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Keeneland Reveals 2021 Digital Sales Ring Schedule

The Keeneland Digital Sales Ring, the stand-alone online auction platform that debuted in 2020, has scheduled seven mixed sales for 2021.

The first digital sale is set for March 23, followed by sales in May, June, July, August, October and December (see dates for sales, entry open/close and catalog availability at the conclusion of this release).

Keeneland developed the Digital Sales Ring together with Kentucky-based technology company Horseco and in 2020 conducted sales in June, October and December. The platform offers Keeneland the flexibility to host small, select online auctions throughout the year in addition to its four major live sales in January, April, September and November. These online auctions also allow sellers the opportunity to take advantage of timely updates in offering racing and breeding stock.

“We are excited to announce the 2021 schedule for the Keeneland Digital Sales Ring, which continues to grow the online market and expand the services Keeneland is able to provide its sales clients,” Keeneland director of sales development Mark Maronde said. “The Digital Sales Ring offers tremendous convenience and flexibility for sellers and buyers, who can fully participate in the auction process and present horses for sale regardless of location.”

“We thank the buyers and consignors who supported the Digital Sales Ring during its launch in 2020,” Keeneland president, CEO and interim director of sales Shannon Arvin said. “Keeneland has always been a leader in Thoroughbred sales and we look forward to employing further enhancements to the online platform and digital catalog.”

On the day of each sale, online bidding will open at 10 a.m. ET and begin to close at 2 p.m.

2021 Keeneland Digital Sales Ring Schedule and Important Dates

Month	Entries Open	Entries Close	Catalog is Live on Keenelanddigital.com	Date of Sale
March	March 1	March 16	March 18	March 23
May	May 1	May 18	May 20	May 25
June	May 26	June 22	June 24	June 29
July	June 30	July 20	July 22	July 27
August	July 28	Aug. 24	Aug. 26	Aug. 31
October	Oct. 1	Oct. 19	Oct. 21	Oct. 26
December	Dec. 1	Dec. 7	Dec. 9	Dec. 14

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Keeneland to Host Integrated HRA Sale Apr. 26

Keeneland will host an April Horses of Racing Age Sale at the start of GI Kentucky Derby week on Monday, Apr. 26. The sale will be an integrated event, with live auctioneers at Keeneland, and horses presented for sale both physically at Keeneland as well as at off-site locations at the choice of the sellers and consignors. Internet bidding will also be offered.

“Keeneland is excited to have the April Sale to showcase horses in training during the racing season,” Keeneland President, CEO and Interim Head of Sales Shannon Arvin said. “Our goal with this innovative format is to provide flexibility for both buyers and sellers. For their convenience, buyers may attend the sale or participate via the internet. Sellers have the option to send their horses to Keeneland or keep them at the race track where they are in training. We hope this unique marketplace facilitates vibrant trade.”

Entries for the sale will be taken Mar. 1 through Apr. 5. An enhanced digital-only catalog with walking videos, racing videos, past performances and other information will be available on keeneland.com starting Apr. 13.

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Keeneland’s Spring Meet To Include 18 Stakes Races Worth $4.1 Million

Keeneland will present 18 stakes, featuring the 97th running of the $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and the 84th running of the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), worth a total of $4.1 million during its 2021 Spring Meet from April 2-23. The Toyota Blue Grass and the Central Bank Ashland are two nationally prominent classic preps.

Post time for the first race during the 15-day season will be 1:05 p.m. ET. Keeneland will be closed Easter Sunday, April 4.

“Keeneland is excited to welcome racing back to the Bluegrass in April,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “With the cancellation of last year's Spring Meet because of the pandemic, it is critical to the Thoroughbred industry that we are able to offer our full slate of April stakes on their traditional dates. These races are key fixtures on the international racing calendar.

“For this year's Spring Meet,” Arvin added, “Keeneland is working on plans for ticketing options under our COVID-19 safety protocols and we plan to make an announcement in the next few weeks.”

