Keeneland Closes Record-Breaking Fall Meet

[Wandering Eyes]

Saturday marked the final day of Keeneland's 2024 Fall Meet which saw a season-record all-sources wagering total of $210 million boosted by record purse money that attracted full fields featuring the nation's top trainers, jockeys and horses.

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione earned the leading rider title, his eighth overall, with 24 total wins while trainer Brad Cox led all trainers with 14 wins including a record six stakes wins during the meet. Godolphin was the meet's leading owner with four wins.

“The Fall Meet was exceptional,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “The class and quality of the horses and riders competing here are truly special, and we appreciate the tremendous support from our owners and trainers who make the choice to race with us. Blue skies and sunshine on each and every race day added to the atmosphere, showcasing all that is special about the Bluegrass. We thank our horsemen and our fans for their loyal support and are excited to share the new Paddock Building with everyone this time next year.”

All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) this fall totaled a record $210,165,945, besting the previous record of $208,907,655 set during the 2022 Fall Meet and marking an increase of 4.06% over last fall's $201,966,111.

All-sources wagering for opening Fall Stars Weekend, Oct. 4-6, was $49.5 million, just shy of the record $49.9 million handled during the 2022 Fall Stars Weekend. Wagering on opening Saturday's 11-race card, headlined by five graded stakes, was $22,356,693 which set a single-day Fall Meet record.

Additionally, the Pick 5 pool broke Keeneland records twice during the Fall Meet: Wednesday, Oct. 9, when the early Pick 5 pool of $2,427,483 bested the previous Keeneland record of $1,696,981 set on Toyota Blue Grass Day during the 2024 Spring Meet and again Wednesday, Oct. 23 when the late Pick 5 pool of $2,801,055 established both a Keeneland record and a national record for a Wednesday Pick 5, exceeding the $2,549,098 handled at Del Mar on Aug. 15, 2012. The Pick 5 carryover going into Oct. 23 also was a record $301,895.

On-track wagering of $16,597,162 increased 2.01% from last year's $16,270,885.

“The racing this Fall was just phenomenal really,” added Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell. “It all starts with the quality stock that our horsemen bring to race here. The world's best owners, trainers and jockeys competing day in and day out under beautiful skies makes for a fantastic product that we are privileged to help showcase to our loyal fans and horseplayers alike. A big thank you to each of them and all those behind the scenes who have worked so hard to make this Fall Meet one to remember and celebrate.”

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