JOHN KEIT, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Breeders’ Cup. (Courtesy, Breeders’ Cup Limited and Eclipse Sportswire)
By Isabella Sepahban
Woodford Sun Equine Intern
The upcoming 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships are set for Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course, marking the fourth time the championships have been held in Central Kentucky.
With an increase in Thoroughbred fans and horsemen visiting from across the globe, Woodford County and surrounding communities are expected to see an increase in economic impact.
According to John Keitt, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Breeders’ Cup, the economic impact was approximately $86 million when it was held at Keeneland in 2022. This year, he said the economic impact is expected to be close to $100 million.
Keitt said although he expects this year’s Breeders’ Cup to be big, he also wants to make sure it is a smooth experience for all those involved and attending.
“It’s a huge event, and we try and make it as attractive, but also as seamless, as possible to get people to be able to come and just focus on having fun at the Breeders’ Cup,” he said.
According to Keitt, thousands of people from out of state are expected to visit. Because of this, he said it is important to make sure all preparations have been adequately made.
“We reserve literally thousands of nights of hotel rooms, taking over a lot of the hotels in Lexington mostly,” Keitt said. “We make sure we have those so that all these people who travel from outside of Kentucky will have places to stay.”
Keitt said he is excited for incoming visitors to get to experience the beauty of Woodford County’s environment and community.
“Woodford County has some of the very best, most well-respected and absolutely beautiful stallion farms,” Keitt said. “You’re in the absolute heart of the Thoroughbred industry globally.”
Keitt said he looks forward to what is to come in the next few days as the Breeders’ Cup approaches.
“I think it’s just going to be an amazing race. The experience itself, both at the track and around the community, is going to be one of the top you could ever hear about and experience,” Keitt said. “We’re looking forward to showing off Lexington, but also creating this wonderful experience, and the racing is what’s the most important part of it, and it’s going to be fantastic.”
Emily Downey, director of Visit Woodford and president and CEO of the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce, said there has always been a “huge influx” of visitors during past Breeders’ Cups hosted at Keeneland.
Downey noted the increase in visitors from out of state and other countries, saying there is at least one visitor from every state that comes to attend the Breeders’ Cup.
According to Downey, many of the local businesses in Woodford County and surrounding areas are expected to see an increase in customers, saying that even hair salons have an increase from visitors coming in to get their hair done for the Breeders’ Cup.
“Our hotel rooms are sold out, our Airbnbs are sold out and have been for months,” Downey said. “Our horse farms are doing tours, and that’s an influx there.”
Downey said she expects this year’s Breeders’ Cup to be especially popular.
“It’s gonna be huge. Keeneland has done a great job. It is obviously a place that now people have come to, having hosted a couple of years,” Downey said. “They know the Lexington, Kentucky, area . . . and now they are coming back, not only for the Breeders’ Cup, but due to the love for our place of home, they’re coming to experience it again.”
Outside of the Breeders’ Cup itself, Downey said she is excited to showcase Woodford County to incoming visitors.
According to Downey, by visiting and supporting local businesses in the area during the Breeders’ Cup, Woodford County’s economy gets a boost.
“We love it, and we know it’s the greatest place on earth, but getting to share it with other people who come– there’s a real sense of experience that people are yearning for, and small-town charm is certainly it,” Downey said.
Mike Hering, a manager at Midway restaurant Don Jockey, said he expects to have 20 percent more customers from out of state than normal during Breeders’ Cup week and is looking forward to meeting new patrons.
“That’s probably the most exciting part of my day, is being able to interact with everybody and be able to entertain and get to know and create new friendships and relationships,” Hering said. “There’s nothing to me that’s more important.”
According to Hering, creating a welcoming environment is important when it comes to maintaining positive relationships with all who come through Don Jockey’s doors during the Breeders’ Cup season.
“I hope that we get to create that relationship and that we get to see them on their next visit to Midway or Woodford County and maintain those communications and positivity,” Hering said.
For Hering, it is important to ensure that visitors do not just have a good time at this year’s Breeders’ Cup, but want to come back for more.
Isabella Sepahban is a University of Kentucky School of Journalism senior with a focus on narrative multimedia storytelling.