Keeneland will conduct a total of 10 stakes on grass and eight stakes on dirt while offering multiple stakes on four days during the Spring Meet.

Opening day, Friday, April 2, features three stakes: $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds; $150,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, at 7 furlongs, 184 feet, on dirt for 3-year-old fillies; and $100,000 Palisades Turf Sprint, for 3-year-olds going 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Beaumont is worth 17 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, with the winner collecting 10 points.

The Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland will be contested the following day, Saturday, April 3, as part of a blockbuster card of six stakes. The Toyota Blue Grass, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, and the Central Bank Ashland, for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, both are worth 180 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The winners of each stakes will earn 100 qualifying points to the respective races.

The early nomination deadline for the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland is Feb. 13. Late nominations are due March 17.

Joining the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland on April 3 are the $300,000 Madison (G1), for older fillies and mares at 7 furlongs; $200,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the grass; $200,000 Shakertown (G2), for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and $200,000 Commonwealth (G3), for older horses at 7 furlongs.

For the remainder of the Spring Meet, racing will be held Wednesday through Sunday.

Stakes action resumes Friday, April 9, with the $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1), for 4-year-olds and up at 1 mile on turf, and the $100,000 TVG Limestone Turf Sprint for 3-year-old fillies going 5½ furlongs on the grass.

Saturday, April 10, will present four stakes on a day highlighting the $300,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares and the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3), for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. One of the final preps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Stonestreet Lexington awards 34 Derby qualifying points. The winner will earn 20 points.

The day's other stakes are the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3), for older horses racing 1 1/8 miles, and the $100,000 Giant's Causeway (L) a 5½-furlong turf race for fillies and mares.

Older horses will be showcased in three graded stakes during the final days of the season. The $100,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles is set for Friday, April 16. The $200,000 Elkhorn (G2), for older males at 1½ miles on the turf, is the following day.

The April 23 closing-day feature is the $150,000 Bewitch (G3), for fillies and mares racing 1½ miles on the turf.

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Thoroughbred Safety Coalition Adds Reforms to Platform

Members of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition Steering Committee voted unanimously to adopt four new medical and operational reforms to further reduce the use of medication in racing, enhance consistency across racing jurisdictions and promote transparency, according to a press release from the organization Monday.

The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition is an industry-led effort to advance safety measures in Thoroughbred racing.

“These new reforms set the stage for another productive year of advancing meaningful changes to strengthen the culture of safety in thoroughbred racing,” said the release.

The following recommended reforms have been added to Coalition's platform:

Prohibit intravenous, intramuscular, transmucosal, topical, nasal and oral administration of medications and substances that are not specifically authorized within 48 hours of racing
Impose requirements for the identification and treatment of hypothyroidism in horses
Adopt testing and maintenance standards for racetrack surfaces
Advocate for the adoption of all facility specifications outlined in the RMTC's Test Barn Best Practices for onsite test barns and follow the protocols consistent with the Best Practices for sampling occurring at another location

“Building out our reform platform remains the Coalition's top priority as we continue to advocate for uniform measures that will protect the well-being of our horses and the integrity of our sport across state racing jurisdictions,” said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland Association Inc. “Testing, whether it's for racing surface consistency, hypothyroidism or controlled substances, strengthens accountability and ensures an even playing field.”

“HISA marks a significant achievement for our community and will benefit horses, participants and fans alike by implementing uniform anti-doping, medication control and racetrack operation measures. The Safety Coalition's mission directly complements the Authority's efforts and we look forward to working together,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited.

“The work that goes into ensuring our athletes are racing under the safest and most transparent conditions possible is constant and requires collaboration across the thoroughbred community,” said Martin Panza, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at the New York Racing Association. “The racetrack surface maintenance and testing protocols are the direct result of such collaboration led by the NTRA and the members of this coalition and will serve as the basis for HISA's racetrack operations program.”

Coalition Steering Committee members include Breeders' Cup Limited, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Keeneland Association Inc., the New York Racing Association Inc., Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and The Stronach Group.

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