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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019ffc56-4985-71be-a1a9-150c3b6d442c,g:0e530f90-b612-4fb3-a4a8-a701ddea7a85-->
<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-20260930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffc56-4b4c-70f3-bf06-6c097c449f07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffc56-4b4c-70f3-bf06-6c097c449f07" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-728e-bed8-4112878d677e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffc56-4b4c-70f3-bf06-6c097c449f07" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-728e-bed8-4112878d677e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-728e-bed8-4112878d677e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-728e-bed8-4112878d677e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-728e-bed8-4112878d677e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79d5-b3a1-a3c01904c2c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-728e-bed8-4112878d677e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79d5-b3a1-a3c01904c2c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-724e-98d6-d089eec45f8d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79d5-b3a1-a3c01904c2c9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-724e-98d6-d089eec45f8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-716a-9a56-a2caae85a21c" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79d5-b3a1-a3c01904c2c9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-716a-9a56-a2caae85a21c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7331-be30-4c7b65a554c2" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79d5-b3a1-a3c01904c2c9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7331-be30-4c7b65a554c2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_019ffc56-4b4c-742b-89dc-bc357c3ab33e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79d5-b3a1-a3c01904c2c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_019ffc56-4b4c-742b-89dc-bc357c3ab33e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-73f1-bf81-2c70a4c4e9ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-73f1-bf81-2c70a4c4e9ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4b4c-7fff-a5a0-0402c97f6ba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-73f1-bf81-2c70a4c4e9ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4b4c-7fff-a5a0-0402c97f6ba3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019ffc56-4b4c-7f1e-aa30-89a979cbad28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019ffc56-4b4c-7f1e-aa30-89a979cbad28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffc56-4b4c-7104-baa9-ee357e94c780" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffc56-4b4c-7104-baa9-ee357e94c780" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019ffc56-4b4c-70b0-ad8b-a4b8c6cb5f21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019ffc56-4b4c-70b0-ad8b-a4b8c6cb5f21" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_019ffc56-4b4c-7ac5-aece-2988b98eed46" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_Transactionexpensenet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:to="loc_chdn_Transactionexpensenet_019ffc56-4b4c-7ac5-aece-2988b98eed46" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019ffc56-4b4c-735f-a638-c2bc439f5d88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7779-9d43-63fd732f3b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019ffc56-4b4c-735f-a638-c2bc439f5d88" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7dac-bc72-7b37d01b130d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7dac-bc72-7b37d01b130d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-777b-9cae-381c8c551e20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-777b-9cae-381c8c551e20" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019ffc56-4b4c-7403-a7d1-f4e6759e54a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-777b-9cae-381c8c551e20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019ffc56-4b4c-7403-a7d1-f4e6759e54a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019ffc56-4b4c-7179-bd31-1600c4382487" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-777b-9cae-381c8c551e20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019ffc56-4b4c-7179-bd31-1600c4382487" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019ffc56-4b4c-74fa-bada-8959a55c86f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-777b-9cae-381c8c551e20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019ffc56-4b4c-74fa-bada-8959a55c86f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019ffc56-4b4c-775a-9909-05a477642753" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-777b-9cae-381c8c551e20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019ffc56-4b4c-775a-9909-05a477642753" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4b4c-702c-9962-ec5fbe33bcc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4b4c-702c-9962-ec5fbe33bcc5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019ffc56-4b4c-7483-abf2-8aad53f6b26b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019ffc56-4b4c-7483-abf2-8aad53f6b26b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7c23-9928-e07703f25fc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7c23-9928-e07703f25fc0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4b4c-73cb-8d04-291371b08109" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4b4c-73cb-8d04-291371b08109" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7d85-b045-badc6e26cc40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7d85-b045-badc6e26cc40" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7a2d-b951-e2b07fb815ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7a2d-b951-e2b07fb815ad" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_019ffc56-4b4c-7c94-9bc6-6fe4d6e46083" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7a2d-b951-e2b07fb815ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_019ffc56-4b4c-7c94-9bc6-6fe4d6e46083" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_019ffc56-4b4c-7cdd-930e-e9280c390063" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7a2d-b951-e2b07fb815ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_019ffc56-4b4c-7cdd-930e-e9280c390063" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7906-8fbd-f66784270cb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-750c-80dd-f26600888bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7906-8fbd-f66784270cb2" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4f-926b-ce257b9676f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7906-8fbd-f66784270cb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4f-926b-ce257b9676f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019ffc56-4b4c-74eb-a9d9-fd41bd0c5fb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019ffc56-4b4c-7906-8fbd-f66784270cb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019ffc56-4b4c-74eb-a9d9-fd41bd0c5fb3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7edc-8bf7-97d47a8ccb63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7ba1-b9f5-bd6aefe600b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7edc-8bf7-97d47a8ccb63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7ba1-b9f5-bd6aefe600b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73a5-b06c-b0ad614a5501" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7ba1-b9f5-bd6aefe600b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73a5-b06c-b0ad614a5501" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-73a5-b06c-b0ad614a5501_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73a5-b06c-b0ad614a5501" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-73a5-b06c-b0ad614a5501_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0b-af04-dfffda697f9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73a5-b06c-b0ad614a5501" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0b-af04-dfffda697f9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019ffc56-4b4c-75a9-aff0-7e40e6201e39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0b-af04-dfffda697f9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019ffc56-4b4c-75a9-aff0-7e40e6201e39" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-79c5-9324-1c71b23779ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0b-af04-dfffda697f9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-79c5-9324-1c71b23779ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffc56-4b4c-79ab-8c43-600759f5d8f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0b-af04-dfffda697f9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffc56-4b4c-79ab-8c43-600759f5d8f2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7edc-8bf7-97d47a8ccb63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019ffc56-4b4c-7413-bdec-51ba30c695a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019ffc56-4b4c-7413-bdec-51ba30c695a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffc56-4b4c-70d0-adbb-898901061175" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffc56-4b4c-70d0-adbb-898901061175" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7708-88e3-778710f5e57c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4b4c-7708-88e3-778710f5e57c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019ffc56-4b4c-7d4b-8c7e-c2a9126ec84d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019ffc56-4b4c-7d4b-8c7e-c2a9126ec84d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_01a0b3a3-e19f-745d-9bb7-87d04a3624e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_01a0b3a3-e19f-745d-9bb7-87d04a3624e0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01a0b3a3-e19f-7985-9bfe-625cbf3bf6c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01a0b3a3-e19f-7985-9bfe-625cbf3bf6c1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019ffc56-4b4c-7609-9f4c-e0648ad8fa46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019ffc56-4b4c-7609-9f4c-e0648ad8fa46" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019ffc56-4b4c-7b16-97d0-26e62c05d803" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019ffc56-4b4c-7b16-97d0-26e62c05d803" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb2-8176-657e44d83d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb2-8176-657e44d83d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_019ffc56-4b4c-7773-8b13-04541efe449e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffc56-4b4c-709f-b741-7f29754a4ea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_019ffc56-4b4c-7773-8b13-04541efe449e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019ffc56-4b4c-7e42-b9a7-31b5c95c3182" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffc56-4b4c-7427-b441-d3a2fc766e88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-75d5-91f3-97a8470fdad9" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_019ffc56-4b4c-73ef-ad9d-6f709c0878bf" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-75d5-91f3-97a8470fdad9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_019ffc56-4b4c-73ef-ad9d-6f709c0878bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-74ba-8d61-d8af9d9bdf64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_019ffc56-4b4c-73ef-ad9d-6f709c0878bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-74ba-8d61-d8af9d9bdf64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ba-8d61-d8af9d9bdf64_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-74ba-8d61-d8af9d9bdf64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ba-8d61-d8af9d9bdf64_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7b7d-98db-c3eb778ac8fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-74ba-8d61-d8af9d9bdf64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7b7d-98db-c3eb778ac8fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoResortsNHHoldingsLLCMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7bc4-9a92-048de4173239" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoResortsNHHoldingsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7b7d-98db-c3eb778ac8fd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoResortsNHHoldingsLLCMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7bc4-9a92-048de4173239" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_01a119f6-250a-79be-b86d-5b65a40377cf" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7b7d-98db-c3eb778ac8fd" xlink:to="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_01a119f6-250a-79be-b86d-5b65a40377cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_01a119f6-250a-77c6-b33e-02744cf64d97" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-75d5-91f3-97a8470fdad9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_01a119f6-250a-77c6-b33e-02744cf64d97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_019ffc56-4b4c-74f8-8fa5-cb79083a781d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-75d5-91f3-97a8470fdad9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_019ffc56-4b4c-74f8-8fa5-cb79083a781d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019ffc56-4b4c-7adc-af6b-6ee5669a2f30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-75d5-91f3-97a8470fdad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019ffc56-4b4c-7adc-af6b-6ee5669a2f30" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_019ffc56-4b4c-7078-a7ac-c768d90a2815" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-75d5-91f3-97a8470fdad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_019ffc56-4b4c-7078-a7ac-c768d90a2815" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-73de-8721-087cb39cf042" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-762d-ae4d-d9ea120ef6bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-73de-8721-087cb39cf042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-762d-ae4d-d9ea120ef6bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79f1-b06c-708c2f5b5565