Keeneland

To our Industry, Fans and Central Kentucky Community, The decision to cancel this year's Spring Meet and April Sale due to the alarming spread of COVID-19 has been agonizing for the Keeneland family. We understand the devastating impact this has on the Thoroughbred industry, our Central Kentucky community who cherishes this tradition, and our employees who pour their hearts into this organization. We share the disappointment and frustration of our fans and horsemen--a silent April at Keeneland still has not sunk in. However, we knew this decision was the only...

In every crisis, it's possible to find examples of kindness and generosity, of people reaching out to help total strangers out of the goodness of their heart. To focus attention on the many people in the industry who have stepped forward to help those who have been impacted by the coronavirus, the TDN has launched a series that we hope will put a smile on your face during these difficult times. We'll do our best to bring you a little bit of good news every day. When it was announced...

NTRA President Alex Waldrop was the first speaker on the NTRA's teleconference Tuesday, during which he spoke at length about the current coronavirus pandemic, recommendations on dealing with it and different steps being taken by the racing industry. The following are some of the highlights of that talk: "So much of this pandemic is local in nature. Central Kentucky has its own special circumstances. Some tracks may be in an area with less community spread. We ask everyone to stay in touch with your state and local health department and...

Having already canceled its 2-year-olds in training sale and subsequently announcing that racing would be conducted with no fans in attendance, officials at Keeneland have canceled the Spring race meeting set for Apr. 2 through Apr. 24 due to safety and health concerns surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak. The decision was accelerated by guidance from the Center for Disease Control Mar. 15, which cautioned against holding large events including "conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other types of assemblies." The recommendation was that events attended by 50 or more...

Keeneland issued the following release Sunday afternoon: Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our horsemen, staff and visitors with regard to COVID-19, Keeneland has announced the following restrictions regarding access to its grounds and stable areas: Beginning Monday, Mar. 16, Keeneland will be closed to all non-essential guests and horsemen. Only essential employees, owners, trainers, veterinarians, blacksmiths and stable workers will be allowed entry. Screening checkpoints will be set up at Gates 1, 2, 3 and at the Rice Road barn entrance to monitor...

Keeneland has announced the cancellation of its upcoming April 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale scheduled for Apr. 7 out of "an abundance of caution to do our part in containing the spread of COVID-19," the organization announced Thursday afternoon. Keeneland also announced that its spring race meeting would open Apr. 2 without spectators, but with a limited number of credentials provided to those directly connected to horses running at the track. Keeneland will reevalute the situation to consider re-opening Apr. 15. Patrons who purchased tickets for...

Trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis, the two biggest names among the 27 people indicted Monday after an investigation into horse doping, are due back in court Mar. 23 for their arraignment. Both were arrested Monday in Miami and released on bail. As part of the bail agreement, the court imposed the requirement that Servis and Navarro not have any contact with racehorses without the presence of the third party owner of the premises where the horse is stabled. The indicted horsemen will be allowed to enter a guilty or...

The catalogue for the Keeneland April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, featuring 70 juveniles, is now available online at www.keeneland.com. The auction, which also includes a Horses of Racing Age sale, will be held Apr. 7. Supplemental entries are still being accepted. "The April sale returned to the Keeneland calendar last year to positive reviews from buyers and consignors, who like the timing of the auction," Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. "Scheduling the sale during the Spring Meet ensures a deep buying bench of owners, trainers,...

Tickets to the 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Nov. 6-7 are now on sale to the general public. The Breeders' Cup also announced that the 2020 event will incorporate several special elements and offerings, including expanded luxury seating spaces and an attendance cap of 45,000. To review seating options and purchase tickets online, fans can visit BreedersCup.com/Tickets now. "We eagerly anticipate returning to Lexington for the 37th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships," said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup. "In collaboration with our partners...

Keeneland and Churchill Downs will ban the race-day use of Lasix in all 2-year-old races under the International Medication Protocol authority granted in 810 KAR 8:050 of the Kentucky Administrative Regulations beginning with Keeneland's 2020 Spring Meet and following at Churchill Downs Racetrack's 2020 Spring Meet, according to a joint press release Thursday. Kentucky's Thoroughbred race tracks supported sweeping medication reforms, including the Lasix ban, adopted by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) in late 2019. The tracks also jointly announced major changes in racing and training policies to strengthen...

Dennis Albaugh didn't want to spend $1 million to acquire Thousands Words (Pioneerof the Nile) at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. Albaugh is among the wealthiest people in the sport, but even he has a comfort zone, and says he normally doesn't go beyond $400,000. But, if you want something special, you have to pay for it. And Albaugh and his team of advisors thought Thousand Words was the kind of can't-miss prospect every owner yearns to have. "Normally, we try to find horses in the $200,000 to $400,000 range,"...

Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc. and Keeneland Association representatives announced revised procedures to provide funding to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).  Beginning with the 2020 yearling sales, all sellers/owners will be charged 0.05% of the sales price (for example, $50 on a $100,000 sale) on each horse sold at public auction with the two companies. Previously, sellers have had the opportunity to "opt out" of the TAA contribution. The sales companies will each continue to contribute 0.05% of the sales price on each horse sold at their respective auctions. Buyers will continue...