Episode 41. John Asher – Former-Vice President of Racing Communications, Churchill Downs (1999-2018)
John Asher loves the sport of horse racing and is driven to make everything about Churchill Downs the best in the world.
John has worked in the thoroughbred racing industry as a journalist and a publicist for more than 20 years. He joined Churchill Downs in January 1997 and has served in his current position since March 1999. John oversees all communications and public relations efforts at Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby.
As a radio journalist at WHAS-AM and WAVE-AM in Louisville, John earned five Eclipse Awards for Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing. Other awards include a National Headliner Award, a Scripps-Howard Award, and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio and Television News Directors Association, and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. In addition, the Associated Press honored John as the Best Reporter in Kentucky Large-Market Radio seven times.
John is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
John passed away on August 27th, 2018. In memorandum: https://www.churchilldowns.com/racing-wagering/news/obituary-for-john-stephen-asher