BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Nicholson to Receive Eclipse Award of Merit

Nick Nicholson, who retired as president of Keeneland in September of last year, will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit for his leadership and achievements on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry, officials said Jan. 7.

Thomason Newest Member of NTRA Board

Bill Thomason, who took over as president and chief executive officer at Keeneland Sept. 1, has been named to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors.

Race-Day Drugs, Regulation Discussed by Panel

The racing industry is closer to uniformity in drug regulations and penalties than many admit, but agreement on race-day anti-bleeding drugs in a "toxic" environment will require some heavy lifting, officials said May 2.

Record-Setting Spring Keeneland Meet Ends

Keeneland's 2012 spring race meet ended April 27 with several records being set, including attendance and wagering.

Nicholson to Retire as President of Keeneland

Nick Nicholson will retire Sept. 1 as president and chief executive officer of Keeneland, and will be replaced by Bill Thomason, the association's vice president and chief financial officer.

Keeneland Sets Attendance, Handle Records

Keeneland reported that attendance for Blue Grass Stakes Day, April 14, totaled 40,617, nearly 7,000 above its previous single-day record, and that all-sources wagering on the first 12-race card in history was also a record.

Jockey Injury Database Launched

The Jockeys' Guild April 4 announced the creation of the Jockey Injury Database, a new program aimed at preventing rider injuries in the future.

Keeneland Again Tops HANA Racetrack Ratings

For the fourth consecutive year Keeneland is the top-rated racetrack under the Horseplayers Association of North America racetrack ratings system.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Formed

A group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced Feb. 9 the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, an organization designed to serve the accrediting body for aftercare facilities and fundraising.

Lexington Catholic to Launch Equine Academy

Lexington Catholic High School is gearing up to unveil a new program called the Equine Academy in the fall of 2012.

Keeneland Presidents' Round Table: Part 5

In Part 5, the presidents imagine the next 75 years at Keeneland, reflect on what Keeneland has meant to them personally, and discuss the culture of Keeneland.

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Keeneland Presidents' Round Table: Part 4

Part 4 includes a discussion of full-card simulcasting, the ups-and-downs of the sale company, and the old sale pavilion.

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Keeneland Presidents Round Table: Part 3

To celebrate Keeneland's 75th anniversary, BloodHorse.com presents a video series with Keeneland Presidents Bill Greely, Nick Nicholson, and James E. "Ted" Bassett III discussing Keeneland through the years.

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Keeneland Presidents' Round Table: Part 2

In Part II, the presidents talk about the unforgettable people at Keeneland, including Queen Elizabeth II, Sheikh Mohammed, Elizabeth Taylor, and the filming of Seabiscuit.

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Keeneland Presidents' Round Table: Part 1

To celebrate Keeneland's 75th anniversary, BloodHorse.com presents a video series with Keeneland Presidents Bill Greely, Nick Nicholson, and James E. "Ted" Bassett III. In Part I, taking on job as President, advice, and more.

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Keeneland Sale Still Up--And So Is Morale

A day after the Keeneland September yearling sale topped its 2010 gross with five days to go, the ninth day of selling was up over last year. And the importance of that development goes far beyond the numbers.

Medaglia d'Oro Colt Brings $600,000

A Medaglia d'Oro colt was purchased by Elizabeth Moran's Brushwood Stables for $600,000 to top the early portion of the Keeneland September yearling sale Sept. 11.

September Sale Positives Outweigh Negatives

While rest of the world worries about the European debt crisis and America's high unemployment rate, horsemen are starting to see signs that the struggling Thoroughbred market is taking a turn for the better.

Keeneland and NBC Sports to Launch TV Series

Keeneland Association and the NBC Sports Group announced Aug. 18 a partnership to broadcast "Autumn at Keeneland," live racing from Keeneland in Lexington, over two weekends this fall beginning Oct. 7 on VERSUS.

Keeneland Launches Its Own ADW Platform

Keeneland has launched its own advance deposit wagering system, which is available to residents of Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Ohio.

Keeneland Concludes Strong Spring Meet

Despite the wettest April on record, Keeneland posts strong handle and attendance figures.

Keeneland to Launch ADW Wagering System

The Keeneland Association has announced it will launch an advanced deposit wagering system this fall.

Keeneland Re-Accredited on Safety, Integrity

Keeneland Race Course in Lexington has become the first racing facility to earn re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Business Strong Early in Keeneland Meet

Keeneland reported business gains for the first three days of its spring meet, including record attendance for a three-day period.

Status of Turfway, KY Industry Discussed

Officials wouldn't comment April 8 on growing rumors of an impending ownership change at Turfway Park in Kentucky, but they did say plans call for live racing to continue.

