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Our History & Mission

 

Historical Timeline

Interactive Timeline.  Video files require Windows Media Player.
1935 - 1949
1935

April 17
Articles of incorporation were filed for Keeneland Association.

Hal Price Headley was elected president of Keeneland Association, Jack Young first vice president, A.B. Gay second vice president, Brownell Combs secretary and W.H. Courtney treasurer. Headley served as Keeneland Association president from 1935-1951.

Aug. 29
Keeneland Association purchased 147 1/2 acres of Fayette County sportsman J.O. "Jack" Keene's property on the Versailles Pike for $130,000 in cash and $10,000 in preferred stock at par value.

 
1936

Oct. 11
More than 15,000 people attended an open house at the racetrack, held primarily to introduce the public to the new totalizator, the first to be installed in Kentucky.

Oct. 14
An agreement was ratified with Turf Catering Company of Chicago for the operation of all concessions.

Oct. 15
Keeneland held its inaugural card. Paid attendance for the nine-day fall meeting (Oct. 15-24) totaled 25,337.

Dec. 31
Financial statement for the year revealed a net loss of $3.47.

 
1937

 April 20
Keeneland staged a showing of seven outstanding geldings, retired from racing - Sarazen, Mike Hall, Osmand, Clyde Van Dusen, Jolly Roger, Cherry Pie and Merrick.
 
1938

 April 25
The first auction of Thoroughbreds was held in the Keeneland paddock. A total of 31 lots brought $24,885, an average of $802.74. High price of $3,500 was paid for Marmitina, a 9-year-old mare with a suckling colt at her side.
 
1939

 Keeneland opens its library, anchored by the donation of book and memorabilia from William Arnold Hanger.
 
1940

 Louis Lee Haggin II was elected Keeneland Race Course president, a postion held to 1956.
 
1943 - 1945

Keeneland, rated a "suburban" plant, was requested not to operate during World War II due to the shortage of rubber. Keeneland Association leased the facilities at Churchill Downs, where streetcars ran, and conducted spring meetings there during 1943-1945.

The first yearling sale at Keeneland was conducted by Fasig-Tipton under a tent in the paddock. The auction ran for three days (Aug. 9-11).

 
1946

 Keeneland used the photo-finish camera for the first time.
 
1949

 Keeneland installed an inside aluminum rail for its spring meeting, replacing the conventional wooden one. The new rail, at a cost of approximately $5,000, was the first of its kind to be used at an American racetrack.