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-762d-ae4d-d9ea120ef6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79f1-b06c-708c2f5b5565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79f1-b06c-708c2f5b5565_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79f1-b06c-708c2f5b5565" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79f1-b06c-708c2f5b5565_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70d2-a332-5e5e612673c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79f1-b06c-708c2f5b5565" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70d2-a332-5e5e612673c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_019ffc56-4b4c-71c9-88fb-84b343d086d3" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70d2-a332-5e5e612673c9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_019ffc56-4b4c-71c9-88fb-84b343d086d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7d1f-94d8-fa2d2ece0de0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-762d-ae4d-d9ea120ef6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7d1f-94d8-fa2d2ece0de0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d1f-94d8-fa2d2ece0de0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7d1f-94d8-fa2d2ece0de0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d1f-94d8-fa2d2ece0de0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7e73-9594-f1c481d122f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7d1f-94d8-fa2d2ece0de0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7e73-9594-f1c481d122f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-795f-993c-226d51b0bc95" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7e73-9594-f1c481d122f0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-795f-993c-226d51b0bc95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_019ffc56-4b4c-7339-9f4a-4bd2b5918dc8" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-73de-8721-087cb39cf042" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_019ffc56-4b4c-7339-9f4a-4bd2b5918dc8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_019ffc56-4b4c-73f5-a569-4f42737ff3b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-73de-8721-087cb39cf042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_019ffc56-4b4c-73f5-a569-4f42737ff3b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedAssetAcquiredIdentifiableIntangibleAssetIndefiniteLived_019ffc56-4b4c-755c-9033-1133e9a4a88f" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedAssetAcquiredIdentifiableIntangibleAssetIndefiniteLived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-73de-8721-087cb39cf042" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedAssetAcquiredIdentifiableIntangibleAssetIndefiniteLived_019ffc56-4b4c-755c-9033-1133e9a4a88f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_01a10fc3-0bf6-7227-aeaf-6b5693e26dd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a10fc3-0bf6-7cdc-ba43-b309d502ea04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_01a10fc3-0bf6-7227-aeaf-6b5693e26dd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a10fc3-0bf6-7cdc-ba43-b309d502ea04" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-75f2-ba83-04d883398cb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a10fc3-0bf6-7cdc-ba43-b309d502ea04" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-75f2-ba83-04d883398cb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-75f2-ba83-04d883398cb8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-75f2-ba83-04d883398cb8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-75f2-ba83-04d883398cb8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e0d-a38f-5321435fa8a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-75f2-ba83-04d883398cb8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e0d-a38f-5321435fa8a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_FormerOwnersOfChasersPokerRoomMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7d2b-a24d-15d26cb478ce" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_FormerOwnersOfChasersPokerRoomMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e0d-a38f-5321435fa8a3" xlink:to="loc_chdn_FormerOwnersOfChasersPokerRoomMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7d2b-a24d-15d26cb478ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e59-be9a-4330e75edda4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a10fc3-0bf6-7cdc-ba43-b309d502ea04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e59-be9a-4330e75edda4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e59-be9a-4330e75edda4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e59-be9a-4330e75edda4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e59-be9a-4330e75edda4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-74c2-a552-ec21ab33cbfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7e59-be9a-4330e75edda4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-74c2-a552-ec21ab33cbfe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7961-94e6-875a5bd91c8a" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-74c2-a552-ec21ab33cbfe" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7961-94e6-875a5bd91c8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-76dc-9897-1f41542be565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a10fc3-0bf6-7cdc-ba43-b309d502ea04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-76dc-9897-1f41542be565" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-76dc-9897-1f41542be565_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-76dc-9897-1f41542be565" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-76dc-9897-1f41542be565_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7174-92c6-0a69443ab9e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-76dc-9897-1f41542be565" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7174-92c6-0a69443ab9e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7f74-a683-f86ea52c803e" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7174-92c6-0a69443ab9e9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingRightsMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7f74-a683-f86ea52c803e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7c3f-b6da-7ee528963d81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a10fc3-0bf6-7cdc-ba43-b309d502ea04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7c3f-b6da-7ee528963d81" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7c3f-b6da-7ee528963d81_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7c3f-b6da-7ee528963d81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7c3f-b6da-7ee528963d81_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7217-9be5-34535952beae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a10fc3-0bf6-7c3f-b6da-7ee528963d81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7217-9be5-34535952beae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7332-9393-14600e13020c" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a10fc3-0bf6-7217-9be5-34535952beae" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_01a10fc3-0bf6-7332-9393-14600e13020c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffc56-4b4c-74a9-93a2-585536bb4e98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_01a10fc3-0bf6-7227-aeaf-6b5693e26dd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffc56-4b4c-74a9-93a2-585536bb4e98" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentLiabilities_01a10fc3-0bf6-7a25-b941-004b64ebf26c" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_01a10fc3-0bf6-7227-aeaf-6b5693e26dd9" xlink:to="loc_chdn_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentLiabilities_01a10fc3-0bf6-7a25-b941-004b64ebf26c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredContingentConsideration_01a10fc3-0bf6-7747-aa71-6dc529746f7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredContingentConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_01a10fc3-0bf6-7227-aeaf-6b5693e26dd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredContingentConsideration_01a10fc3-0bf6-7747-aa71-6dc529746f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_01a10fc3-0bf6-7fbd-bbcc-a60248d3edbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_01a10fc3-0bf6-7227-aeaf-6b5693e26dd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_01a10fc3-0bf6-7fbd-bbcc-a60248d3edbe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-77aa-8b42-639f206585de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_019ffc56-4b4c-71ef-878f-2b2b03b9a0db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-77aa-8b42-639f206585de" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_019ffc56-4b4c-71ef-878f-2b2b03b9a0db" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7694-9af7-f6990479d0f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_019ffc56-4b4c-71ef-878f-2b2b03b9a0db" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7694-9af7-f6990479d0f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7694-9af7-f6990479d0f4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7694-9af7-f6990479d0f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7694-9af7-f6990479d0f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-78b6-b9ec-46c9dc2210de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7694-9af7-f6990479d0f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-78b6-b9ec-46c9dc2210de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-761f-bcbe-65449abda102" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-78b6-b9ec-46c9dc2210de" xlink:to="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-761f-bcbe-65449abda102" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7dd2-babb-29c77f5aa6b7" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-78b6-b9ec-46c9dc2210de" xlink:to="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7dd2-babb-29c77f5aa6b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019ffc56-4b4c-7355-800f-7d2afef85bbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-77aa-8b42-639f206585de" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019ffc56-4b4c-7355-800f-7d2afef85bbf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019ffc56-4b4c-7ac1-a9d1-d1f7eb1eacdb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-77aa-8b42-639f206585de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019ffc56-4b4c-7ac1-a9d1-d1f7eb1eacdb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLiability_01a10fcd-d3aa-7cc1-8e66-4fb6f51ebde4" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-77aa-8b42-639f206585de" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ShareRepurchaseProgramLiability_01a10fcd-d3aa-7cc1-8e66-4fb6f51ebde4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleofRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7970-b609-0717434f2b74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7922-85b0-860245b0ddcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7970-b609-0717434f2b74" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7922-85b0-860245b0ddcc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-789e-8b99-8d663b01d4c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7922-85b0-860245b0ddcc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-789e-8b99-8d663b01d4c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-789e-8b99-8d663b01d4c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-789e-8b99-8d663b01d4c6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-789e-8b99-8d663b01d4c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-702d-a5e8-7621a08a3fc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-789e-8b99-8d663b01d4c6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-702d-a5e8-7621a08a3fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7199-9286-643a7afbe8a7" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-702d-a5e8-7621a08a3fc8" xlink:to="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7199-9286-643a7afbe8a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-75c6-9e80-de2b513520ae" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-702d-a5e8-7621a08a3fc8" xlink:to="loc_chdn_March2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-75c6-9e80-de2b513520ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-76da-8207-e48557de0641" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-702d-a5e8-7621a08a3fc8" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2021StockRepurchaseProgramMember_019ffc56-4b4c-76da-8207-e48557de0641" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019ffc56-4b4c-7b9f-9b5e-2a3adb6af679" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7970-b609-0717434f2b74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019ffc56-4b4c-7b9f-9b5e-2a3adb6af679" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019ffc56-4b4c-77b6-8abf-455be7918f40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7970-b609-0717434f2b74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019ffc56-4b4c-77b6-8abf-455be7918f40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b56-b1ce-4ed58c36483f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b56-b1ce-4ed58c36483f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7093-b991-32fe59a6e3b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b56-b1ce-4ed58c36483f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7093-b991-32fe59a6e3b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7093-b991-32fe59a6e3b8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7093-b991-32fe59a6e3b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7093-b991-32fe59a6e3b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7f73-9193-3f99e8da715e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7093-b991-32fe59a6e3b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7f73-9193-3f99e8da715e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7975-b3a7-ba7b9fce8eee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