Latest news with #Keeneland
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gabby Gaudet Named Keeneland's Director Of Communications
Gabby Gaudet Named Keeneland's Director Of Communications originally appeared on Paulick Report. Keeneland has announced the appointment of Gabby Gaudet as its Director of Communications. A respected voice in Thoroughbred racing with more than a decade of national media experience, Gaudet will oversee Keeneland's strategic communications efforts. In this role, she will serve as a key spokesperson and guide the organization's messaging and earned media strategy across multiple joins Keeneland from FanDuel TV, where she has been a lead racing analyst and reporter since 2019, covering premier events such as the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Her international assignments have included racing coverage from Hong Kong, Canada and Royal Ascot in England. In her new role, Gaudet will spearhead Keeneland's comprehensive communications strategy, ensuring alignment with racing, sales and brand initiatives in support of the organization's mission. Drawing on her journalistic background, on-air experience and deep industry knowledge, she will shape how Keeneland connects with fans, media and the broader racing community. From media engagement to brand storytelling, Gaudet will play a key role in advancing Keeneland's mission and elevating its presence across platforms.'I'm incredibly proud and excited to begin this next chapter of my career at Keeneland – a place I deeply believe in,' Gaudet said. 'This role presents an opportunity to think both creatively and strategically as we continue to share Keeneland's story with intention and impact. I'm so grateful to my FanDuel TV family for the experiences and growth I've had there – they helped shape me as a broadcaster and storyteller, preparing me well for this next chapter. This was not an easy decision, but what ultimately guided me was the chance to be more present with my family while continuing to do work I'm passionate about.' Gaudet has a long-standing relationship with Keeneland, having served in multiple capacities including Paddock Analyst, co-host of 'Today at Keeneland' and a U.S. sales representative. She also became the first female to announce at a public Thoroughbred auction at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale in 2020. Her deep familiarity with the organization, combined with her skills as a journalist, storyteller and communicator, uniquely position her to lead Keeneland's communications.'Gabby has been an important part of our team for several years, bringing energy, professionalism and a deep understanding of our sport to everything she does,' Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. 'She's earned the respect of our staff, horsemen and fans alike, and we're excited to see her take on this leadership role and help shape how we share Keeneland's story with the world.''Gabby has been an integral part of the network for over six years, and she will be deeply missed by both her colleagues and the FanDuel TV audience,' said Becky Somerville, Senior Director of Production, FanDuel TV. 'Her unmatched enthusiasm, work ethic and professionalism have made her an invaluable asset to our programming. While we are sad to see her go, we're excited to continue working with her in her new role with our long-standing partners at Keeneland.' Gaudet will continue her on-air role as co-host of 'Today at Keeneland' alongside Scott Hazelton and will contribute to the enhancement of live coverage and content during Keeneland's Spring and Fall race meets.A 2013 graduate of Towson University with a degree in Mass Communication, Gaudet began her career with the Maryland Jockey Club before holding roles at Arlington Park, Gulfstream Park, NYRA and TVG (now FanDuel TV). In addition to her on-air roles, she worked as a writer for The Saratoga Special, further honing her skills in racing journalism and storytelling. She also serves on the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the advisory board of the Safety Net Foundation, which provides financial assistance to individuals in need within the racing resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, trainer Norm Casse, and their two sons. She hails from a prominent racing family – her parents, Linda and the late Eddie Gaudet, were respected trainers in the Mid-Atlantic region, and her sister, Lacey Gaudet, continues the family tradition as a her role at Keeneland, Gaudet will be supported by a seasoned communications team that includes Dara Allen, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications; Meredith Daugherty, Communications Manager; and Amy Owens, Communications Associate. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Allan Kehoe aiming high with exciting youngster Shaggy in the spring
