A Leader in the Thoroughbred Industry
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Keeneland: A Leader in the Thoroughbred Industry INTRODUCTION Keeneland was created, as outlined by its founders in the original prospectus, to be “a model race track to perpetuate and improve the sport and to provide a course that is in- tended to serve as a symbol of the fine tradi- tions of Thoroughbred racing.” Toward that mission, revenues from Keeneland’s racing and sales operations are reinvested in the horse industry, funding purse money for the track’s world-class racing program and supporting innovative marketing and research initiatives in the areas of equine safety and welfare that benefit all breeds and disciplines of horses. Forefront of Safety and Welfare The safety of its human and equine ath- letes along with the integrity of its racing and sales operations are priority No. 1 at Keene- land. Keeneland/TeamCoyle Dirt Racing Surface NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Ac- creditation: Keeneland was among the first experts, led by Dr. Mick Peterson, Director of the turf course, information includes height race tracks in North America to earn accredi- the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Pro- of the grass and placement of the inside rail. tation by the National Thoroughbred Racing gram and co-founder of the Racing Surfaces Data also includes rainfall measurement from Association’s Safety & Integrity Alliance in Testing Laboratory. Dr. Peterson and Keene- the previous day. 2009. Since then, Keeneland has been fully land officials review the track’s dirt and turf Through the data gathered, Keeneland re-accredited every two years, most recently course prior to the start of each meet. Addi- both defines the state of the art and con- in the fall of 2015. tionally, daily measurements are recorded for tributes to a national dialogue among major Alliance certification standards address an both racing surfaces and complete electronic North American race tracks about best prac- extensive list of safety and integrity concerns records are maintained and reviewed by Dr. tices in track maintenance. within six broad areas: injury reporting and Peterson. prevention; creating a safer racing environ- Detailed reports on the dirt track and turf Installation of the Mawsafe Turf Rail: ment; aftercare and transition of retired race- course are shared with the public every race Keeneland replaced its inside turf rail with a horses; uniform medication, testing and pen- day via Keeneland.com. For the dirt track, in- Mawsafe safety rail in 2016. alties; safety research; and wagering security. formation includes maintenance performed The unique flexibility of the Mawsafe rail after the previous day’s races and morning makes it safer than existing solid pipe con- Use of Technology to Maintain a Safe, training hours as well as maintenance sched- struction for horse and rider. The major safety Consistent Racing Surface: Keeneland is uled to occur between that day’s races. For feature is the horizontal PVC rail that will ab- committed to advancing knowledge and pro- viding the most consistent dirt and turf racing surfaces in the industry. Keeneland features a 1 1/16-mile dirt track, 7½-furlong turf course and five-furlong all-weather training track. The main racing surface was converted from all-weather to dirt during the summer of 2014 and opened for racing at the 2014 Fall Meet. (See page 31.) Keeneland’s dirt track is one of the most extensively researched in North America. Keeneland employs GPS-enabled equipment to measure moisture content, track consis- tency and other variables that can alter the performance of the surface. The GPS works in concert with receivers mounted on the equip- ment to determine track position and consis- tency. The data collected is a valuable tool in making the track as safe as possible for horse and rider. Keeneland uses this technology in consul- Keeneland/Coady tation with the industry’s most knowledgeable Mawsafe Turf Rail Rev. 8/1/17 2017 Keeneland Media Guide | Introduction 7 ® sorb the impact of a horse and rider. The rail Surfaces Testing Laboratory and a uniform is designed to spring and bend similar to the trainer test and study guide. ropes around a boxing ring, flexing under the • Uses a state-of-the-art safety padding sys- The Keeneland Shop weight of the horse to allow the rider to guide tem, Best Pad Safety Solutions, to provide his mount back onto the turf course. added protection for horse and rider in the Central to the rail design are innovative starting gate. “kick out” uprights. Each upright has a pivotal connection to the rail and a slip-free connec- Support of the Thoroughbred After- tion to the base plate. The design allows the care Alliance: In February 2012, Keeneland upright to swing away should a fallen rider joined the Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey INTRODUCTION hit it. Upon impact, several uprights can slip Club to