7f73-9193-3f99e8da715e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7975-b3a7-ba7b9fce8eee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-790c-b6bf-0f23a8530323" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b56-b1ce-4ed58c36483f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-790c-b6bf-0f23a8530323" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-790c-b6bf-0f23a8530323_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-790c-b6bf-0f23a8530323" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-790c-b6bf-0f23a8530323_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7712-8c3d-459b229d418b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-790c-b6bf-0f23a8530323" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7712-8c3d-459b229d418b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7ca9-934b-6b917d84efdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7712-8c3d-459b229d418b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7ca9-934b-6b917d84efdf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7676-a7c9-e6e6eafe7ffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b56-b1ce-4ed58c36483f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7676-a7c9-e6e6eafe7ffa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7676-a7c9-e6e6eafe7ffa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7676-a7c9-e6e6eafe7ffa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7676-a7c9-e6e6eafe7ffa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d57-8e42-00a872836839" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7676-a7c9-e6e6eafe7ffa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d57-8e42-00a872836839" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember_019ffc56-4b4c-795e-a534-98c524f5db22" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d57-8e42-00a872836839" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember_019ffc56-4b4c-795e-a534-98c524f5db22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019ffc56-4b4c-7b01-aa65-8fde78970004" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019ffc56-4b4c-7b01-aa65-8fde78970004" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-72a2-acb4-a1120925ea15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-72a2-acb4-a1120925ea15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-711a-9c90-cc876f3bfa00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-711a-9c90-cc876f3bfa00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions_019ffc56-4b4c-7519-8ff0-434a1ba8d2a6" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceConditions_019ffc56-4b4c-7519-8ff0-434a1ba8d2a6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff1-8eb7-d0b6795d8dcd" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-757b-939f-6ea366118224" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NumberOfPerformanceCriteria_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff1-8eb7-d0b6795d8dcd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/StockbasedCompensationPlansSummaryofRSUsandPSUsGrantedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7995-bbdd-36e19d27b20b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b3d-9f26-4657fe5f1f4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7995-bbdd-36e19d27b20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b3d-9f26-4657fe5f1f4f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7a79-95bc-00330738421f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b3d-9f26-4657fe5f1f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7a79-95bc-00330738421f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7a79-95bc-00330738421f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7a79-95bc-00330738421f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7a79-95bc-00330738421f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ac-b761-abfc30b1797d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7a79-95bc-00330738421f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ac-b761-abfc30b1797d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019ffc56-4b4c-70fb-86ba-ed2d43300c24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ac-b761-abfc30b1797d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019ffc56-4b4c-70fb-86ba-ed2d43300c24" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7a39-98b0-61288e8f7e11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ac-b761-abfc30b1797d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7a39-98b0-61288e8f7e11" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7540-a936-1366cbec7504" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-74ac-b761-abfc30b1797d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7540-a936-1366cbec7504" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71e4-8736-2330fe9e44d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7b3d-9f26-4657fe5f1f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71e4-8736-2330fe9e44d5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-71e4-8736-2330fe9e44d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71e4-8736-2330fe9e44d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-71e4-8736-2330fe9e44d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70a4-904d-7ddb98b35899" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71e4-8736-2330fe9e44d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70a4-904d-7ddb98b35899" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019ffc56-4b4c-78e6-8d09-9b36b0ea4b91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70a4-904d-7ddb98b35899" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019ffc56-4b4c-78e6-8d09-9b36b0ea4b91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7693-825a-b65b24d70735" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70a4-904d-7ddb98b35899" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7693-825a-b65b24d70735" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019ffc56-4b4c-7870-83d3-3b5ba7dcf037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7995-bbdd-36e19d27b20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019ffc56-4b4c-7870-83d3-3b5ba7dcf037" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-7af8-b6af-8fd9db79a862" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7995-bbdd-36e19d27b20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-7af8-b6af-8fd9db79a862" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7b4b-b7d5-83c207b0966e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffc56-4b4c-751b-9320-533e2f491549" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7b4b-b7d5-83c207b0966e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffc56-4b4c-751b-9320-533e2f491549" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7876-a35b-eda4eccff630" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffc56-4b4c-751b-9320-533e2f491549" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7876-a35b-eda4eccff630" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7876-a35b-eda4eccff630_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7876-a35b-eda4eccff630" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7876-a35b-eda4eccff630_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c87-96aa-e1362fc9c129" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7876-a35b-eda4eccff630" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c87-96aa-e1362fc9c129" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffc56-4b4c-71e6-a337-7d9988279d7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c87-96aa-e1362fc9c129" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffc56-4b4c-71e6-a337-7d9988279d7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7086-9c59-9f23cc134f37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7c87-96aa-e1362fc9c129" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7086-9c59-9f23cc134f37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8ad8-82ea327046e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffc56-4b4c-751b-9320-533e2f491549" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8ad8-82ea327046e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8ad8-82ea327046e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8ad8-82ea327046e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8ad8-82ea327046e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8ad8-82ea327046e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2031RevolverMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0e-a686-bfab587ef511" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_A2031RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2031RevolverMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7c0e-a686-bfab587ef511" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member_01a10fd0-272c-7130-bd35-f013d85df18d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member_01a10fd0-272c-7130-bd35-f013d85df18d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member_01a10fcf-ae04-7781-9c4f-fbb69719c31f" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member_01a10fcf-ae04-7781-9c4f-fbb69719c31f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7d61-b99f-20d2a0ec1f48" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7d61-b99f-20d2a0ec1f48" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7091-b109-df4906c70618" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7091-b109-df4906c70618" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7f72-8ffe-f4b426a501c8" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7f72-8ffe-f4b426a501c8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb3-86dc-fed7f8d6a7ce" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb3-86dc-fed7f8d6a7ce" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8407-76a3ba20f572" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-712f-8607-3d0438799310" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_019ffc56-4b4c-783b-8407-76a3ba20f572" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4c-a4c8-ae3c78fe3152" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffc56-4b4c-751b-9320-533e2f491549" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4c-a4c8-ae3c78fe3152" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4c-a4c8-ae3c78fe3152_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4c-a4c8-ae3c78fe3152" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4c-a4c8-ae3c78fe3152_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7562-9892-870c8202aa1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7f4c-a4c8-ae3c78fe3152" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7562-9892-870c8202aa1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7e28-8335-337213d4a231" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7562-9892-870c8202aa1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7e28-8335-337213d4a231" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7ce5-8c6e-db7ed0153a13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7562-9892-870c8202aa1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7ce5-8c6e-db7ed0153a13" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019ffc56-4b4c-77e8-be41-d74e6d950f5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7b4b-b7d5-83c207b0966e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019ffc56-4b4c-77e8-be41-d74e6d950f5e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-7f5c-8ad2-fb6fbf108b9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7b4b-b7d5-83c207b0966e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-7f5c-8ad2-fb6fbf108b9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_019ffc56-4b4c-7d5b-ae16-30f1d8801337" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7b4b-b7d5-83c207b0966e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_019ffc56-4b4c-7d5b-ae16-30f1d8801337" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-75fc-85c2-5bc1d006815f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7b4b-b7d5-83c207b0966e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-75fc-85c2-5bc1d006815f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#DebtAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a11a40-a681-791f-8b82-e944b71095ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a11a40-a681-791f-8b82-e944b71095ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a11a40-a681-7afe-8ba7-d60d20d15aaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a11a40-a681-791f-8b82-e944b71095ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a11a40-a681-7afe-8ba7-d60d20d15aaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7afe-8ba7-d60d20d15aaf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a11a40-a681-7afe-8ba7-d60d20d15aaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7afe-8ba7-d60d20d15aaf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7838-9d93-8b6d5b36dae2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a11a40-a681-7afe-8ba7-d60d20d15aaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7838-9d93-8b6d5b36dae2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a11a40-a681-7687-98a6-0322663f4821" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7838-9d93-8b6d5b36dae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a11a40-a681-7687-98a6-0322663f4821" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_01a11a40-a681-7a78-8491-ca2a5c778413" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7838-9d93-8b6d5b36dae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_01a11a40-a681-7a78-8491-ca2a5c778413" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_01a11a40-a681-73eb-8593-41030acfbb4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7838-9d93-8b6d5b36dae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_01a11a40-a681-73eb-8593-41030acfbb4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a11a40-a681-739d-a645-6c6b59021c5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a11a