Shannon Arvin

With two days of selling in Book 6 yet to come, the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale became the highest-grossing sale in the history of the auction house. When the gavel fell on hip 3634 not long after 6 p.m. Thursday evening, gross receipts totaled $405,519,500 (not including post-sale transactions) for the first 10 days of trade, breaking the previous high-water mark of $405,495,700 set in 2022. The cumulative average of $174,342 represented a healthy 7.3% bump over the corresponding figure from 2023, while the median price of $95,000 was...

A 25% fractional interest in the undefeated stakes-winning juvenile filly Kilwin (Twirling Candy), winner of the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8, will be sold at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the paddock at Del Mar, site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2, the sales company said in a release on Friday morning. Kilwin, owned by BBN Racing and trained by Rusty Arnold, is scheduled to make her next start in the GI John Deere Breeders'...

It's about to be uber-busy season at Keeneland. The fall meet begins Oct. 4. But first there is the annual extravaganza that is the Keeneland September sale. That begins Sept. 9 and more than 4,000 horses are in the catalogue. The sale and the upcoming racing meet were among the topics of discussion when Keeneland CEO and President Shannon Arvin joined the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. Arvin is expecting that this will be a strong sale. "The economic indicators so far are really good," she said. "We,...

Keeneland's President and CEO Shannon Arvin joined this week's TDN Writers' Room ahead of a particularly busy season at Keeneland with the September Yearling Sale and November Breeding Stock Sale, as well as the October Race Meet, all coming up in the months ahead.

Fifth Grade Field Trips return to Keeneland this week, with 2,100 students from public and private schools in Fayette County coming to the track this week to participate in a two-hour interactive tour designed to expand their knowledge of Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. "Fifth Grade Field Trips offer students in the area a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with the rich history of Keeneland," Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. "These tours allow for hands-on experiences on our grounds that help showcase the diversity of careers...

The 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale released its catalog Tuesday with 4,396 horses set to go through the ring over 12 sessions. The sale will be held Monday, Sept. 9 through Saturday, Sept. 21 in Lexington, KY. "This time of year energizes Keeneland and our entire industry as we prepare to showcase an outstanding collection of quality yearlings and welcome many domestic and international horsemen and horsewomen to Lexington to participate in a vibrant marketplace unlike anything in the world," said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. "Having achieved some...

by Sara Gordon and Katie Petrunyak How do we guarantee a future for horse racing? Many will offer answers such as increased equine and track safety, improved wagering opportunities, and modernizing and embracing technological advancements. And though those are all extremely important, it will all be for naught if there is no incoming generation to grow the fan base and ultimately, hopefully, join the industry's workforce. That's where Amplify Horse Racing comes in. Founded in 2019 by Annise Montplaisir, now the Executive Director, and Madison Scott, a member of the...

The inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale, an opportunity for owners to acquire top-class racehorses and breeding stock, will be held the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the paddock at Del Mar, site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships, Keeneland said in a release on Thursday afternoon. Participation in the sale is by invitation; buyers and sellers will be contacted individually by Keeneland sales representatives. Interested parties also are encouraged to click here for more information. "The Keeneland Championship Sale is an opportunity to play at the highest levels of...

Keeneland's 2024 Spring Meet concluded Friday with all-sources wagering exceeding $218 million, the third-highest handle in track history. Average daily purse money of $1.16 million attracted Thoroughbred racing's top stables and jockeys, delivering 16 days of quality racing complemented by community and special events that offered family fun with a philanthropic mission. "A big thanks to our horsemen and sponsors, the crowds who turned out daily on track and those who watched and wagered on Keeneland across the country," Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. "We especially appreciate the...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has launched a national campaign, Safety Runs First, and a new corresponding website to promote the sport's commitment to safety, welfare and integrity. The campaign and website, safetyrunsfirst.com, are designed to be a continuing, long-term resource for the public as the racing industry furthers its investment in programs and resources to help reduce injury risk and enhance the safety of its athletes. The website highlights reforms being implemented in the sport and their results to date, including the impacts of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety...

Keeneland has become a sponsor of the International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation, an organization which serves the members of Thoroughbred breeding associations in 26 countries that produce some 80,000 foals annually. "We are enormously grateful to Keeneland for their support and welcome them as an ITBF sponsor," said Sarah Carmichael,  CEO of ITBF. "As a not-for-profit organization, ITBF has to look to the industry for ongoing financial assistance to facilitate the essential service that we provide to the international breeding industry. Our role is a continually expanding one, and without our...

Despite the varying levels of industry experience and the assortment of roles held amongst the 80 attendees at the Horse Racing Women's Summit (HRWS) event at Keeneland on Thursday, April 18, the sense of comradery was palpable throughout the day's program. The first HRWS event of the year, the sold-out program included a keynote conversation and two panel discussions focused on the topics of sales and bloodstock, along with a workshop activity and ample opportunity to converse with fellow industry women throughout the afternoon. Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of...