| Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky is known | | | | the 1 1/16 mile dirt track with a Polytrack synthetic |
| throughout the horse industry, even in the stock | | | | surface. |
| horse industry, for two things: their racing and their | | | | On the other side of Keeneland is the sales operation. |
| sales. This racing and sales complex has seen millions | | | | There are four annual sales that take place at |
| of Thoroughbreds come through its gates rather to | | | | Keeneland and these sales attract buyers from all |
| race or to be the next up and coming star in the | | | | over the world. The first sale takes place in January |
| racing industry to be sold for millions of dollars. | | | | and is for horses of all ages. The sale also features |
| Keeneland was founded in 1953 as a nonprofit racing | | | | breeding "seasons" where the rights to breed one |
| and auction facility on 147 acres of farmland. The land | | | | mare to a stallion in a given year are sold at auction. |
| had been owned by Jack Keene. The organization | | | | In April, two year olds in training are sold. This was |
| used the proceeds from races and its auctions to | | | | added in 1993 as many owners wanted to buy |
| further the Thoroughbred industry and contribute to | | | | horses that were already started in their training. |
| the surrounding community. | | | | In July, selected yearling sales are head. This sale has |
| Keeneland Race Course operates live race meets | | | | been held since 1943 and is the most prestigious sale |
| April through October and has since 1936. They | | | | in the world. Eleven Kentucky Derby winners have |
| added a turf course to the facility in 1985. The spring | | | | passed through the sale ring. These yearlings that are |
| meets at Keeneland are popular for their ability to | | | | sold here are selected by pedigree and have to pass |
| prepare young horses for the big races, such as the | | | | a physical conformation test. However, this sale has |
| Kentucky Derby. The most notable prep race is the | | | | been canceled annually since 2003. |
| Blue Grass Stakes. The fall meet also features many | | | | The next popular sale is the September Yearling Sale. |
| prep races for the Breeders' Cup. | | | | This is the world's largest sale of yearlings. These |
| Many horseracing fans were able to get a glimpse of | | | | yearlings do not have to meet any pedigree or |
| the track in the 2003 movie Seabiscuit. Several | | | | conformation requirements. This sale has produced a |
| scenes were shot at the course because the course | | | | Kentucky Derby winner, a US Horse of the Year |
| has changed little in appearance over the past several | | | | winner and an Epsom Derby winner. |
| decades. The track takes pride in keeping many of | | | | The final sale of the year is the November Breeding |
| the old racing traditions; in fact they didn't even | | | | Stock Sale. This sale features all horses capable of |
| broadcast over a public-address system until 1997. | | | | breeding, except yearlings. Stallion shares and |
| However, as of late, the track has seen many new | | | | breeding rights are also sold at this sale and the sale |
| technological renovations including the replacement of | | | | has become the world's largest Thoroughbred sale. |