90^th anniversary season precedes Breeders’ Cup World Championships

Keeneland will welcome many of the world’s top horses and competitors to Lexington beginning Friday for a spectacular month of Thoroughbred racing that celebrates the track’s 90th anniversary and culminates with the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Oct. 30-31.

The 17-day Fall Meet, from Friday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 24, opens with the 25th running of Fall Stars Weekend, when many of the sport’s leading horses, owners, trainers and jockeys will compete across three days of world-class racing. Eleven stakes worth $6.35 million, including six Grade 1 events, headline opening weekend, with eight races offering automatic berths into the Breeders’ Cup through the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.”

The season also includes Keeneland’s 90^th birthday on Oct. 15 along with such popular special events as Make-A-Wish Day, College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End, Kids Club Day Sponsored by Golisano Children’s at UK, Heroes Day and Sunrise Trackside; free weekend tailgating on The Hill; and offerings for horseplayers of all skill levels. The season also will return the 10-cent Superfecta wager.

“This October represents so much of what makes Keeneland special,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “For 90 years, the best horses and horsemen have come to Keeneland to compete at the highest level, and this Fall Meet continues that tradition. From opening weekend through the Breeders’ Cup, we have an extraordinary opportunity to welcome fans to the Bluegrass and celebrate the horses, people and competition that make Thoroughbred racing so special.”

During the Fall Meet, racing will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays. Gates open at 11 a.m. ET, and post time for the first race is 1 p.m. 

New: Some areas go cashless

Beginning at the Fall Meet, these areas at Keeneland will accept only cashless payment: all public dining rooms and The Keeneland Shop as well as roaming beverage vendors. They will accept credit and debit cards and mobile payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. 

Cash will continue to be accepted at the Track Kitchen, mutuel windows, concessions, bars and program stands. 

Tickets are available on select days

Tickets remain available for select days of the Fall Meet — including weekday racing — with a variety of options for fans to experience Keeneland. Available ticket options include select dining experiences, including in the new Paddock Building, as well as reserved seating and General Admission on select days.

Fans also have the opportunity to experience the Loge Boxes, which seat up to six guests and offer a unique way to take in the Fall Meet. Built specifically for the Breeders’ Cup, the Loge Boxes provide a preview of the World Championships’ return to Keeneland later in October.

All Fall Meet tickets must be purchased in advance through Keeneland’s Official Online Ticket Office at Tickets.Keeneland.com/racing. Because ticket inventory is updated automatically, fans are encouraged to check the site regularly and sign up to be notified when additional tickets become available. Keeneland offers a return policy of up to 48 hours in advance of race day.

Patrons also can access complimentary digital programs with Equibase past performances Powered by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) at Keeneland.com/program.

Races on television, online

FanDuel TV will feature extensive live, onsite coverage of Keeneland beginning at noon every race day. Fans can watch all Keeneland races, which are streamed live and at no charge, on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube channel.

Additional TV coverage is as follows:

Friday, Oct. 2 from 4-6 p.m. on NBCSN/Peacock. Includes the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2), the Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales and the Darley Alcibiades (G1).

Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3-6 p.m. on NBC. Includes the Woodford (G2) Presented by FanDuel, the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), the First Lady (G1), the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1).

Sunday, Oct. 4 from 5-6:30 p.m. on NBCSN/Peacock. Includes the Indian Summer (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) and the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2).

Friday, Oct. 9 from 4-6 p.m. on FS2/YouTube. Includes the Sycamore (G2).

Saturday, Oct. 10 from 4-6 p.m. on FS2/YouTube. Includes the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana.

Sunday, Oct. 11 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on FS1/YouTube. Includes the Franklin (G2).

Special events fill season

In the early 1930s, Keeneland’s founders set forth a mission to create a model race track while supporting Central Kentucky. Today, the track’s special events and activities enhance and assist the local Kentucky community as well as the Thoroughbred industry. The Fall Meet includes these special events for Keeneland patrons and handicappers:

Saturday, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24. Sunrise Trackside. This free program from 8-10 a.m. is geared toward families. Enjoy a light breakfast for purchase at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching racehorses train. Children’s activities and mini tours are available. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., pet a horse near the Paddock, while the John Deere Tractor Break takes place during the renovation period on the main track. 

On Oct. 24, a special Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside will include a costume contest and the appearance of the Headless Horseman in the Paddock.

Click here for more information.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 14, 21: WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. Click here for more information about this event, an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try.

Thursday, Oct. 8: 19^th Make-A-Wish Day. Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for deserving children. Make-A-Wish children and their families are treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing all the excitement of a day at the races. Fans are encouraged to cheer on these children and support Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. Click here for more information.

Friday, Oct. 9: Big Blue Day. Join Keeneland for an afternoon of racing and University of Kentucky pride to celebrate homecoming weekend. The Wildcats will host LSU in football the following day. Click here for more information.

Friday, Oct. 9: Fall $400 Challenge. Click here for more information. Only available for players at Keeneland, the Challenge will take place on the Paddock side of the third-floor Grandstand. Participants may register the day of the contest.

Saturday, Oct. 10: Jockey Autograph Signing Benefitting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in North Terrace. Click here for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 10: $3,500 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge/NHC Fall Handicapping Challenge. Click here for details and to register. The event will be held in the Dogwood Room in the new Paddock Building.

Sunday, Oct. 11: Kids Club Family Day Presented by Golisano Children’s at UK. Children’s activities will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the North Terrace. Click here for more information.

Friday, Oct. 16: College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Current full-time enrolled college students will enjoy an afternoon of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes racing experiences, reserved seating and more. Click here for more information.

Sunday, Oct. 18: Heroes Day. Keeneland will honor members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders, healthcare workers and their families with activities including a spectacular flag unfurling on the main track between races.Click here for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Teacher Appreciation Day. Teachers, educators and staff will receive free General Admission and access to Reserved Grandstand Seating. Click here for more information.

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Keeneland 2026 Fall Meet at a Glance

Schedule: 17 days from Oct. 2-24. No racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

Gates open: 11 a.m.    

First race: 1 p.m. 

Tickets must be purchased in advance: Visit Tickets.Keeneland.com. General Admission season passes are available until Thursday, Oct. 1.

What’s especially notable this season:

This is new: These areas at Keeneland are now cashless: all public dining rooms and The Keeneland Shop as well as roaming beverage vendors. They will accept credit and debit cards and mobile payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. 

Cash will continue to be accepted at the Track Kitchen, mutuel windows, concessions, bars and program stands. 

Fall Stars Weekend will be held for the 25^th year. Keeneland will run 11 stakes worth $6.35 million during the opening three days of the season. Eight Fall Stars stakes are part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In,” which will award the winners automatic starting positions and free entry into the 43^rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland on Oct. 30-31.

Keeneland is celebrating its 90^th birthday: Developed on property owned by John Oliver “Jack” Keene, the track opened Oct. 15, 1936 for nine days of racing that drew tremendous fanfare from Lexington and beyond. 

How to watch: Thanks to the Keeneland Livestream, fans can watch all races live and at no charge on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube channel. FanDuel TV will present extensive live coverage of every race. Oct. 2-4 Fall Stars Weekend stakes will be broadcast on NBC/NBCSN/Peacock. Second weekend races will be shown on Fox (FS1 and FS2).

Six Grade 1 stakes will be run during the season: the $650,000 Darley Alcibiades on Oct. 2; the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile, the $800,000 First Lady and the $650,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 3; the $650,000 Juddmonte Spinster on Oct. 4; and the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana on Oct. 10.

The Fall Meet ends Oct. 24. Keeneland will host the 43^rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships the following weekend, Oct. 30-31. Visit breederscup.com for more information.

Also for the Fall Meet:

Complimentary digital programs Powered by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF): Include Equibase past performances and are available for download at Keeneland.com/program.

Keeneland en Español: Visit Keeneland en Español and DRFenEspañol,com for information about Spanish coverage of the Fall Meet.

Keeneland Newsletter: Sign up for email updates of your areas of interest at Keeneland.com/newsletter.

Keeneland Race Day app: Your guide to handicapping and enjoying a day at Keeneland. New for the Fall Meet are wagering education and predictive odds information.

Keeneland Select: Wager online, watch livestream racing, earn lucrative rewards and support Keeneland’s mission to invest in Thoroughbred racing.

Morning workout videos of horses training at Keeneland: These are a complement to the resources available on the wagering section of Keeneland.com. The sortable database – made possible by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund – will be updated daily at Keeneland.com/workouts. 

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for description, availability and to purchase tickets.

Parking FAQ: Keeneland.com/racing/parking-frequently-asked-questions Click here for the grounds map with the parking options. 

Patron Experience Guide: Make the most of your day at the races and refer to the latest information about parking and entry at Keeneland.com/welcome.

Social: @keeneland on Facebook and Instagram and @keenelandracing on X. Use hashtag #Keeneland 

Tailgating on The Hill. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, the popular free tailgating area is accessible through via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland). No tickets or reservations are required for fans, who can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered. The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the last race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Keeneland Shop: Located near the South Entrance and the Information Center, The Keeneland Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes following the final race and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On race days, Milliners Corner, Wagering Central and Finish Line locations will be open until 30 minutes after the final race. 

 

Wagering Central and Finish Line locations will sell programs and Daily Racing Forms.

 

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop will feature Christine A. Moore Millinery (Oct. 2-4); book signing with Paul Halloran, author of Cody’s Wish: a Boy, a Racehorse and a Fight for Life (Oct. 8 and 10); Hat’s Off by Helen (Oct. 16); and Darren K. Moore Custom Jewelry (Oct. 23-24).

“Today at Keeneland:” a 30-minute live race-day preview show with handicapping picks and discussion of horses of interest. Racing analysts Gabby Gaudet, Keeneland’s Director of Communications, and Scott Hazelton will host the program, which begins at 11:30 a.m. and streams live on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Select, Keeneland’s YouTube channel, WKYT.comand FanDuel TV+. Also airs live on The CW Lexington.

Wagering: Keeneland.com/wagering The 10-cent Superfecta wager returns for the Fall Meet.

Website: Keeneland.com

What to wear? Visit Keeneland.com/racing/dress-codes