Trainer Allan Kehoe is confident stable star Shaggy is ready to make the transition from one-time Golden Slipper wildcard to bona fide spring stakes contender when he returns at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Kehoe is eager to aim high with his lightly-raced talent, which impressively won three of his four starts during a memorable debut preparation during the autumn. At one stage he was on the second line of betting for the Slipper despite not being nominated for the two-year-old main event. Kehoe would have given serious consideration to paying the Slipper late entry had Shaggy won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes but eventually sent him for a spell when the gelding finished fifth in the lead-up event. Shaggy will be back at the races in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2YO Handicap (1100m). 'He looks like a bull now,' Kehoe said. 'He didn't grow much in height but he put on 20-25kg. 'It's really noticeable. He is really chunky, he's a big boy. 'He didn't grow any higher, just wider and he feels so much stronger underneath you.' Zoinks! Shaggy leads all the way to win the Pierro Plate and races into TAB Golden Slipper contention for Allan Kehoe! @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025 A three-start stakes run will be on the agenda if he can run well in his return, starting with the Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 16. It will be followed by starts in Group 3 $250,000 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 30 and Group 2 $300,000 Run To The Rose (1200m) on September 13 at the same venue. 'If he performs really well in those and holds his own, he will go back to the water walker or something and come back and look to Melbourne at the Coolmore,' Kehoe said. 'We won't go down a Golden Rose path with him or anything at this stage, we will keep him over the short trips.' Shaggy was given the top weight of 60.5kg in his return but Kehoe will make the most of apprentice William Stanley 's 3kg claim. The son of Sandbar has trialled up well in the lead-up, winning his most recent effort over 800m on the Beaumont track at Newcastle, and has continued to impress around the stable. 'He is ready to go,' Kehoe said. 'We just do short sharp stuff with him but he's a very easy horse to train. 'He is keen to get out there, of an afternoon you would think he still a colt because he ends up on his back heels and legs flying everywhere. 'He is very happy and well and you would think it's the middle of summer with his coat.'
Winnipeg Free Press
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse earns 4,000th career victory
NEW KENT COUNTY, VIRGINIA – Mark Casse has his 4,000th career racing win. Casse, a Hall of Fame trainer in both Canada and the United States, achieved the milestone Thursday when It's Witchcraft prevailed to win the 11th race at Colonial Downs. Casse had been sitting at 3,999 wins since Sunday when his horses won three races at Woodbine Racetrack. It's Witchcraft was one of three horses Casse had entered for Thursday but the three-year-old filly got the job done by a nose in a photo finish. 'That's a lot of wins but I joke that it means I've lost a lot of races, too,' Casse said. 'For someone like me, who has spent my entire life (in racing) … this is the cherry on top.' Casse has been inducted into both the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (2016) and National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (2020). The 64-year-old native of Indianapolis has been named Canada's top trainer a record 16 times. He has won the $1-million King's Plate — Canada's most prestigious thoroughbred race and the opening jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown — three times. Casse earned his first win with Joe's Coming in a Keeneland claiming race April 14, 1979. He has earned over $260.4 million since then. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse earns 4,000th career victory
NEW KENT COUNTY, VIRGINIA - Mark Casse has his 4,000th career racing win. Casse, a Hall of Fame trainer in both Canada and the United States, achieved the milestone Thursday when It's Witchcraft prevailed to win the 11th race at Colonial Downs. Casse had been sitting at 3,999 wins since Sunday when his horses won three races at Woodbine Racetrack. It's Witchcraft was one of three horses Casse had entered for Thursday but the three-year-old filly got the job done by a nose in a photo finish. 'That's a lot of wins but I joke that it means I've lost a lot of races, too,' Casse said. 'For someone like me, who has spent my entire life (in racing) … this is the cherry on top.' Casse has been inducted into both the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (2016) and National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (2020). The 64-year-old native of Indianapolis has been named Canada's top trainer a record 16 times. He has won the $1-million King's Plate — Canada's most prestigious thoroughbred race and the opening jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown — three times. Casse earned his first win with Joe's Coming in a Keeneland claiming race April 14, 1979. He has earned over $260.4 million since then. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
