Rare Photo Found of Muhammad Ali training at Churchill Downs

With the death of Muhammad Ali at 74, there has been an outpouring of support and memories for the champ, who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Known as Cassius Clay in his youth, Ali used to train by running over the track at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.  

A rare photo of Clay running over the Churchill Downs track was found by Steve Gunther, son of photographer Curt Gunther, who died in 1991. 

Curt Gunther was an established sports photographer, and he traveled to Louisville to cover the young boxer Clay who was on his way to the 1960 Olympics.  Gunther would go on to cover Ali for decades, covering photos of boxing and personal life.

See CNN.com for the full story of several rare photos: 

Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone read this statement about Ali prior to the races on June 4.

“Our Churchill Downs family joins our community, the nation and the world in mourning the passing of Muhammad Ali. The Louisville-born, three-time heavyweight boxing champion, American legend and humanitarian was no stranger to Churchill Downs. Early in his career, he jogged over our one-mile dirt track to build fitness, and he later visited our track to attend the Kentucky Derby. Our Churchill Downs family sends thoughts and prayers to the champion’s family and friends here in Louisville and around the world. In his honor, please observe a moment of silence for our hometown icon – the Greatest of All Time, Muhammad Ali.”