40-a681-7838-9d93-8b6d5b36dae2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a11a40-a681-739d-a645-6c6b59021c5f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a11a40-a681-7fb0-82fb-e4fd82ee0f1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a11a40-a681-791f-8b82-e944b71095ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a11a40-a681-7fb0-82fb-e4fd82ee0f1d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a11a40-a681-7fb0-82fb-e4fd82ee0f1d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a11a40-a681-7fb0-82fb-e4fd82ee0f1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a11a40-a681-7fb0-82fb-e4fd82ee0f1d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a11a40-a681-7da9-bf9c-804fd2d097e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a11a40-a681-7fb0-82fb-e4fd82ee0f1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a11a40-a681-7da9-bf9c-804fd2d097e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a11a40-a681-7d72-9cb2-e80dcd44acee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a11a40-a681-7da9-bf9c-804fd2d097e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a11a40-a681-7d72-9cb2-e80dcd44acee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_01a11a40-a681-7d07-ac78-a6434ff15109" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a11a40-a681-7da9-bf9c-804fd2d097e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_01a11a40-a681-7d07-ac78-a6434ff15109" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a11a40-a681-7569-97eb-87001e481aa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a11a40-a681-791f-8b82-e944b71095ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a11a40-a681-7569-97eb-87001e481aa4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7569-97eb-87001e481aa4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a11a40-a681-7569-97eb-87001e481aa4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7569-97eb-87001e481aa4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a11a40-a681-7569-97eb-87001e481aa4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member_01a11a40-a681-75c2-8816-2d5fc27b7b46" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member_01a11a40-a681-75c2-8816-2d5fc27b7b46" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member_01a11a40-a681-7616-94a9-d77dd10b6a17" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member_01a11a40-a681-7616-94a9-d77dd10b6a17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_01a11a40-a681-7cb3-8183-4f042207c63e" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_01a11a40-a681-7cb3-8183-4f042207c63e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_01a11a40-a681-7d87-b386-8e12b37564e6" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CreditAgreementAmendmentMember_01a11a40-a681-7d87-b386-8e12b37564e6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_01a11a41-cadc-799d-b9e0-113a087a41c4" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_01a11a41-cadc-799d-b9e0-113a087a41c4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_01a11a41-cadc-74b7-841f-5e704f156b32" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_01a11a41-cadc-74b7-841f-5e704f156b32" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_01a11a41-cadc-7b42-8e60-cfe63d0e68b5" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028ExistingMember_01a11a41-cadc-7b42-8e60-cfe63d0e68b5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_01a11a41-cadc-7a02-acae-f2ed57219786" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028AdditionalMember_01a11a41-cadc-7a02-acae-f2ed57219786" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_01a11a41-cadc-70b0-9306-9ef0ccd6dd0a" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_01a11a41-cadc-70b0-9306-9ef0ccd6dd0a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_01a11a41-cadc-79d5-b35a-865961337129" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a11a40-a681-7a07-8c59-9872fdd5e258" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_01a11a41-cadc-79d5-b35a-865961337129" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a11a40-a681-77a6-a36e-6783355ca304" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a11a40-a681-77a6-a36e-6783355ca304" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_01a11a40-a681-75c5-bde6-eceb09d1ae0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_01a11a40-a681-75c5-bde6-eceb09d1ae0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_01a11a40-a681-7af7-8453-ce8ba49c8640" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_01a11a40-a681-7af7-8453-ce8ba49c8640" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a11a40-a681-77f0-9253-8ea752c95146" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a11a40-a681-77f0-9253-8ea752c95146" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration_01a11a40-a681-7203-91c2-afd0bee61fec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration_01a11a40-a681-7203-91c2-afd0bee61fec" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_01a11a40-a681-7a5d-86c6-a1a166e676fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_01a11a40-a681-7a5d-86c6-a1a166e676fe" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal_01a11a40-a681-71bd-b67d-be681e26b714" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodPaymentPercentageOfPrincipal_01a11a40-a681-71bd-b67d-be681e26b714" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_01a1359e-df7c-7a07-a4b9-ace97c6d89d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_01a1359e-df7c-7a07-a4b9-ace97c6d89d4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a1359f-3174-7fb3-a655-01c5a2f04da6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a1359f-3174-7fb3-a655-01c5a2f04da6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentIssuedPrincipalPercentage_01a1359f-3174-7473-95de-fcc68105f8c6" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentIssuedPrincipalPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentIssuedPrincipalPercentage_01a1359f-3174-7473-95de-fcc68105f8c6" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtIssuanceCostsAmortizationPeriod_01a1359f-3174-777e-9ac1-17ce204aba82" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DebtIssuanceCostsAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtIssuanceCostsAmortizationPeriod_01a1359f-3174-777e-9ac1-17ce204aba82" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_01a1359f-3174-7360-8095-794f60f4770b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_01a1359f-3174-7360-8095-794f60f4770b" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease_01a1359f-3174-7ef9-8886-306fc8b83f31" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease_01a1359f-3174-7ef9-8886-306fc8b83f31" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateSpread_01a1359f-3174-71a9-8e0d-50e2eb8c7b90" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateSpread"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateSpread_01a1359f-3174-71a9-8e0d-50e2eb8c7b90" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a1359f-3174-77a9-9cf0-808c713fddd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a1359f-3174-77a9-9cf0-808c713fddd1" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_01a1359f-3174-7171-bd9b-c38c04cf9864" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_01a1359f-3174-7171-bd9b-c38c04cf9864" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_01a1359f-3174-72c1-8726-8b872a531739" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a11a40-a681-76a4-a5aa-8fade6213e2e" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremiumPercentage_01a1359f-3174-72c1-8726-8b872a531739" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7f48-8db5-dee0d3d15509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7f48-8db5-dee0d3d15509" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-703e-a82b-1c05717a47f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7f48-8db5-dee0d3d15509" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-703e-a82b-1c05717a47f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-7564-9434-1daf03c47e03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-7564-9434-1daf03c47e03" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019ffc56-4b4c-760a-a202-f1d0d5e7710e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019ffc56-4b4c-760a-a202-f1d0d5e7710e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7f48-8db5-dee0d3d15509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7f48-8db5-dee0d3d15509" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-7564-9434-1daf03c47e03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019ffc56-4b4c-7564-9434-1daf03c47e03" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019ffc56-4b4c-760a-a202-f1d0d5e7710e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7fcf-a04b-669d0ccf6a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019ffc56-4b4c-760a-a202-f1d0d5e7710e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7007-b875-3c1de963921b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7007-b875-3c1de963921b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7385-968d-f199295e5d20" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7385-968d-f199295e5d20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7385-968d-f199295e5d20_default" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7385-968d-f199295e5d20" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7385-968d-f199295e5d20_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_chdn_PropertyByLocationAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-7385-968d-f199295e5d20" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7295-bcd4-aa660d713f0c" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7295-bcd4-aa660d713f0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-739d-8577-43fc43951348" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LouisvillePropertyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-739d-8577-43fc43951348" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7e13-bfd1-15eaf33bffc5" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_NorthernKentuckyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7e13-bfd1-15eaf33bffc5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7ec3-8aac-28c74ffd264a" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SouthwesternKentuckyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7ec3-8aac-28c74ffd264a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WesternKentuckyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7bae-8626-d14841015d18" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WesternKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WesternKentuckyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7bae-8626-d14841015d18" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_VA_019ffc56-4b4c-7208-b34d-39e8cde526a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_VA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_VA_019ffc56-4b4c-7208-b34d-39e8cde526a0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_NH_019ffc56-4b4c-7b9e-917e-57e6fe013947" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_NH"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_NH_019ffc56-4b4c-7b9e-917e-57e6fe013947" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_FL_019ffc56-4b4c-7e99-aa4e-18228659a10c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_FL"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_FL_019ffc56-4b4c-7e99-aa4e-18228659a10c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_IA_019ffc56-4b4c-763a-82f4-1726a4e7db29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_IA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_IA_019ffc56-4b4c-763a-82f4-1726a4e7db29" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_IN_019ffc56-4b4c-77f8-9b0f-8a60e0113776" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_IN"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_IN_019ffc56-4b4c-77f8-9b0f-8a60e0113776" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_LA_019ffc56-4b4c-79f6-b4fd-0c0d583986ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_LA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_LA_019ffc56-4b4c-79f6-b4fd-0c0d583986ac" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_ME_019ffc56-4b4c-735a-bfc7-25515e1080a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_ME"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_ME_019ffc56-4b4c-735a-bfc7-25515e1080a7" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MD_019ffc56-4b4c-7752-9d30-edbdeb973de4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_MD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MD_019ffc56-4b4c-7752-9d30-edbdeb973de4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MS_019ffc56-4b4c-75c5-8ba7-9f2d16b8beb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_MS"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MS_019ffc56-4b4c-75c5-8ba7-9f2d16b8beb3" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_NY_019ffc56-4b4c-7e61-b2ba-37a113573975" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_NY"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_NY_019ffc56-4b4c-7e61-b2ba-37a113573975" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_PA_019ffc56-4b4c-7837-b62d-40e16d9f1303" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_PA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_CasinoByLocationDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb9-9739-38dae40137e2" xlink:to="loc_stpr_PA_019ffc56-4b4c-7837-b62d-40e16d9f1303" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-70e6-8641-caaa076ca232" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-70e6-8641-caaa076ca232" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70e6-8641-caaa076ca232_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-70e6-8641-caaa076ca232" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-70e6-8641-caaa076ca232_