- Richard L. Duchossois
Richard L. Duchossois (born 1922) (pronounced DUTCH-ah-swah) is the founder and Chairman of Duchossois Industries, Inc., a family owned company with headquarters in Elmhurst,
Illinois . He is also a well known racehorse owner. The firm is known for its ownership stakes inArlington Park andChurchill Downs race tracks, as well as for railcar and defense manufacturing.Early life and family
Duchossois graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy and attended
Washington and Lee University before starting active military service duringWorld War II . He served in five European campaigns and attained the rank ofMajor before he was released from active service in 1946.His son, Craig J. Duchossois is Chief Executive Officer of Duchossois Industries and serves as Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the
United States Naval Academy .Career
Richard Duchossois joined Thrall Car Manufacturing Company after World War II and became CEO in 1952. In 1980, the firm purchased Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp., with Duchossois becoming its Chairman. At the same time, he retained the chairmanship of the parent company, but appointed his son as CEO.
In 1983, as Chairman of renamed Duchossois Industries (DII), he purchased Arlington Park Race Track. In 2000, Arlington Park merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated, where DII has several seats on the Board of Directors.
He serves as a director of TCMC, Inc., the Emirates World Series of Racing, and the Thoroughbred Racing Association.
His awards include the 1986 American Jockey Club's Gold Medal, the 1988 Special Sovereign Award from the Jockey Club of Canada, and Lord Derby Award from the Horserace Writers and Reporters Association of Great Britain, the Joe Palmer Award for Meritorious Service to Racing from the National Turf Writers Association, and selection to the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws by Washington and Lee.
ources
* [http://www.duch.com/whoweare/key_executives.html Duchossois Industries website]
* [http://people.forbes.com/profile/richard-l-duchossois/19362 Forbes profile]
* [http://articles.latimes.com/2000/aug/19/sports/sp-7229 LA Times, August 19, 2000]
* [http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=10783 NTRA Eclipse Award]ee also
*
Arlington Classic
*Beverly D. Stakes
*Eclipse Special Award
*Pucker Up Stakes
*Sussex Stakes
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