Keeneland Race Track in Kentucky
Keeneland, located across from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport in Kentucky, encompasses an area of 907 acres. In operation since 1936, Keeneland Racecourse hosts numerous live races in April and October every year. This lovely, somewhat rustic, track featured in the racing scenes of the movie “Seabiscuit” (2003). Keeneland is renowned not only for its impressive race track but also for the Keeneland Sales which take place 5 times a year. Keeneland Racecourse is truly a delight for horse racing enthusiasts.
Keeneland race track is an oval-shaped dirt track of 1 1/16 miles along with a turf oval of ½ furlong. A polytrack is set to be installed soon. Dirt races at Keeneland vary from 4 ½ furlongs up to over a mile. Two chutes are in place to allow for the many racing distances. The majority of races have a finish line right in front of the grandstand, adding to the exciting atmosphere. Keeneland’s turf course has been named Haggin Course after past president Louis Lee Haggin II. Keeneland race track has a very busy calendar with many stake races of different grades including Appalachian Stakes, Ben Ali Stakes, Central Bank Transylvania Stakes, Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup, Darley Alcibiades, Doubledogdare Stakes, Forerunner Stakes, Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, Lexus Raven Run, Palisade Stakes, Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes, Toyota Bluegrass Stakes and Warfield Stakes.
Keeneland boasts wonderful facilities including those for betting, food outlets, a clubhouse, facilities for the disabled and much more. Racegoers are permitted into the barn area where they can get a good look at the race horses.
Five times a year Keeneland Racecourse holds the famous Keeneland Sales. In January horses of all ages are auctioned as well as the rights to breed with a specific stallion. April is the two-year-olds in training auction. The Selected Yearling sale takes place in July and is considered by many as the greatest thoroughbred sale worldwide. September is the Yearling sale, the largest in the world. The Breeding Stock sale is in November where Stallion “shares” are auctioned.
