Alabama: Wind Creek Hospitality to acquire Birmingham Racecourse, shares expansion plans

Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has announced an agreement to acquire the Birmingham Racecourse in Alabama. The sale is expected to be finalized by early 2025.

Wind Creek will transform the Birmingham Racecourse into "a premier entertainment destination in the Southeast" and will continue to offer parimutuel and historical horse racing games currently in operation at the facility, the tribe said, expanding the investments made in recent years at the property.

The tribe will be working closely with local elected and racing officials on steps moving forward as the sale is finalized and expansion plans are developed, Wind Creek announced.

“We are excited to bring the Birmingham Racecourse into the Wind Creek family,” said Jay Dorris, President and CEO of Wind Creek Hospitality. “The McGregor family built and has operated the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino for decades. Over those years, it became clear to us that we share many of the same goals – providing great entertainment, attracting tourism, and creating economic growth in Alabama. We are really looking forward to welcoming their employees and to moving forward together.”

Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, said the tribe has already been heavily involved in the Birmingham area, supporting organizations like the Birmingham Promise, Birmingham Zoo, and many others. She said Wind Creek will make this facility a major economic force for the area by creating more jobs, taxes, and support for the local community.

“Birmingham is one of the most vibrant cities in America, and we feel very fortunate that this acquisition will allow us to increase the investment and deepen the relationships that we already have in Birmingham,” said Bryan.

“When it comes to attracting tourism, this is an incredibly important area of the state. We are committed to building on the success of both the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino and our Wind Creek brand by ensuring that this property will keep tourist dollars here at home and provide jobs that support Alabama families.

"As the leader of our tribe, I am deeply grateful to the expertise and leadership of Arthur Mothershed, a member of our tribal council and Wind Creek’s VP of Business Development, for representing the interests of our tribe and our gaming business in this important acquisition and new venture.”