Elliston Named to New Keeneland VP of Racing and Sales Position

Bob Elliston will join Keeneland Association in the newly formed position of Vice President of Racing and Sales effective Aug. 29, it was announced Tuesday. Elliston has served as Executive Vice President and COO of Breeders' Cup Ltd. since 2012.

Keeneland will consolidate and streamline its racing and sales businesses under Elliston, in an effort to “align resources, foster relationships with horsemen and continuously improve the Keeneland experience from the sales ring to the winner's circle,” it said in a release. Elliston will oversee departments that include Broadcast Services, Communications, Marketing and Sponsorship.

“As we celebrate our 80th year, it is fitting that we add someone of Bob's caliber to the Keeneland family,” said Keeneland President/CEO Bill Thomason. “His extensive experience in the industry will be a tremendous asset as we continue to fulfill our mission of providing racing at the highest level while building upon our momentum as the world's largest and most successful Thoroughbred auction company.”

Elliston was President and CEO of Turfway Park for 13 years before joining the Breeders' Cup. He serves on the Board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and was named the Kentucky HPBA's Man of the Year in 2002 and received the Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Presidential Award for distinguished service

in 2003. He was also previously Executive Chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and Board Treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP). Elliston, who resides in Lexington with his wife Sharon and their two daughters Abby and Haley, recently joined the boards of the Lexington Center Corporation and LexArts. He was also Chairman of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce during his time at Turfway, and was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Leadership Hall of Fame in 2011.

“I have worked for 17 years in the Thoroughbred horse industry, and the last four years at the Breeders' Cup were an extraordinary privilege,” offered Elliston. “None of it would have been possible, however, if not for the formative experiences I had on the grounds of Keeneland Race Course, first attending the races in college, then walking the fields where great race mares such as Princess Rooney and Gana Facil were producing beautiful foals. I am humbled and excited to be part of this special place and work alongside such a tremendous team of professionals.”

Elliston was instrumental in the planning and execution of last year's Breeders' Cup World Championships in Lexington.

“On behalf of his colleagues at the Breeders' Cup, I want to thank Bob for his many contributions over the last four years and congratulate him on this exciting opportunity,” remarked Craig Fravel, President & CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “It became even clearer last fall how important both the Breeders' Cup and Keeneland are to Thoroughbred racing and how we share the same values and goals for our game. I look forward to working with Bob as he returns to his roots at Keeneland and wish him and our other friends at Keeneland the very best.”