Lacy Named Keeneland Vice President of Sales

Keeneland announced April 26 that internationally respected bloodstock adviser and consignor Tony Lacy will join the company as vice president of sales. Officials also announced that longtime director of sales operations Geoffrey Russell will retire from his full-time position after 25 years with Keeneland, but will remain in a consulting role through 2021.

"Tony possesses a well-rounded knowledge of the Thoroughbred industry, bolstered by valuable insight and a unique skill set gained from having worked on the ground in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East," Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. "He is an established presence globally and connects to a vast network of owners, trainers, consignors, and buyers. We are excited to welcome Tony to Keeneland, and look forward to his leadership as we prepare for the future."

Lacy brings a depth of racing and sales experience to his new position with Keeneland. In 2001, Lacy, along with Kerry Cauthen, helped establish Four Star Sales, eventually becoming a partner and developing the company into a leading North American consignor with a diverse client portfolio.

"We are very excited to announce that Four Star's own Tony Lacy has accepted the position of vice president of sales at Keeneland!" read an Instagram post April 26 from Four Star Sales. "Tony has been a rock star for Four Star Sales since it's inception. For almost 20 years he has been far more than one of our partners. His integrity, work ethic and friendship has been an important part of our shared story." 

"Tony has been far more to Four Star than just a partner," said Cauthen. "He was here at our inception and has been an incredible part of our team. He will be sorely missed but we're really excited for Keeneland and for all of us that he is the person they have selected to help move us forward. He's irreplaceable, but I think we feel like we need people like him—horsemen—who are in the front offices to help lead us. He understands where we all live." 

Since 2008, he has been the North American representative for the French Thoroughbred sales company Arqana. In that capacity, he has been involved in all aspects of the sales company, including the innovation of Arqana Online, and development of Arqana's brand in the U.S. via marketing strategies and promotions in various mediums and actions.

"I am extremely honored to be named vice president of sales for Keeneland," Lacy said. "Keeneland is a pillar of the global horse industry, and I have a high level of respect for Shannon, the team she is building and her vision for the future. I believe my background as a consignor and bloodstock adviser will allow me to understand the needs of our sales participants, continue to build on the best of our traditions and pursue innovations that will keep the company dynamic in a changing environment. Keeneland is an iconic brand, and we remain committed to protecting and growing its premier operations for the future health of the industry as a whole."

A fourth-generation horseman, Lacy began his career in his native Ireland as an assistant trainer to his father, T. F. "Tom" Lacy, a steeplechase jockey who came within a length of defeating the legendary Arkle in the 1964 Irish Grand National. Tony Lacy was a successful amateur jockey in Ireland for 11 years, competing on the flat and over the jumps against such riders as Aidan O'Brien and Willie Mullins.

Lacy further honed his racing expertise in Chantilly with trainers Emmanuel Chevalier Du Fau and Henri-Alex Pantall and was an assistant trainer for the Al Maktoum family with Erwan Charpy in Dubai. He gained valuable experience in U.S. sales and breeding through his work for the Greely family's Wintergreen Farm and while overseeing sales horses for noted 2-year-olds in training consignor Jerry Bailey in Ocala, Fla.

Throughout his career, Lacy has advised and managed a number of racing and breeding programs, purchasing such group stakes winners as Pista  and Nasheej  for clients at Keeneland. He most recently helped develop owner Scott Heider's boutique program into a dynamic stable in the U.S. and Europe. Heider bred recent Stonestreet Lexington (G3) winner King Fury  and has campaigned such graded/group winners as Mia Mischief , Thoughtfully , and Crossfirehurricane .

Reflecting his international background, Lacy has counseled and represented Emirates Racing and the Dubai World Cup in the U.S. He also advised the French Thoroughbred industry's marketing arm, the French Breeding and Racing Committee, as well as France Galop.

Lacy is the incoming president of the Thoroughbred Club of America and will be the first foreign-born president in the organization's 89-year history. He also serves on the board of New Vocations.