Keeneland

Keeneland is both a world-class thoroughbred race course and a sales facility; and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It has two meets - fall and spring. It also has numerous sales that are fasinating to attend, but sit on your hands or you may be asked to sign a "chit" for a $9 million broodmare!!

I've only been able to go once so far, but it was for a race that was one of the highlights of the "social season", so ladies were dressed to the hilt including hats, and gentlemen were in suits/ties. Not only was it good horse racing, but the "people watching" was terrific.

At the sale, you can wander the barn area and watch prospects being shown to buyers from all over the world, or go to the paddock area and watch the horses circle as they wait their turn in the sales ring. As I moved around the paddock, I picked up on French, Arabic and a definite Irish lilt as buyers studied their programs and critiqued the horses. Once in the sales arena, it's first class all the way. A "cheap" hip number will go for $100,000 or less. I talked to one farm manager that was thinking of buying a certain broodmare that wasn't very well built, but had good bloodlines, if he could get her for around $25,000. He bowed out when she brought $80,000!!

Keeneland also has restaurants, a gift shop, and a track kitchen where the jockeys, trainers, etc., eat during training and meets.

Keeneland would defintely be someplace that we would all have to visit while here in Kentucky. Churchill Downs, of course, is the other. But that's for another post!.