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fef-b532-a66b3d70eba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-70e6-8641-caaa076ca232" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fef-b532-a66b3d70eba3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7e7c-a55c-42bf7afa02bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fef-b532-a66b3d70eba3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7e7c-a55c-42bf7afa02bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7050-a26b-a8d91f1c5d8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fef-b532-a66b3d70eba3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7050-a26b-a8d91f1c5d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7193-87da-20aaa17edd0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7fef-b532-a66b3d70eba3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7193-87da-20aaa17edd0e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-72b5-85d3-e6637bc68640" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-72b5-85d3-e6637bc68640" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-72b5-85d3-e6637bc68640_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-72b5-85d3-e6637bc68640" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-72b5-85d3-e6637bc68640_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d23-997a-89b393191237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-72b5-85d3-e6637bc68640" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d23-997a-89b393191237" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7804-8e30-c51c6c770fe4" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d23-997a-89b393191237" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7804-8e30-c51c6c770fe4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7b3e-adb1-c131073854a1" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d23-997a-89b393191237" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7b3e-adb1-c131073854a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4b4c-766a-afb5-ab52107998c7" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d23-997a-89b393191237" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4b4c-766a-afb5-ab52107998c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79ba-95a1-fa62853f404b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79ba-95a1-fa62853f404b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79ba-95a1-fa62853f404b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79ba-95a1-fa62853f404b" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-79ba-95a1-fa62853f404b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-72ac-978f-92ab5dfab968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-79ba-95a1-fa62853f404b" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-72ac-978f-92ab5dfab968" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_019ffc56-4b4c-73bf-b8ce-7c9fcdb8a193" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-72ac-978f-92ab5dfab968" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_019ffc56-4b4c-73bf-b8ce-7c9fcdb8a193" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71b2-99ca-f143badf9e32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71b2-99ca-f143badf9e32" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-71b2-99ca-f143badf9e32_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71b2-99ca-f143badf9e32" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-71b2-99ca-f143badf9e32_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-71b2-99ca-f143badf9e32" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7cba-9d81-b43840a120eb" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7cba-9d81-b43840a120eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb5-9da4-b816a9e029df" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7fb5-9da4-b816a9e029df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7b77-bd23-953002557a99" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RacingEventRelatedServicesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7b77-bd23-953002557a99" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7481-9479-bb5957699d40" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7481-9479-bb5957699d40" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_019ffc56-4b4c-76ce-b06b-e0490bc92dd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-779a-becf-99ab74728432" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_019ffc56-4b4c-76ce-b06b-e0490bc92dd4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-764b-80c7-6fd8ae49bdcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7009-a763-713724af0058" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-764b-80c7-6fd8ae49bdcb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-764b-80c7-6fd8ae49bdcb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-764b-80c7-6fd8ae49bdcb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-764b-80c7-6fd8ae49bdcb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7068-b7e8-e1484492575a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-764b-80c7-6fd8ae49bdcb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7068-b7e8-e1484492575a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-729e-aaba-aed6b80b8a67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7068-b7e8-e1484492575a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019ffc56-4b4c-729e-aaba-aed6b80b8a67" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4b4c-7dc7-9663-0bb14576bded" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7007-b875-3c1de963921b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4b4c-7dc7-9663-0bb14576bded" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_019ffc56-4b4c-7d21-92ab-5b32029d3c88" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7007-b875-3c1de963921b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisclosureOfComplimentaryRevenue_019ffc56-4b4c-7d21-92ab-5b32029d3c88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SupplementalBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#SupplementalBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SupplementalBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff3-993f-c4fb5173e964" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7178-8845-a2a2821f1d3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff3-993f-c4fb5173e964" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7178-8845-a2a2821f1d3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73ce-841e-cee93f97ad3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019ffc56-4b4c-7178-8845-a2a2821f1d3f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73ce-841e-cee93f97ad3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-73ce-841e-cee93f97ad3c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73ce-841e-cee93f97ad3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-73ce-841e-cee93f97ad3c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d6f-9822-c01ad6400cd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019ffc56-4b4c-73ce-841e-cee93f97ad3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d6f-9822-c01ad6400cd0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7703-9de1-1ff73f76e34d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d6f-9822-c01ad6400cd0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TradeAccountReceivableMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7703-9de1-1ff73f76e34d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7951-b585-1e690c210974" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d6f-9822-c01ad6400cd0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7951-b585-1e690c210974" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherReceivablesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7b68-87e8-2afc054a62ca" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_OtherReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019ffc56-4b4c-7d6f-9822-c01ad6400cd0" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherReceivablesMember_019ffc56-4b4c-7b68-87e8-2afc054a62ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-7e7c-93e0-f4016b47133d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff3-993f-c4fb5173e964" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-7e7c-93e0-f4016b47133d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-74fb-8cef-9a3c2ff83170" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff3-993f-c4fb5173e964" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-74fb-8cef-9a3c2ff83170" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-7a43-955f-032e9160e003" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019ffc56-4b4c-7ff3-993f-c4fb5173e964" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_019ffc56-4b4c-7a43-955f-032e9160e003" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7065-ae46-184c805ad0e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_019ffc56-4be7-7fe6-822c-276c11bdb660" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7065-ae46-184c805ad0e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_019ffc56-4be7-7fe6-822c-276c11bdb660" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-786f-a8b4-b5ff8a737746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_019ffc56-4be7-7fe6-822c-276c11bdb660" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-786f-a8b4-b5ff8a737746" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-786f-a8b4-b5ff8a737746_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-786f-a8b4-b5ff8a737746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-786f-a8b4-b5ff8a737746_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c2e-8a58-23edb8a7fb96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-786f-a8b4-b5ff8a737746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c2e-8a58-23edb8a7fb96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_019ffc56-4be7-7649-adf0-6701ee1ed615" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c2e-8a58-23edb8a7fb96" xlink:to="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_019ffc56-4be7-7649-adf0-6701ee1ed615" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7b83-9175-b3cc98bb28e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_019ffc56-4be7-7fe6-822c-276c11bdb660" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7b83-9175-b3cc98bb28e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b83-9175-b3cc98bb28e0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7b83-9175-b3cc98bb28e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b83-9175-b3cc98bb28e0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7711-8125-7f08e8b3a511" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7b83-9175-b3cc98bb28e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7711-8125-7f08e8b3a511" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_019ffc56-4be7-74d2-a16d-4f432be69180" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoSalemMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7711-8125-7f08e8b3a511" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoSalemMember_019ffc56-4be7-74d2-a16d-4f432be69180" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_01a11ae3-53e4-7998-b638-5e2a355345fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_019ffc56-4be7-7fe6-822c-276c11bdb660" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_01a11ae3-53e4-7998-b638-5e2a355345fe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_01a11ae3-53e4-7998-b638-5e2a355345fe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_01a11ae3-53e4-7998-b638-5e2a355345fe" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_01a11ae3-53e4-7998-b638-5e2a355345fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_01a11ae3-53e4-7174-90cb-6ff0cb8c7d9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_01a11ae3-53e4-7998-b638-5e2a355345fe" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_01a11ae3-53e4-7174-90cb-6ff0cb8c7d9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_01a11ae4-0fff-73cf-8297-d24bc0cf32af" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_01a11ae3-53e4-7174-90cb-6ff0cb8c7d9b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_UnitedToteCompanyMember_01a11ae4-0fff-73cf-8297-d24bc0cf32af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_019ffc56-4be7-76e3-a0dc-8a6f2501a81a" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7065-ae46-184c805ad0e7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPercentageSold_019ffc56-4be7-76e3-a0dc-8a6f2501a81a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_019ffc56-4be7-7626-90b9-0b8543c3eb19" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7065-ae46-184c805ad0e7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AssetAcquisitionVotingEquityInterestAcquiredPercentage_019ffc56-4be7-7626-90b9-0b8543c3eb19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7065-ae46-184c805ad0e7" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019ffc56-4be7-71aa-bfdd-ad0950db25a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019ffc56-4be7-71aa-bfdd-ad0950db25a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4be7-7927-ad3f-7df79011144d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4be7-7927-ad3f-7df79011144d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment_019ffc56-4be7-7673-9ca6-00fa906f288f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment_019ffc56-4be7-7673-9ca6-00fa906f288f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationsOfTemporaryToPermanentEquity_01a0d481-efe3-7019-839a-09a5f7784939" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationsOfTemporaryToPermanentEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationsOfTemporaryToPermanentEquity_01a0d481-efe3-7019-839a-09a5f7784939" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TemporaryEquityMinorityHolderContributions_01a0d482-4f13-75c1-90d1-e3b20026b20e" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TemporaryEquityMinorityHolderContