Lexington

This past year was a good one for the Breeders' Cup. Returning to Keeneland for the first time since the pandemic year of 2020, the event generated a global wagering total of $189.1 million, which set a record, 3.4% higher than the previous mark. The Breeders' Cup also produced big numbers when it came to the total economic impact for Keeneland, Lexington and the surrounding community. It was announced Friday that a survey conducted by University of Louisville Economics Professor Thomas E. Lambert, Ph.D., showed that the Breeders' Cup was...

The passing of Burt Bacharach last week evokes a couple of complementary tales that reflect instructively not only on the great man himself, but also on the different ways that different farms go about their business. Back in the early 1980s Bacharach was staying in downtown Lexington, having been driven down from a concert in Cincinnati the night before so that he could visit his mares and foals before flying on to his next show. Catherine Parke was still in her twenties, having barely established Valkyre Stud on a parcel...

Applications for the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, are now open for submission, the Retired Racehorse Project announced Tuesday. The application period closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 20. Accepted trainers will be announced no later than Feb. 15. Interested applicants can start the application process now by logging on to Retired Racehorse Project website. Entering its ninth year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, horses and trainers will compete for more than $110,000 in total prize money, plus the coveted...

The Cross Gate Gallery, which has been based at 509 East Main Street in Lexington since the 1990s, will be relocating just a few blocks away to 431 Old Vine with an official grand opening set for Feb. 1. The gallery, which is best known for its equine-focused art collection, annually hosts the Sporting Art Auction at Keeneland. "We have been in a wonderful building for over 25 years," said Cross Gate Gallery owner Greg Ladd. "But we have a lot of artwork to show and simply need a more...

As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, Aidan Butler and his beloved off-track Thoroughbred Cannonstone have pledged to match all donations up to $2,500 made to the TAA Dec. 24. A member of TAA's Board of Directors and CEO of 1/ST RACING AND GAMING, Butler continues to be an advocate for the sport through safety, innovation, and aftercare initiatives. "The TAA is vital to the success and longevity of our racing industry," said Butler. "On a personal level, I wouldn't have my beloved horse Cannonstone...

The Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the upcoming 33rd annual TCA Stallion Season Auction, set to be held Jan. 4-8, 2023. "We greatly appreciate the support of Mt. Brilliant," Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA, said. "The Stallion Season Auction is vital to our organization as it allows us to make grants to qualified organizations across the country. Mt. Brilliant's sponsorship and support of the auction and TCA are a testament to their strong commitment to our mission of assisting Thoroughbreds and those...

Multiple Group 1 winners Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) are adapting well to Lexington in advance of their Breeders' Cup engagements on Saturday at Keeneland, according to trainer John Gosden. Aiming for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, the Prince Faisal colourbearer has won three times at the highest level in France, Dubai and the UK. Mishriff enters off a 13th in deep ground in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Frankie Dettori was aboard Mishriff, while Hollie Doyle was in the irons for...

LEXINGTON, KY -- Though introducing no fissure of light into the bruised grey sky hanging over Keeneland, daybreak on Wednesday nonetheless spread an array of crimson and saffron, dazzling as any sunrise, into the trees peering over the rituals of training track and shed row. And for those supervising one horse in particular, it felt especially apt that a final, lingering blaze of autumn glory should be preserved against the fading of the year. For if he could win the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile here on Saturday, Kinross (GB)...

Lexington, KY - Spendthrift Farm opened the doors to its new B. Wayne Hughes Visitors Center on Tuesday, Nov. 1 as part of the lead-up to the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Named in honor of the farm's late founder, the 7,000 square-foot, two story facility will serve as the home for Spendthrift's tourism. The building is located between the farm's stallion complex and main office and features a trophy room, which showcases Spendthrift's collection of trophies, artifacts and racing memorabilia, as well as a gift shop.   Spendthrift owners Eric...

The 2022 Breeders' Cup Festival Week in Lexington features a series of events aimed to bring together locals and visitors alike in the days leading up to the main event at Keeneland. The week-long celebration kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 30, with the Isaac Murphy Art Garden Party and Family Stroll. Participants have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of legends as they stroll from the Isaac Murphy Art Garden to Oliver Lewis Way along the newly-completed Town Branch Commons, a public-private trail system that follows Town Branch Creek...

Augustin Stable's Delight (Mendelssohn) became the first black-type winner for her freshman sire (by Scat Daddy) with a dominant score in Keeneland's GII J.P. Morgan Chase Jessamine S. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf S. to be held in Lexington Nov. 4. Hustling up to contest the pace through a :24.32 opening quarter, the 7-2 shot gained a clear lead after that point, clocking a half-mile in :49.61. Showing the way into the lane, Delight rolled clear with ease for...

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Is hosting two championship shows in 2022, both held this month. The T.I.P. Championships & Eastern Dressage Championships are taking place Oct. 6-9 in Aiken, South Carolina, and the T.I.P. Western Championships & Central Dressage Championships are scheduled for Oct. 12-15 in Lexington, Kentucky, in conjunction with the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover. Nearly 350 Thoroughbreds are slated to compete in 38 divisions. Each division will be awarded $2,000 in prize money with awards through 10th place and special classes will be held...