Keeneland Honored With Maker's Mark Bottle

Maker's Mark Distillery officials announced March 28 that the 2011 Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) commemorative bottle will honor Keeneland Race Course in commemoration of its 75th anniversary.

Keeneland to Host Good Morning Bluegrass

Keeneland will host Commerce Lexington's Good Morning Bluegrass, presented by Fifth Third Bank, on Friday, March 25, from 7:30-9 a.m., as part of Keeneland's 75th anniversary festivities.

Evans Estate to Disperse Stock at Keeneland

The estate of the late Edward P. (Ned) Evans will disperse its Thoroughbred yearlings, weanlings, broodmares, and racing stock at Keeneland's September yearling and November breeding stock sales.

Robertson is Keeneland's New VP of Sales

Walt Robertson, who retired from Fasig-Tipton in November, will be going to work for that auction company's biggest rival, Keeneland, in the newly created position of vice president of sales.

Robertson: Keeneland Position Is 'Dream Job'

Walt Robertson's retirement from the Thoroughbred auction business didn't last long. He'll go back to work Jan. 5 at Keeneland after leaving its biggest rival, Fasig-Tipton, in November.

Keeneland Fall Meet Posts Gains

Good weather, competitive racing boost attendance and handle at Keeneland fall meet.

Marzelli to Step Down as Equibase Chairman

Alan Marzelli, chairman of Equibase since 1997, will step down from that position at the end of the year, it was announced Oct. 1. He will be succeeded by Nick Nicholson of Keeneland.

Through Eight Days, Keeneland Reports Gains

Through the first eight days of its fall meet, Keeneland reported solid increases in ontrack attendance and pari-mutuel handle, and steady all-sources wagering.

New Traffic, Parking Plan for Keeneland

Keeneland officials have unveiled a traffic and parking plan for the Oct. 8-30 fall meet that includes a charge for parking in the lots that enter the Lexington track from Gate 2.

Buyers, Sellers React to Book Two Format

Following the first few days of Book Two horses being offered under a new format at the Keeneland September yearling sale, buyers and consignors had a chance to reflect on the positives and negatives of the change.

Keeneland a Breeders' Cup 'Industry Champion'

The Breeders' Cup announced Sept. 9 that Keeneland Association has been named an official industry champion of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Keeneland VP Wilkinson Announces Retirement

Saying the "timing was right" for the change, he plans to pursue other interests such as teaching and consulting.

Blanton Leaving Keeneland for University

Jay Blanton, director of marketing and communications for Keeneland, will leave in mid-September to take a job in public relations at the University of Kentucky.

Keeneland Revenue Declines Will Affect Giving

Steps being taken by the Keeneland Association to cut expenses, such as the current effort to have some employees accept buyouts, will also affect the organization's support of charities.

Live Streaming for Jockey Club Round Table

For the first time, The Jockey Club will provide live video streaming of the Aug. 22 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Keeneland Cuts Purses by More Than $1 Million

Citing the challenging economic climate, Keeneland director of racing Rogers Beasley said the Lexington racetrack has cut purses for the fall meet by more than $1 million.

Rider Injury Database a Summit Priority

Participants in welfare and safety meeting commit to collecting information about racing's human participants.

Nicholson: Expand Safety and Welfare Efforts

Nick Nicholson, the president and CEO of Keeneland, called for the Thoroughbred industry to expand its efforts to protect its participants--both human and equine--from injury.

Thomason Appointed CFO of Keeneland

Today, June 18 Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson today announced that Bill Thomason, a long-time financial administrator and leader in the equine industry, will be the company's new Chief Financial Officer.

Keeneland to Partner With The Greenbrier

Keeneland and The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia will partner in order to mutually benefit from each other. Both facilities are hoping to attract new customers through the partnership.

TOBA Dinner to be Held at Keeneland

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced that the 25th Annual TOBA National Awards Dinner will be held at Keeneland September 10.

Keeneland Attendance Up, Handle Down

Great weather allowed Keeneland to set two single-day records during its spring meet that ended April 23. Average daily on-track handle, however, declined 7%.

2010 Safety and Integrity Standards Approved

The updated code of standards released last month by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance has been approved by the full NTRA board of directors.

Keeneland Hopeful to Renew Toyota Sponsorship

Keeneland officials are hopeful the racetrack's partnership with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, sponsor of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), continues, Keeneland president Nick Nicholson said April 7.

Vision 20/20 Group Getting Industry Educated

A Thoroughbred leadership group called Vision 20/20 has been formed by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders in order to strengthen the industry.