Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky is known throughout the horse industry, even in the stock horse industry, for two things: their racing and their sales. This racing and sales complex has seen millions of Thoroughbreds come through its gates rather to race or to be the next up and coming star in the racing industry to be sold for millions of dollars.
Keeneland was founded in 1953 as a nonprofit racing and auction facility on 147 acres of farmland. The land had been owned by Jack Keene. The organization used the proceeds from races and its auctions to further the Thoroughbred industry and contribute to the surrounding community.
Keeneland Race Course operates live race meets April through October and has since 1936. They added a turf course to the facility in 1985. The spring meets at Keeneland are popular for their ability to prepare young horses for the big races, such as the Kentucky Derby. The most notable prep race is the Blue Grass Stakes. The fall meet also features many prep races for the Breeders' Cup.
Many horseracing fans were able to get a glimpse of the track in the 2003 movie Seabiscuit. Several scenes were shot at the course because the course has changed little in appearance over the past several decades. The track takes pride in keeping many of the old racing traditions; in fact they didn't even broadcast over a public-address system until 1997. However, as of late, the track has seen many new technological renovations including the replacement of the 1 1/16 mile dirt track with a Polytrack synthetic surface.
On the other side of Keeneland is the sales operation. There are four annual sales that take place at Keeneland and these sales attract buyers from all over the world. The first sale takes place in January and is for horses of all ages. The sale also features breeding "seasons" where the rights to breed one mare to a stallion in a given year are sold at auction. In April, two year olds in training are sold. This was added in 1993 as many owners wanted to buy horses that were already started in their training.
In July, selected yearling sales are head. This sale has been held since 1943 and is the most prestigious sale in the world. Eleven Kentucky Derby winners have passed through the sale ring. These yearlings that are sold here are selected by pedigree and have to pass a physical conformation test. However, this sale has been canceled annually since 2003.
The next popular sale is the September Yearling Sale. This is the world's largest sale of yearlings. These yearlings do not have to meet any pedigree or conformation requirements. This sale has produced a Kentucky Derby winner, a US Horse of the Year winner and an Epsom Derby winner.
The final sale of the year is the November Breeding Stock Sale. This sale features all horses capable of breeding, except yearlings. Stallion shares and breeding rights are also sold at this sale and the sale has become the world's largest Thoroughbred sale.
Simon M Skinner is an online marketer for BetAmerica.com. they are the leading online racing and games destination in the United States offering racing, and unique and exciting contests and competitions for its customers. With industry leading software and wagering on over 80 Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness tracks from across North America, BetAmerica.com is licensed and regulated by the North Dakota Racing Commission.
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