A Guide to Keeneland Racecourse

Keeneland Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing facility in Lexington, Kentucky. It is a part of Keeneland Association Inc., a Kentucky-based equine business that also comprises a horse auction division called Keeneland Sales, in addition to a horse racing facility.

The racecourse is home to various Group 1, 2, and 3 races and is one of the finest racecourses in the country in terms of racing fields, racing quality, and purse distribution. It was ranked the top track in North America in 2009 by the Horseplayers Association of North America.

Since 1986, it has been recognised as a historic national landmark and is cited in the official register as well. Here is a brief insight into the track’s history and its physical traits.

Keeneland Racecourse History

When the Kentucky Association Track closed in 1933, Lexington was left without a horse racing facility. A year later, concerned citizens gathered and searched for an appropriate site for horse racing and agreed on Keeneland farms as the appropriate site.

Keeneland Racecourse held its first race meeting in October 1936. The idea behind its establishment was to form a non-profit racing and auction entity. The farmland where it was established belonged to Jack Keene, son of James Robert Keene, a prosperous stockbroker, horse breeder, and owner.

The vision behind the racecourse was to create a model track that would help improve the sport quality and serve as a symbol of thoroughbred racing traditions in the area. The proceeds from the auctions and races have been used to help the thoroughbred industry flourish and for the betterment of the community, while the course has upheld racing traditions throughout the time. Until 1997, race calls were broadcasted on the public-addressing system. It was the last track in the region to discontinue the service.

Despite sticking to many traditions, the racecourse has changed over time. A winner’s circle was added to the site in anticipation of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 1984. A race was also created to honour her.

Keeneland Racecourse hosted the Breeders Cup for the first time in 2015. The event was a huge success despite reservations over the size of the venue and its suitability to host such a grand event. The racecourse again hosted the Breeders Cup in 2020.

In addition to racing events, Keeneland Racecourse has been the location for various movies. Many scenes from the famous movie Seabiscuit were filmed at the track in 2003. Other movies showcasing the racecourse include Dreamers in 2005 and Secretariat in 2010.

Keeneland Racecourse Facilities

Keeneland Racecourse is spread out over an area of 147 acres. The racecourse has a main dirt oval track which is 1,700 metres. There is another inner oval turf course around 1408 metres in circumference. The turf track employs two configurations through a temporary rail, which is 4.6m.

The inner turf course was installed in 1985. The Challenge Cup was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, and numerous turf races are now held on the track. The dirt course has also undergone various changes over the years. In 2006, its dirt surface was replaced with a Polytrack surface to facilitate racing during the fall season. However, in 2014, the track was again converted into a dirt track.

The facility features a Clubhouse, where admission is for members only. The club is a private members organisation and comprises members who are associated with the thoroughbred industry. Membership is exclusive, and new members are only added according to the previous members’ resignations.

In addition to the Clubhouse and grandstand facility, the venue also features a library and various halls and seating facilities like the Sales Pavilion, Keene Barn, Entertainment Room, and Keeneland Room, which can be used for weddings or corporate events, etc.

As mentioned earlier, Keeneland is also home to a thoroughbred auction facility, which is the largest in the world. The house conducts three sales yearly in January, September, and November. The horses sold at the facility have won various renowned races and tournaments, including Breeders Cup, Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and Epsom Derby, among others. The team travels around the world and invests in the international market. It has sold horses to various owners worldwide.

Keeneland Racecourse Season

Since 1936, Keeneland Racecourse has organised live racing events in April and October. The spring meet has a fifteen-day racing schedule and features some of the richest races in the region. The fall meet has a 17-day schedule and features various Grade 1 stake races.

Major Races At Keeneland Racecourse

Keeneland Racecourse is home to numerous graded stake races, including the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes, Turf Mile Stakes, Breeders Futurity Stakes, and the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, which is a prep race for the Kentucky Derby and has prize money of $1 million.

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