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_chdn_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestRollforwardRollForward_019ffc56-4be7-778a-9e5c-8a6d2cc0d2e5" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TemporaryEquityMinorityHolderContributions_01a0d482-4f13-75c1-90d1-e3b20026b20e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019ffc56-4be7-72da-be0c-158a1b3eb0a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7d71-a2c9-77fada28ecbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-7508-a305-9429108ad541" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7d71-a2c9-77fada28ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-7508-a305-9429108ad541" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7264-95cb-3b5f17db1cc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-7508-a305-9429108ad541" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7264-95cb-3b5f17db1cc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7264-95cb-3b5f17db1cc5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7264-95cb-3b5f17db1cc5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7264-95cb-3b5f17db1cc5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7cf1-a98f-d336ed7fef53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7264-95cb-3b5f17db1cc5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7cf1-a98f-d336ed7fef53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7190-957a-d06592bbfc0c" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_HighPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7cf1-a98f-d336ed7fef53" xlink:to="loc_chdn_HighPlainesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7190-957a-d06592bbfc0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-b7c6-3b6b3af540c6" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7cf1-a98f-d336ed7fef53" xlink:to="loc_chdn_CasinoInvestorsMember_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-b7c6-3b6b3af540c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_019ffc56-4be7-7361-8829-7c16b48d0c6d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7cf1-a98f-d336ed7fef53" xlink:to="loc_chdn_DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Member_019ffc56-4be7-7361-8829-7c16b48d0c6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74ac-9057-1b9d49881b12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-7508-a305-9429108ad541" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74ac-9057-1b9d49881b12" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-74ac-9057-1b9d49881b12_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74ac-9057-1b9d49881b12" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-74ac-9057-1b9d49881b12_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-79e5-9006-dea460053c82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74ac-9057-1b9d49881b12" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-79e5-9006-dea460053c82" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7359-9b1c-bd56a6750dea" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-79e5-9006-dea460053c82" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7359-9b1c-bd56a6750dea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_019ffc56-4be7-752a-9d74-72ad6a70ead4" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-79e5-9006-dea460053c82" xlink:to="loc_chdn_MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember_019ffc56-4be7-752a-9d74-72ad6a70ead4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019ffc56-4be7-7e48-b97b-6d067a759a6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7d71-a2c9-77fada28ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019ffc56-4be7-7e48-b97b-6d067a759a6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_019ffc56-4be7-7400-8af4-e72987546f22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7d71-a2c9-77fada28ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_019ffc56-4be7-7400-8af4-e72987546f22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019ffc56-4be7-7c2e-b8f2-b3cd7a7a7db5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7d71-a2c9-77fada28ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019ffc56-4be7-7c2e-b8f2-b3cd7a7a7db5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_019ffc56-4be7-74ff-97a3-5964207f3c4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7d71-a2c9-77fada28ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_019ffc56-4be7-74ff-97a3-5964207f3c4f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-758a-a5a3-5be7d80dfd51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-758a-a5a3-5be7d80dfd51" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7456-b7e0-b41f31741b9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-758a-a5a3-5be7d80dfd51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7456-b7e0-b41f31741b9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7456-b7e0-b41f31741b9d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7456-b7e0-b41f31741b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7456-b7e0-b41f31741b9d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c00-b504-8761e228defd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7456-b7e0-b41f31741b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c00-b504-8761e228defd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7541-8c4e-0891911ec90d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c00-b504-8761e228defd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7541-8c4e-0891911ec90d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4be7-7edf-b175-7da00c107f30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4be7-7edf-b175-7da00c107f30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffc56-4be7-70d3-874f-2d6cf16cb73c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffc56-4be7-70d3-874f-2d6cf16cb73c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7440-9da7-322bf523b87a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7440-9da7-322bf523b87a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4be7-79b3-b043-98ba2efda684" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4be7-79b3-b043-98ba2efda684" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019ffc56-4be7-78aa-a641-a97283e11e04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019ffc56-4be7-78aa-a641-a97283e11e04" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4be7-7524-b6a7-f573cbd97114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7b8b-a2e0-9bc26cea4ca3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4be7-7524-b6a7-f573cbd97114" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/InvestmentsinandAdvancestoUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAffiliateBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-78f3-887a-0615efa92c65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-78db-8a28-3d5b68cf4c60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-78f3-887a-0615efa92c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-78db-8a28-3d5b68cf4c60" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-748b-aaf5-bd8754e55889" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTable_019ffc56-4be7-78db-8a28-3d5b68cf4c60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-748b-aaf5-bd8754e55889" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-748b-aaf5-bd8754e55889_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-748b-aaf5-bd8754e55889" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-748b-aaf5-bd8754e55889_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-720b-8b00-4d0632077efe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-748b-aaf5-bd8754e55889" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-720b-8b00-4d0632077efe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_019ffc56-4be7-77d8-8879-53ea668b32ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-720b-8b00-4d0632077efe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_019ffc56-4be7-77d8-8879-53ea668b32ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-70ba-b83b-0fe6b6086c4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-78f3-887a-0615efa92c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-70ba-b83b-0fe6b6086c4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_019ffc56-4be7-7249-8212-3f916433e41b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-70ba-b83b-0fe6b6086c4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_019ffc56-4be7-7249-8212-3f916433e41b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019ffc56-4be7-7f9a-ba73-f149d08b5d04" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-70ba-b83b-0fe6b6086c4f" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019ffc56-4be7-7f9a-ba73-f149d08b5d04" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_019ffc56-4be7-7d3b-8d59-24bcca318ec1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-70ba-b83b-0fe6b6086c4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_019ffc56-4be7-7d3b-8d59-24bcca318ec1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019ffc56-4be7-717b-8346-56a862194229" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-70ba-b83b-0fe6b6086c4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019ffc56-4be7-717b-8346-56a862194229" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-9786-b0935b856a68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-78f3-887a-0615efa92c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-9786-b0935b856a68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_019ffc56-4be7-7546-b4b0-8c664898556d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-9786-b0935b856a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_019ffc56-4be7-7546-b4b0-8c664898556d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019ffc56-4be7-79dc-9faf-f60478cee115" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-9786-b0935b856a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019ffc56-4be7-79dc-9faf-f60478cee115" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019ffc56-4be7-73b0-9714-beb5e5bb9ab3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-9786-b0935b856a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019ffc56-4be7-73b0-9714-beb5e5bb9ab3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019ffc56-4be7-77ef-899f-0a99c14a06cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019ffc56-4be7-77b4-9786-b0935b856a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019ffc56-4be7-77ef-899f-0a99c14a06cb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7ff9-b97c-037d0aad2062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7ff9-b97c-037d0aad2062" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7472-a7e7-5eec85ba30cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7472-a7e7-5eec85ba30cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7472-a7e7-5eec85ba30cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7472-a7e7-5eec85ba30cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7472-a7e7-5eec85ba30cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-742d-b30c-5d6b37a11b85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7472-a7e7-5eec85ba30cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-742d-b30c-5d6b37a11b85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7a37-84ff-926362095ced" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-742d-b30c-5d6b37a11b85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7a37-84ff-926362095ced" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7c73-bfd3-dcff9c4d91d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7a37-84ff-926362095ced" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7c73-bfd3-dcff9c4d91d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7f22-a9bd-b7ca010a6103" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7a37-84ff-926362095ced" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019ffc56-4be7-7f22-a9bd-b7ca010a6103" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7234-9053-6809bc6ec618" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7234-9053-6809bc6ec618" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7234-9053-6809bc6ec618_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7234-9053-6809bc6ec618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7234-9053-6809bc6ec618_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-791b-b9f0-f2d56c41ea12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7234-9053-6809bc6ec618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-791b-b9f0-f2d56c41ea12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffc56-4be7-7fc6-b173-f12171cab3a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-791b-b9f0-f2d56c41ea12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffc56-4be7-7fc6-b173-f12171cab3a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffc56-4be7-72a3-99b1-20262e1231af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffc56-4be7-791b-b9f0-f2d56c41ea12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffc56-4be7-72a3-99b1-20262e1231af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7e32-83d5-579168acc046" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7e32-83d5-579168acc046" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7e32-83d5-579168acc046_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7e32-83d5-579168acc046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7e32-83d5-579168acc046_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7e32-83d5-579168acc046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_A2031RevolverMember_019ffc56-4be7-7d4c-bc48-1bee35395a17" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_A2031RevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_A2031RevolverMember_019ffc56-4be7-7d4c-bc48-1bee35395a17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member_01a13c3a-187f-724c-9e55-2e9bc906663b" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanADue2031Member_01a13c3a-187f-