Gaudet Makes History as First Female Sales Announcer

The view from the Keeneland sales podium was seen from a new pair of eyes Jan. 15 during the January Horses of All Ages Sale—specifically, those of Gabby Gaudet, who made history as the first woman to take a leading announcer role for a major North American Thoroughbred auction. 

"I was incredibly nervous," said Gaudet, who works primarily in front of the camera as a racing analyst and reporter for TVG. "It's completely different and a completely different skill set. This is, in my opinion, nothing like being on television. There is a little more added pressure because we're a sales company and we want to sell these horses and do a good job for the consignors who work so hard as well. With TV, I'm obviously representing the company I work for with TVG, but here, you're representing the sales company and the consignors, so we try to do a really good job.

"I know the type of show that Keeneland puts out. This is the best auction team in the world, so that put a lot of added pressure on everything. I want to do my Keeneland family proud, but at the same time this is a world-class auction team. I'm very happy that we got one underneath the belt." 

The timbre of her voice might have been softer than many auction goers are accustomed to, but Gaudet never wavered in her two shifts at the microphone, employing her elocution skills with aplomb. 

"It's a proud day for us because to have the first female to work a major Thoroughbred auction in North America is something Keeneland was very interested in," Keeneland vice president of racing and sales Bob Elliston said. "We want to bring opportunities for all people in our workforce, and to bring a talent like Gabby, who has already demonstrated what she's capable of, it's a very special day." 

The idea to send the popular analyst to the podium was first suggested following the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale, when Gaudet said she was approached by veteran Keeneland auction team member Kurt Becker, who doubles as Keeneland's track announcer.  

"Kurt asked if it would be something I would be interested in," Gaudet said. "It was never really something I had thought about or considered. He said, 'We're familiar with you, obviously, working the Keeneland simulcast, and I think you would fit into the Keeneland auction team.' One thing led to another, and we communicated back and forth and decided that for this sale, I would do two different sets of hips on Wednesday." 

With the date and time set for her debut, Gaudet said the pressure was on to make sure she was never out of step with the team that operates the world's largest Thoroughbred auction house. 

"It's different types of preparation," Gaudet said. "I really want to give a lot of credit to this auction team because they have taken me in and helped me so much the past couple of days. We did a couple of dry rehearsals during the off hours of the sale, and everyone gave me pointers. 

"The first point in preparation was about being around the auction team and being able to observe and see how they do their job. The second point was that you really want to keep up to date with recent winners, maiden winners, stakes winners, and updates, so I did my research there and I tried to connect the dots with the pedigree page."  

The most challenging part, Gaudet said, was learning how to keep her composure while being bombarded by new information on the stand. 

"You have a lot of papers you're fiddling around with, and sometimes there are late outs or late updates, and there is a lot of information that you can't always prepare for ahead of time," she said. "That was the most nerve-wracking. It's an orchestra. We're dancing dances up there, and you have to be quick and concise and have energy."  

"I would say at its core why I think she's done so well is that she's very capable, but she's also passionate about horse racing and breeding," said Elliston, who praised Gaudet's breadth of knowledge about the industry as a whole. "She knows the subject matter, so I'm not shocked that she was great. 

"I'm aware of prominent national Thoroughbred folks who have been on TV a lot who have tried it and couldn't do it. It gives you a shot to be good at it, but you have to be as capable as she is when you're up there and really know the subject matter. She did it, and it's a great day for us here at Keeneland." 

When the patrons left the pavilion as the final horse left the ring, the flood of support for Gaudet—both online and inside the auction house—resounded like the fall of the final hammer. Confident she had done her job well, Gaudet said the enormity of the moment is one she won't soon forget and hopes to repeat in the spring when Keeneland hosts the April 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale.  

"Obviously, I'm very proud," Gaudet said. "I'm also very grateful for the people at Keeneland, Bill Thomason and Bob Elliston, who hit the 'yes' button and let me have the opportunity to do this once the idea was conceived by Kurt Becker. I'm incredibly proud. It was a lot of fun."