Kentucky

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has hired Alex Foley as its executive director. 

Rich Strike, the 80-1 upset winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, has been retired, owner Rick Dawson announced Nov. 9.

Longtime Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association executive director Marty Maline will be honored by the Kentucky Thorougbhred Owners with the 2023 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horsemen of the Year Award.

The first session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale was highlighted by a son of Justify, realizing $500,000 from agent Gavin O'Connor purchasing for John Stewart. Trade on Oct. 23 saw 10 individuals sell for $200,000 or more.

The Kentucky Horse Park held a memorial service last week for one of its most famous residents, Funny Cide, who passed away on July 16, 2023, at the age of 23.

Kentucky Derby Museum set an all-time attendance record with a quarter of a million guests in the fiscal year 2023, which ran from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 1,605 yearlings for its Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, to be held Oct. 23-26 in Lexington. The four consecutive sessions, conducted Monday-Thursday, will begin each day at 10 a.m. ET.

At a committee meeting Sept. 28, Kentucky lawmakers heard about progress in racing and breeding in the state from representatives of leading industry organizations.

During the quarterly Kentucky Derby Museum Board meeting Sept. 15, 2023, four new board members and a new board chair were unanimously approved.

The key indicators to measure the success of a race meet were either up or maintained a lofty level at the meet at Kentucky Downs that came to a close Sept. 13. Purses and handle were both up.