724c-9e55-2e9bc906663b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member_01a13c39-89e5-78cd-9215-55113b109e9e" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanBDue2033Member_01a13c39-89e5-78cd-9215-55113b109e9e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_019ffc56-4be7-799f-afca-8a85b039c444" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_TermLoanB1Due2028Member_019ffc56-4be7-799f-afca-8a85b039c444" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_019ffc56-4be7-76f5-b8c1-cebba558a829" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2027Member_019ffc56-4be7-76f5-b8c1-cebba558a829" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_019ffc56-4be7-755e-b2e8-c7334004810a" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2028Member_019ffc56-4be7-755e-b2e8-c7334004810a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_019ffc56-4be7-7d81-ba28-bc5c699adba9" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2030Member_019ffc56-4be7-7d81-ba28-bc5c699adba9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_019ffc56-4be7-777d-a15e-4436b4e1f91e" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7182-b1dc-3ff6c90bd01b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_SeniorNotesDue2031Member_019ffc56-4be7-777d-a15e-4436b4e1f91e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-77c8-83fa-4147aeec4527" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-77c8-83fa-4147aeec4527" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-77c8-83fa-4147aeec4527_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-77c8-83fa-4147aeec4527" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-77c8-83fa-4147aeec4527_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7a41-a19c-3692c7485b24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffc56-4be7-77c8-83fa-4147aeec4527" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7a41-a19c-3692c7485b24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a13c3b-d2d0-7c95-99fe-052c970580b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7a41-a19c-3692c7485b24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a13c3b-d2d0-7c95-99fe-052c970580b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7281-9f4d-4c147743a864" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7a41-a19c-3692c7485b24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffc56-4be7-7281-9f4d-4c147743a864" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7944-a71d-b014429a34ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffc56-4be7-79d2-97ac-7964e578bf56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7944-a71d-b014429a34ce" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7944-a71d-b014429a34ce_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7944-a71d-b014429a34ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7944-a71d-b014429a34ce_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7d0e-9c6a-59f680a84de7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7944-a71d-b014429a34ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7d0e-9c6a-59f680a84de7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019ffc56-4be7-76ea-a3e8-fe036cb6638d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7d0e-9c6a-59f680a84de7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019ffc56-4be7-76ea-a3e8-fe036cb6638d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019ffc56-4be7-742d-a56d-342fc3d8e675" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7d0e-9c6a-59f680a84de7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019ffc56-4be7-742d-a56d-342fc3d8e675" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019ffc56-4be7-7aad-955c-6dc31064fa6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7d0e-9c6a-59f680a84de7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019ffc56-4be7-7aad-955c-6dc31064fa6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019ffc56-4be7-754f-8a67-3d71621ce369" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7ff9-b97c-037d0aad2062" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019ffc56-4be7-754f-8a67-3d71621ce369" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019ffc56-4be7-770f-b139-c56f46290048" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7ff9-b97c-037d0aad2062" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019ffc56-4be7-770f-b139-c56f46290048" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationNetRevenueFromExternalCustomersandIntercompanyRevenueFromEachOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-74d8-ac25-ec29b21ed988" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-78bc-bb39-19a9a6f9d0f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-74d8-ac25-ec29b21ed988" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-78bc-bb39-19a9a6f9d0f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7362-a57b-1159e176f040" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-78bc-bb39-19a9a6f9d0f7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7362-a57b-1159e176f040" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7362-a57b-1159e176f040_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7362-a57b-1159e176f040" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7362-a57b-1159e176f040_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7298-9c1f-4bfa5dadf11a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7362-a57b-1159e176f040" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7298-9c1f-4bfa5dadf11a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-760b-8c28-e4769e30c112" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7298-9c1f-4bfa5dadf11a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-760b-8c28-e4769e30c112" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-760a-8ee4-840271c9b006" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7298-9c1f-4bfa5dadf11a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-760a-8ee4-840271c9b006" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4be7-798c-b244-640f23e09526" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-78bc-bb39-19a9a6f9d0f7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4be7-798c-b244-640f23e09526" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4be7-798c-b244-640f23e09526_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4be7-798c-b244-640f23e09526" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4be7-798c-b244-640f23e09526_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4be7-798d-86c6-aa259c289336" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019ffc56-4be7-798c-b244-640f23e09526" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4be7-798d-86c6-aa259c289336" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_019ffc56-4be7-775e-9864-09bcc2d5d001" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_ExternalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019ffc56-4be7-798d-86c6-aa259c289336" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ExternalCustomerMember_019ffc56-4be7-775e-9864-09bcc2d5d001" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7c5c-a0d5-40f1e82c4509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-78bc-bb39-19a9a6f9d0f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7c5c-a0d5-40f1e82c4509" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c5c-a0d5-40f1e82c4509_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7c5c-a0d5-40f1e82c4509" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c5c-a0d5-40f1e82c4509_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-73ff-9866-78ea8b5fc7a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7c5c-a0d5-40f1e82c4509" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-73ff-9866-78ea8b5fc7a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-7006-9f6a-e1df30d5e86f" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-73ff-9866-78ea8b5fc7a1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-7006-9f6a-e1df30d5e86f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7eca-888d-705eafcd4b39" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-73ff-9866-78ea8b5fc7a1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7eca-888d-705eafcd4b39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7dc5-a720-2c163de0ef34" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-73ff-9866-78ea8b5fc7a1" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7dc5-a720-2c163de0ef34" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4be7-7d41-a324-a41ae2d2421c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-74d8-ac25-ec29b21ed988" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffc56-4be7-7d41-a324-a41ae2d2421c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70fb-9d51-44460d67642a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70fb-9d51-44460d67642a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-754c-b56c-5411f43c00f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70fb-9d51-44460d67642a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-754c-b56c-5411f43c00f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-754c-b56c-5411f43c00f0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-754c-b56c-5411f43c00f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-754c-b56c-5411f43c00f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c4e-9bfa-2d6f260914ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-754c-b56c-5411f43c00f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c4e-9bfa-2d6f260914ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-739e-b63a-e99c0ac5543d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c4e-9bfa-2d6f260914ce" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-739e-b63a-e99c0ac5543d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-785e-9cc9-48577f72c4e8" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c4e-9bfa-2d6f260914ce" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-785e-9cc9-48577f72c4e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7bc7-90cb-ea1c11f2257f" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7c4e-9bfa-2d6f260914ce" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7bc7-90cb-ea1c11f2257f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74c9-b83a-2f9251eb5794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70fb-9d51-44460d67642a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74c9-b83a-2f9251eb5794" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-74c9-b83a-2f9251eb5794_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74c9-b83a-2f9251eb5794" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-74c9-b83a-2f9251eb5794_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-704b-9df5-84e4db43f5ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-74c9-b83a-2f9251eb5794" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-704b-9df5-84e4db43f5ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7fb8-91e5-d054e593a413" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-704b-9df5-84e4db43f5ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7fb8-91e5-d054e593a413" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019ffc56-4be7-7604-a8b0-0e7a2c55af2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019ffc56-4be7-7604-a8b0-0e7a2c55af2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_PariMutuelTaxesAndPurses_019ffc56-4be7-735a-8e1b-4e239dd2f8dc" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_PariMutuelTaxesAndPurses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_PariMutuelTaxesAndPurses_019ffc56-4be7-735a-8e1b-4e239dd2f8dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingTaxes_019ffc56-4be7-7bdb-b37f-bff30c6e4da8" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingTaxes_019ffc56-4be7-7bdb-b37f-bff30c6e4da8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_019ffc56-4be7-72be-a36a-2575d15c796b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_019ffc56-4be7-72be-a36a-2575d15c796b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_019ffc56-4be7-7fe0-8c3e-53ecd94acdf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_019ffc56-4be7-7fe0-8c3e-53ecd94acdf2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_019ffc56-4be7-74e1-9386-3a5f8841a085" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_ContentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_ContentExpense_019ffc56-4be7-74e1-9386-3a5f8841a085" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_019ffc56-4be7-753b-918c-8e41501c3e37" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEBITDASellingGeneralAdministrativeExpenses_019ffc56-4be7-753b-918c-8e41501c3e37" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations_019ffc56-4be7-7870-9df2-c926185da4db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations_019ffc56-4be7-7870-9df2-c926185da4db" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquipmentAndTechnologyExpense_019ffc56-4be7-79be-8a11-a197e0ba1826" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_EquipmentAndTechnologyExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquipmentAndTechnologyExpense_019ffc56-4be7-79be-8a11-a197e0ba1826" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_FoodAndBeverageExpense_019ffc56-4be7-721e-84f0-a3f855cc1995" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_FoodAndBeverageExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_FoodAndBeverageExpense_019ffc56-4be7-721e-84f0-a3f855cc1995" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019ffc56-4be7-7657-a3f2-54744ef065de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019ffc56-4be7-7657-a3f2-54744ef065de" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019ffc56-4be7-7a1c-a414-462a8da162b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019ffc56-4be7-7a1c-a414-462a8da162b2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_019ffc56-4be7-776a-8e11-73ee3ccafaaa" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherincomeexpenseAdjustedEBITDA_019ffc56-4be7-776a-8e11-73ee3ccafaaa" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7549-a2be-fecc9ba05e35" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-731d-98cb-08d4a6c4d617" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7549-a2be-fecc9ba05e35" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofComprehensiveIncometoAdjustedEBITDAbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70e8-bcd0-8d598abacd17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70e8-bcd0-8d598abacd17" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-724c-b038-e645f3b3ea67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70e8-bcd0-8d598abacd17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-724c-b038-e645f3b3ea67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-724c-b038-e645f3b3ea67_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-724c-b038-e645f3b3ea67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-724c-b038-e645f3b3ea67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7129-b689-02c4bdbef10b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-724c-b038-e645f3b3ea67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7129-b689-02c4bdbef10b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_019ffc56-4be7-74d0-82d9-554ecb81f826" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7129-b689-02c4bdbef10b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_RiversDesPlainesMember_019ffc56-4be7-74d0-82d9-554ecb81f826" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-7932-aa29-6949a71343b2" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7129-b689-02c4bdbef10b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-7932-aa29-6949a71343b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7e1a-9c00-bd06052d3ff2" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7129-b689-02c4bdbef10b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7e1a-9c00-bd06052d3ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7c14-a824-c30d0c24ac3f" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7129-b689-02c4bdbef10b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7c14-a824-c30d0c24ac3f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-75f7-9580-843281912d28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-70e8-bcd0-8d598abacd17" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-75f7-9580-843281912d28" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-75f7-9580-843281912d28_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-75f7-9580-843281912d28" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-75f7-9580-843281912d28_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7e6c-8d37-57f572bf5037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-75f7-9580-843281912d28" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7e6c-8d37-57f572bf5037" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-778b-98c4-8c27cc699c69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7e6c-8d37-57f572bf5037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-778b-98c4-8c27cc699c69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7315-8dbc-08f840c67622" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7e6c-8d37-57f572bf5037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7315-8dbc-08f840c67622" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4be7-7657-bce5-a3bf4366f180" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffc56-4be7-7657-bce5-a3bf4366f180" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4be7-7ae9-a81a-b5d982749a79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019ffc56-4be7-7ae9-a81a-b5d982749a79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019ffc56-4be7-795f-9178-37cbfaca38ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019ffc56-4be7-795f-9178-37cbfaca38ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7b07-b11f-70e4f2cfbafe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7b07-b11f-70e4f2cfbafe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_019ffc56-4be7-7f00-a342-a800b1762a6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_019ffc56-4be7-7f00-a342-a800b1762a6a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019ffc56-4be7-75ed-b721-3077c3e895b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019ffc56-4be7-75ed-b721-3077c3e895b4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019ffc56-4be7-78f8-977d-88580fa4b951" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019ffc56-4be7-78f8-977d-88580fa4b951" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_019ffc56-4be7-761e-bf35-e523790338a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_019ffc56-4be7-761e-bf35-e523790338a8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_019ffc56-4be7-7a45-bead-7fde442213b5" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_OtherExpensesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherExpensesNet_019ffc56-4be7-7a45-bead-7fde442213b5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019ffc56-4be7-7a54-9536-717d9e22fcee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019ffc56-4be7-7a54-9536-717d9e22fcee" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_019ffc56-4be7-72f8-b531-c5228384ac0d" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AcquisitionRelatedContingentConsiderationCosts_019ffc56-4be7-72f8-b531-c5228384ac0d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_019ffc56-4be7-7921-a520-dede8974c130" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_chdn_EquityInvestmentsinterestdepreciationandamortizationexpense_019ffc56-4be7-7921-a520-dede8974c130" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_OtherChargesIncomeAndRecoveriesNet_019ffc56-4be7-7abc-a3b4-682069d7edea" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_OtherChargesIncomeAndRecoveriesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_chdn_OtherChargesIncomeAndRecoveriesNet_019ffc56-4be7-7abc-a3b4-682069d7edea" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustmentsToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7ab7-929b-6de7f1b44633" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AdjustmentsToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustmentsToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7ab7-929b-6de7f1b44633" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7da4-baad-d46eff62a839" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-7e49-819b-3253b3959d05" xlink:to="loc_chdn_AdjustedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationandAmortization_019ffc56-4be7-7da4-baad-d46eff62a839" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofTotalAssetsandCapitalExpendituresbyOperatingSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-761e-aa17-a8e33289b507" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-7442-9704-d6faf375a72e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-761e-aa17-a8e33289b507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-7442-9704-d6faf375a72e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-736d-b0f9-29ff854cf3ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-7442-9704-d6faf375a72e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-736d-b0f9-29ff854cf3ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-736d-b0f9-29ff854cf3ca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-736d-b0f9-29ff854cf3ca" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-736d-b0f9-29ff854cf3ca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-719b-acc0-f1625331b4f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-736d-b0f9-29ff854cf3ca" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-719b-acc0-f1625331b4f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7e9b-80db-191f2fa922d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-719b-acc0-f1625331b4f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7e9b-80db-191f2fa922d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7418-b37f-f59ba6f07ec9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffc56-4be7-719b-acc0-f1625331b4f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7418-b37f-f59ba6f07ec9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7a38-aaf2-6ecad147c58a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffc56-4be7-7442-9704-d6faf375a72e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7a38-aaf2-6ecad147c58a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7a38-aaf2-6ecad147c58a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7a38-aaf2-6ecad147c58a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7a38-aaf2-6ecad147c58a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b6c-9798-4d635a9f845b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffc56-4be7-7a38-aaf2-6ecad147c58a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b6c-9798-4d635a9f845b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-7f47-8061-e14b5d035c51" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b6c-9798-4d635a9f845b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_LiveAndHistoricalRacingMember_019ffc56-4be7-7f47-8061-e14b5d035c51" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7c57-9a55-a5cd0379b2d9" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b6c-9798-4d635a9f845b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_WageringServicesAndSolutionsMember_019ffc56-4be7-7c57-9a55-a5cd0379b2d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7707-9610-2fbb3c1afa89" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_GamingSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffc56-4be7-7b6c-9798-4d635a9f845b" xlink:to="loc_chdn_GamingSegmentMember_019ffc56-4be7-7707-9610-2fbb3c1afa89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019ffc56-4be7-7160-ab77-b4499c8608c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-761e-aa17-a8e33289b507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019ffc56-4be7-7160-ab77-b4499c8608c2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentExpenditureAdditionToLongLivedAssets_019ffc56-4be7-7e40-87fe-fdd4ba0ac861" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentExpenditureAdditionToLongLivedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffc56-4be7-761e-aa17-a8e33289b507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentExpenditureAdditionToLongLivedAssets_019ffc56-4be7-7e40-87fe-fdd4ba0ac861" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.churchilldowns.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a15855-43c2-718c-abc2-c90c344f61ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a15855-43c2-765b-af08-c467535f13a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a15855-43c2-718c-abc2-c90c344f61ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a15855-43c2-765b-af08-c467535f13a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a15855-43c2-711f-9e54-9366bef89b63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a15855-43c2-765b-af08-c467535f13a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a15855-43c2-711f-9e54-9366bef89b63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a15855-43c2-711f-9e54-9366bef89b63_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a15855-43c2-711f-9e54-9366bef89b63" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a15855-43c2-711f-9e54-9366bef89b63_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a15855-43c2-772b-a59c-18e76a7d482a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a15855-43c2-711f-9e54-9366bef89b63" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a15855-43c2-772b-a59c-18e76a7d482a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_October2026StockRepurchaseProgramMember_01a15855-43c2-7fe8-a8fb-b1140b370cc9" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_October2026StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a15855-43c2-772b-a59c-18e76a7d482a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_October2026StockRepurchaseProgramMember_01a15855-43c2-7fe8-a8fb-b1140b370cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_01a15855-43c2-7636-8141-1c350281f17c" xlink:href="chdn-20260930.xsd#chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a15855-43c2-772b-a59c-18e76a7d482a" xlink:to="loc_chdn_July2025StockRepurchaseProgramMember_01a15855-43c2-7636-8141-1c350281f17c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a15855-43c2-7b70-a1a2-989710c9fddc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a15855-43c2-765b-af08-c467535f13a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a15855-43c2-7b70-a1a2-989710c9fddc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a15855-43c2-7b70-a1a2-989710c9fddc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a15855-43c2-7b70-a1a2-989710c9fddc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a15855-43c2-7b70-a1a2-989710c9fddc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a15855-43c2-79f9-8021-4a6d1a3efea8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a15855-43c2-7b70-a1a2-989710c9fddc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a15855-43c2-79f9-8021-4a6d1a3efea8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a15855-43c2-764a-b8ce-3f823282f473" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a15855-43c2-79f9-8021-4a6d1a3efea8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a15855-43c2-764a-b8ce-3f823282f473" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a15855-43c2-7e78-9047-4248a14319b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a15855-43c2-718c-abc2-c90c344f61ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a15855-43c2-7e78-9047-4248a14319b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_01a15855-43c2-741e-8ccc-f2de4996d020" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a15855-43c2-718c-abc2-c90c344f61ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_01a15855-43c2-741e-8ccc-f2de4996d020" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
