A ppublicationublication of Bowles Rice LLP FFallall 22014014 THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT Plays Unique Role in Global Industry Bill Thomason, President and CEO Keeneland

Bill Thomason became the Located in central ’s famed Bluegrass seventh President and Chief Executive Officer of Keeneland Region, Keeneland sits in the heart of horse on September 1, 2012. He was country, surrounded by the world’s most previously the Vice President and prominent Thoroughbred farms. The setting is Chief Financial Officer, having joined Keeneland in June 2010. appropriate since Keeneland plays an important role in both Thoroughbred breeding and racing Mr. Thomason formerly served globally. as the Assistant Treasurer for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky We, at Keeneland, are very proud of the fact our Thoroughbred Owners and brand is recognized internationally as the gold Breeders and was a member of the audit committee of Breeders’ standard for Thoroughbred racing and sales. As Cup Limited. He also previously the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, served as Treasurer of the Keeneland is the preeminent market for yearlings Keeneland has sold more champions and Thoroughbred Club of America. and breeding stock. Keeneland also ranks among stakes winners than any other sales company: He worked for two years at the the world’s premier race tracks, and was recently 11 recipients of the as Horse of the accounting firm of Alexander selected as the host site for the 2015 Breeders’ Year; 19 winners; 21 Preakness Grant & Co. before joining Mill Ridge Farm, where he worked Cup World Championships. winners; 18 Belmont winners; and 77 Breeders’ for 28 years as Financial and Cup winners. Keeneland sales graduates also Administrative Manager. Keeneland conducts four auctions annually: have excelled on the world stage, winning the Mr. Thomason is a member of the September Yearling Sale; the November Epsom Derby (G1) and its French and Irish The Jockey Club, a Trustee of Breeding Stock Sale; the January Horses of counterparts, the Dubai World Cup (G1), and the American Horse Council, All Ages Sale; and the April Two-Year-Olds in major stakes in Europe, Russia, Asia, and Central and a board member of the National Thoroughbred Training Sale. In 2013, we sold 6,365 horses for and South America. Racing Association (NTRA), $534 million. Thoroughbred Racing Consignors bring their very best horses to Associations (TRA), Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau Keeneland, because we offer a deep and (TRPB), Thoroughbred Aftercare internationally diverse buying bench. Every Alliance (TAA), University of year, we welcome leading owners, trainers Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation, Kentucky Chamber, and bloodstock representatives from nearly Central Kentucky Chapter of every U.S. state and approximately 50 foreign the American Heart Association countries, including the traditional racing and Central Bank Lexington’s Advisory Board of Directors. markets of England, Ireland and France, as well as buyers from South America, the Middle East, He graduated from the University Russia, India, Asia, Australia and South Africa. of Kentucky with a bachelor of science degree in accounting in 1977 and a master’s degree in We like to say that Keeneland is where the world business administration in 1978. comes to buy horses.

Strategically, Keeneland is committed to marketing the Thoroughbred industry domestically and Horses being saddled in the paddock at Keeneland prior to a race. internationally. Our sales staff travels year-round

44 Fall 2014 THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT Keeneland conducts two world-class race meets each year in April and October. throughout North America and to all $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile, are Grade champions, who were foaled and raised on corners of the globe to promote Keeneland 1 stakes. Many trainers use the fall stakes at central Kentucky farms, and often sold at and the horse industry, to meet with clients, Keeneland as a last prep race for their top Keeneland. build relationships and share expertise. horses pointing toward the Breeders’ Cup, As a result, it is especially gratifying to see such as two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Seventy-seven winners of 83 Breeders’ established buyers, as well as new faces, winner Wise Dan, the 2012-2013 Horse Cup races have been sold at Keeneland, travel to Keeneland and central Kentucky of the Year, and two-time Breeders’ Cup including Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) to buy American-bred horses. Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner and winners Wild Again, A.P. Indy, champion Groupie Doll. and Zenyatta. Five Keeneland sales Keeneland is most familiar to fans for its alumni reached the winner’s circle world-class race meets, held each April Keeneland will be the focus of the at the 2013 Breeders’ Cup, held at and October, which offer some of the international racing community as we Santa Anita in southern California: richest purse money in North America host, for the first time, the Breeders’ Cup, Beholder (Distaff-G1); London Bridge and showcase top owners, trainers and to be held Oct. 30-31, 2015. (Marathon-G3); (Turf horses. The Spring Meet is anchored Sprint-G1); New Year’s Day (Juvenile-G1); by the Central Bank Ashland (G1) and Nowhere in the world is the Thoroughbred and Secret Circle (Sprint-G1). Toyota Blue Grass (G1), prep races for the more revered than here in the Bluegrass. (G1) and Kentucky Derby The Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland will be We invite you to join us at Keeneland for (G1), respectively. embraced and celebrated by the central an afternoon of racing or to experience the Kentucky community with an enthusiasm excitement of the horse sales. For more The Fall Meet opens with the signature Fall unlike any other previous host site. information, please visit our website at Stars Weekend, which presents nine graded Keeneland.com. stakes worth $3.35 million over three days. The event also will be a homecoming Five of those races, including the for many of these great Breeders’ Cup

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT Fall 2014 45