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_4413f2cf-96e3-4265-bf97-ece4882a4f94" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_422ca6ab-5741-4d5e-b0df-bd2512cd5968" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_4413f2cf-96e3-4265-bf97-ece4882a4f94" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_8d3195b3-d4be-45a4-a0e9-1389b95e177d" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_422ca6ab-5741-4d5e-b0df-bd2512cd5968" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_8d3195b3-d4be-45a4-a0e9-1389b95e177d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_3b29066e-e66f-4ac2-ae6d-b4959b2f3bf7" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_422ca6ab-5741-4d5e-b0df-bd2512cd5968" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_3b29066e-e66f-4ac2-ae6d-b4959b2f3bf7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofCapitalExpendituresDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#SegmentInformationSummaryofCapitalExpendituresDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationSummaryofCapitalExpendituresDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie8f7347030a74c82ab1fe1fe9e1861f4_SegmentInformationSummaryofCapitalExpendituresDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_d3da3488-fdde-446c-8c95-1fabd97d33c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions_c54f0f3d-4b4a-49f3-8a74-b0d3b8d84d95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_d3da3488-fdde-446c-8c95-1fabd97d33c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions_c54f0f3d-4b4a-49f3-8a74-b0d3b8d84d95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_a8038cc9-21b6-4383-8470-23da2f9a2e1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingAssetReconcilingItemLineItems_d3da3488-fdde-446c-8c95-1fabd97d33c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_a8038cc9-21b6-4383-8470-23da2f9a2e1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5ebf9e25-2dda-4c78-ac42-678864fcdcf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_a8038cc9-21b6-4383-8470-23da2f9a2e1b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5ebf9e25-2dda-4c78-ac42-678864fcdcf1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5ebf9e25-2dda-4c78-ac42-678864fcdcf1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5ebf9e25-2dda-4c78-ac42-678864fcdcf1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5ebf9e25-2dda-4c78-ac42-678864fcdcf1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2e703111-b658-4589-b019-bd5b99e9d330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5ebf9e25-2dda-4c78-ac42-678864fcdcf1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2e703111-b658-4589-b019-bd5b99e9d330" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_70aeac57-0dfe-4cfb-87da-e9f0720ca2f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2e703111-b658-4589-b019-bd5b99e9d330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_70aeac57-0dfe-4cfb-87da-e9f0720ca2f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_af441e5d-bc4c-4644-bfea-d2eb5bbfeb4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2e703111-b658-4589-b019-bd5b99e9d330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_af441e5d-bc4c-4644-bfea-d2eb5bbfeb4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3dd49ced-4d6d-447e-98ef-ae62943d8f4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfAssetsFromSegmentToConsolidatedTable_a8038cc9-21b6-4383-8470-23da2f9a2e1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3dd49ced-4d6d-447e-98ef-ae62943d8f4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3dd49ced-4d6d-447e-98ef-ae62943d8f4d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3dd49ced-4d6d-447e-98ef-ae62943d8f4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3dd49ced-4d6d-447e-98ef-ae62943d8f4d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_48cafc00-906c-4a39-94a1-dce2e7d206fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3dd49ced-4d6d-447e-98ef-ae62943d8f4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_48cafc00-906c-4a39-94a1-dce2e7d206fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_a8065839-2197-419b-b9b4-01c2131de4f1" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_48cafc00-906c-4a39-94a1-dce2e7d206fe" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_a8065839-2197-419b-b9b4-01c2131de4f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_b13f5c40-7036-4c39-9dd6-a1c3e813c82c" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_TwinSpiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_48cafc00-906c-4a39-94a1-dce2e7d206fe" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TwinSpiresMember_b13f5c40-7036-4c39-9dd6-a1c3e813c82c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_9f07d6f3-0ae4-4f59-b3ef-6760c5fe73a8" xlink:href="chdn-20220630.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_48cafc00-906c-4a39-94a1-dce2e7d206fe" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_9f07d6f3-0ae4-4f59-b3ef-6760c5fe73a8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
