Keeneland to Offer Digital Inspections for September

Keeneland is planning to offer video support to buyers and sellers for its September Yearling Sale, including "digital inspections" for horses entered in Books 1 and 2 of the auction that begins Sept. 14 and runs through Sept. 26.

"Keeneland's award-winning broadcast services team will coordinate 'digital inspections' for all Book 1 and Book 2 yearlings as an enhanced service to our breeders and consignors," Bob Elliston, vice president of racing and sales, said in one of Keeneland's regular sales and racing updates sent via email to customers. "These professionally produced videos will also enable remote buyers to access quality video representations of yearlings on offer.

"Footage will be captured at the farms during the yearling preparation period, as we work closely with every seller to deliver a consistent and quality presentation for your yearlings," the message continued. "These assets will be accessible online for prospective buyers, particularly those whose attendance at the sale may be compromised by limitations due to COVID-19."

Book 1 consists of yearlings cataloged for the first three sessions, Sept. 14-16. Following a dark day, Thursday, Sept. 17, the auction continues with Book 2 Sept. 18-19. 

For those horses cataloged for the remaining Books 3-6, Keeneland broadcast services will provide support to consignors and owners "who wish to record videos or capture photos of yearlings independently," Elliston said. "Keeneland will contact you as we confirm yearling placement in sales catalogs. We are steadfast in our commitment to buyers and sellers, and are leveraging every asset at Keeneland to provide the best-in-class sales experience you are accustomed to with Keeneland auctions—even in a changing selling environment."

On the racing front, Keeneland, which canceled its spring race meet and April 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale due to the novel coronavirus, said it is working with government, health and racing officials "on the finalization of plans to safely conduct a brief summer race meeting at Keeneland. Keeneland continues to work with all Kentucky race tracks and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to find a window on the racing calendar to run a few of the lost days from the spring."

Also, Keeneland is working on "expansion of mainside stabling allocations for horsemen who are typically resident during the summer, which will likely permit another 300 horses to stable at Keeneland until Aug. 1."