The hope is that by this time next year Keeneland’s Paddock Building will be open for visitors. Work on the $94 million project continues during racing and auctioning activities.
In fact, the schedule calls for some 14 hundred additional seats including a fine dining area to be available for next October’s Fall Meet. The use of stone and arched windows in the new building will aim to blend the new with the existing, seamlessly. Keeneland Vice President-Chief Marketing Officer Christa Marrillia said the project is in line with a broader goal.
“Looking back to our mission. Why we are here…to grow the sport…to conduct these world-class events and attract new fans we realized we needed to grow and meet that demand,” said Marrillia.
In addition to horse racing tracks, Marrillia said Keeneland staff visited other sports venues to see what’s being done to enhance the patron experience.
The historic Lexington track has hosted two Breeders Cup World Championships. To see a third such event at Keeneland, Marrillia said the new structure may not be needed, but it wouldn’t hurt. Marrillia said the community did an excellent job hosting the Breeders Cup, which makes it a desirable location.
“I think from an operations standpoint the addition of the Paddock Building alleviates some of the need for the temporary structures that the Breeders Cup erects for these…for the World Championships..so that certainly would be very appealing to them,” said Marrillia.
The 2025 Breeders Cup event is scheduled to return to Del Mar California. Marrillia said there has not been a site selected beyond next year. So, no decisions have been made regarding 2026. The construction project at Keeneland also includes new offices for staff members.
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