Keeneland’s founders set the course for what was to become one of Thoroughbred racing’s richest traditions. Their vision was to create two festival-like race meetings each year in the heart of Thoroughbred country — Kentucky’s Bluegrass region.
These dreams are realized today, with Keeneland running three-week race meetings in April and October. With its ivy-covered walls, tree-lined paddock and picturesque grounds, Keeneland preserves the tradition, ambiance and vision established by its founders: to showcase all that is noble, fine and enjoyable about Thoroughbred racing.
For 75 years, Keeneland has been to the Thoroughbred industry what Augusta is to golf or Hollywood is to the movies. It is where traditions are treasured, innovations are made and where expertise resides. It is the pulse point for a significant global business.
Located in the heart of Central Kentucky, Keeneland is a rare combination of high-stakes commerce, genteel sporting tradition and remarkable innovations. As the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction company, Keeneland’s horse sales totaled almost $400 million in 2010. Our racing program offers some of the richest purses —- and therefore the most competitive racing —- of any track on the continent. Many of the sport’s best stories have Keeneland connections.
Further enhancing Keeneland’s reputation as a leader in the Thoroughbred industry is our strict adherence to the traditions of the sport. As one of our founders, Hal Price Headley, said in 1937, “We want a place where those who love horses can come and picnic with us and thrill to the sport of the Bluegrass.” The words ring as true today as they did then. With the installation of a Polytrack racing surface on the main track in 2006, Keeneland continues its mission of being one of the safest, most modern racetracks in the world.
