Keeneland's 2024 fall meet, 17 days of exceptional Thoroughbred racing from Oct. 4-26, will stand out in track history for being the most lucrative racing season with 22 stakes worth a record $9.85 million; for having the richest race, the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1T); and for being held amid the largest construction project since the track opened 88 years ago.
The fall meet is further enhanced by the return of such popular special events as Make-A-Wish Day, College Scholarship Day, Heroes Day, and Sunrise Trackside as well as tailgating on The Hill and a full slate of wagering options created to appeal to handicappers at all skill levels.
Keeneland has boosted the purses for five stakes races by a total of $800,000. The purse of the Oct. 5 Coolmore Turf Mile jumped by $125,000; the purse of the Oct. 12 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T) went from $600,000 to $750,000; and the Oct. 26 Bryan Station (G3T) doubled in value to $600,000.
In addition, two stakes were upgraded, and both received $50,000 purse increases: the Oct. 19 Perryville (G3) is now worth $300,000, and the value of the Oct. 25 Valley View (G2T) is $350,000.
Opening the season is Fall Stars Weekend, three days with a total of 11 stakes worth $5.8 million. Eight stakes are part of the "Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In," which awards the winners automatic starting positions and free entry into the 41st Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
Racing will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays. Gates open at 11 a.m. ET. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m.
Once again, Keeneland will offer complimentary digital programs with Equibase past performances that fans can download.
"With Keeneland just having completed a record September Yearling Sale, there's so much energy and excitement on the grounds that we can't wait to share with our fans and horsemen this fall meet," Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said.
"We are thrilled to offer record purse money this race meet, which attracts the best horses in the country to Keeneland, many of them potential Breeders' Cup contenders. Additionally, fans will see that construction of our new paddock building is well underway. This project represents an investment in the future of our sport and will provide unique hospitality experiences for our guests during race meets and sales, beginning this time next year. All this will set the stage for a fun fall meet."
Begun in January and scheduled to be completed in September 2025, Keeneland's construction project centers on the three-level paddock building that will extend the entire length of the paddock and walking ring. The new facility is designed to feature a variety of ticketed experiences available to the public, including traditional sit-down dining, new bar concepts, and a panoramic rooftop. The ground level will include saddling stalls (currently located on the north end of the saddling paddock) to elevate safety for equine and human participants and give fans an unmatched view of the prerace activity.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