establish the Thoroughbred Aftercare free without losing the integrity of the railing. Alliance (TAA), a nonprofit organization that The rail’s metal base is below ground level helps ensure former racehorses receive a high – another safety first – so neither horse nor quality of life. jockey is in danger of striking steel at high The alliance, based in Lexington, is an ac- Inspired by Keeneland’s tradition and speed. crediting body for facilities that work with re- culture, The Keeneland Shop conveys a tired Thoroughbreds and a fundraising body timeless lifestyle through carefully curated, Setting Standards in the Racing Indus- to support them. unique apparel, personal accessories and try: As an industry leader in the development Keeneland’s premier Thoroughbred sales sophisticated gifts. and funding of innovative safety and integrity provide substantial funding for the TAA. Con- Located near Keeneland’s Grandstand initiatives, Keeneland: signors may contribute .05 percent of their South entrance, The Keeneland Shop • In 2008 created and launched – in associa- total sales and buyers may contribute .05 per- offers equestrian-influenced merchan- tion with the Jockeys’ Guild, The Jockey cent of their total purchases to the TAA. Ad- dise, including branded and distinctive ap- Club and Lexington physician and Keene- ditionally, Keeneland contributes .05 percent parel from Barbour, Ledbury, Ralph Lauren, land Medical Director Dr. Barry Schumer of the total purchase dollars for each sale. In Crittenden, Southern Proper and more. – the Jockey Health Information System™. 2016, the program generated $541,125 for the The in-store Peter Millar Crown Shop This technology enables emergency per- TAA. has specialty menswear for a day at the rac- es or the office. In the spring, The Keene- sonnel at race tracks throughout North On the racing side, Keeneland partners land Shop is the premier location to find America to immediately access a jockey’s with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky the perfect Kentucky Derby hat, with offer- updated medical history in the event of an HBPA to enable Kentucky HBPA members ings from Christine Moore Millinery, Formé injury. to contribute voluntarily $5 to the Alliance Millinery and Polly Singer Couture Hats. • Is a founding partner of the Grayson-Jock- for each of their horses that start in races The retail flagship is open Monday ey Club Research Foundation’s new Ken- at Keeneland and Churchill. The two tracks through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET tucky Initiative, dedicated to building on pledged to match each contribution gener- with extended hours during race meets and traditional support throughout Kentucky ated in their respective races. horse sales. Special events during racing for research to advance equine health and Contributions from Keeneland and its season include Milliners Corner with noted welfare. horsemen collected during the 2016 Spring designers as well as artist and author sign- • Hosts the Welfare and Safety of the Race- and Fall Meets raised $26,440 in support of ings of books related to Thoroughbred rac- horse Summit, coordinated and underwrit- the TAA. ing. Information about special events can ten by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research be found at Keenelandshop.com and via Foundation and The Jockey Club. The Backing of Horse Industry Organiza- social media by following @shopkeeneland summit brings together representatives tions: Keeneland provides valuable financial on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. from the breeding, racing and veterinary assistance to support the work of various The Keeneland Shop also has a aspects of the industry to discuss impor- equine-related organizations that encompass 400-square-foot satellite store at The Lexus tant topics. Among the major accomplish- research, health and safety, marketing and Store in Lexington. ments to come out of previous summits promotion, charitable, and educational ef- To shop anytime, visit are the Equine Injury Database, Racing forts. KeenelandShop.com. Keeneland Select Keeneland Select, Keeneland’s official online betting site (KeenelandSelect.com), enables horseplayers to watch and wager on live racing from tracks around the world. Players enjoy easy-to- use platforms on both computers and mobile devices while being part of a rewards platform that is second to none for any level of player. Launched in August 2011, Keeneland Select is dedicated to the player and the sport, returning a portion of its profits to the Thoroughbred industry through increased race purses, support for player initiatives, better player rewards and more. Keeneland Select also sponsors two Keeneland races: the $150,000 Transylvania (G3) in April for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and the $150,000 Woodford (G2) in October for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf. 8 2017 Keeneland Media Guide | Introduction Rev. 8/1/17 ®.