UPI
02-07-2025
- Sport
- UPI
Belmont, Iowa, Indiana derbies mark July Fourth weekend horse racing
Nitrogen, shown winning the Appalachian Stakes during Keeneland's spring meeting, looks like a likely candidate in Saturday's Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational at Saratoga. Photo courtesy of Keeneland July 2 (UPI) -- What could be more festive on the July Fourth holiday than the Belmont Derby Invitational at Saratoga, the Indiana Derby and the Iowa Derby? Okay. The "Derby" is an American adaptation of the British invention. But it has been adapted quite successfully, and those races and others promise a happy Independence Day weekend. Back over the Atlantic, the main attractions are Saturday's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the Prix Jean Prat in France and the Deutsches Derby. With a lot on the barbecue and attention likely to wander later in the week, here's an abbreviated look at what's on offer. Saratoga Weekend activity at the Spa centers on Friday's $750,000 Grade III Belmont Derby Invitational and Saturday's $500,000 Trade I Belmont Oaks Invitational. There's plenty of quality and a tiny bit of international intrigue without entries from Godolphin. In the Derby field, Charlie Fellowes brings Luther from England after finishing fourth in the French Guineas and well up the track in the Prix du Jockey Club or French Derby. New Century has bounced back and forth across the Atlantic and now is with trainer Brendan Walsh. He was a good third in the Grade I American Turf on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. The locals don't look overpowering. The Oaks is an all-American affair with Nitrogen the standout. The Medaglia d'Oro filly rides a five-race win streak. May Day Ready wasn't ready for Grade 1 competition in Japan in December and didn't handle an off-the-turf assignment in her stateside return. Maybe now? Also on Friday's Saratoga slate are the $400,000 Grade II Suburban at 1 1/4 miles on the main track; the 200,000 Grade III Manila for 3-year-olds at 1 mile on the turf'; the $150,000 Harvey Pack at 5 1/2 furlongs on the lawn and the $150,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs on the dirt. Saturday's undercard has the $175,000 Grade III Kelso at 1 mile on the grass and the $175,000 Grade III Sanford for 2-year-olds. Elsewhere, by division: Filly & Mare Turf Saturday's $250,000 Grade III Robert G. Dick at Delaware Park finds Spanish eyes making her second U.S. start after an earlier career in Germany that included a second in the Group 1 German Oaks. Malibu Beauty looks like the main rival. Turf Sprint Sunday's $150,000 Pea Patch for 3-year-old fillies at Ellis Park is notable for its name more than its field. In the past, the infield at the Western Kentucky track literally was used to grow soybeans. Classic Saturday's $300,000 Grade III Prairie Meadows Cornhusker, once the crown jewel at Omaha's Ak-Sar-Ben racecourse, still attracts star-quality performers to its current Iowa home, including 2024 winner Red Route One. The 3-year-old wars continue Saturday with the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows and $300,000 Grade III Iowa Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Distaff Accompanying the derbies are Saturday's $225,000 Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows and $200,000 Grade III Indiana Oaks. Filly & Mare Sprint The action here is Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Great Lady M at Los Alamitos and $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III Hendrie on the Woodbine all-weather. Juvenile / Juvenile Fillies Friday's $100,000 Prairie Gold Lassie and Saturday's $100,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile at Prairie Meadows may be worth a look. Around the world, around the clock England While taking a pass on the Saratoga Fourth of July festival, Godolphin and jockey William Buick have the early favorite, Ombudsman, in Saturday's Group 1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. The 4-year-old Night of Thunder colt, trained by John and Thady Gosden, exits a victory in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, and his only career defeat was a second behind Almaqam in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard in his seasonal debut. That one is back, but rated a long shot to repeat the upset. Sosie, Camille Pissarro and Delacroix, on the other hand, are among the clear and present dangers in a deep, excellent field. Seven are entered for Saturday's Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park, with once-defeated Estrange the odds-on early pick. Another by Night of Thunder, she won her 3-year-old debut by 4 1/2 lengths over the same course for trainer David O'Meara and owner Cheveley Park Stud. France Sunday's Group 1 Jean Prat has 3-year-olds going 1,400 meters at Deauville. Germany Sunday's Group 1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg is 1 1/2 miles for 3-year-old colts and fillies.
