Kentucky Oaks and Derby prep races headline Keeneland Opening Weekend

The Keeneland Spring Meet heralds the arrival of Spring in the Bluegrass each year. This April, Keeneland debuted its new Paddock Building, featuring elevated seating and dining options with a classic Keeneland feel. The addition of these new spaces added to the excitement of a major year at Keeneland, which will culminate in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships this fall.

Spendthrift Farm‘s Further Ado stamped himself an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby with a thrilling victory in the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday, April 4. Further Ado sat just off the pace under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. before kicking clear in the stretch to win by eleven lengths. The son of Three Chimneys Farm stallion Gun Runner earned 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, solidifying his spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.

The G1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes, a points race for the Kentucky Oaks, headlined the Opening Day card at Keeneland. The Ben Colebrook-trained Percy’s Bar made her first start of the year a winning one, with a definitive victory over the heavily favored Zany. Percy’s Bar was bred and raised at Airdrie Stud in Midway, and is a daughter of Airdrie stallion Upstart. The filly earned 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks with her victory in the Ashland Stakes.

Along with prep races for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby, top horses from across the country competed in graded stakes races for a variety of divisions.

Stonestreet Stables homebred Eclatant fought for a gritty victory in the G1 Resolute Racing Madison Stakes, stamping herself as a leader among older fillies and mares. Eclatant is a daughter of Into Mischief, one of the country’s leading stallions, who stands at Spendthrift Farm.

My Boy Prince added to an exciting weekend for the Airdrie Stud stallion roster when the son of Cairo Prince powered home to win the G2 Valvoline Global Shakertown Stakes on the turf.

Storm’s Wake became the newest graded stakes winner for Mill Ridge Farm stallion Oscar Performance, with her victory in the G2 Appalachian Stakes by a neck over Imaginationthelady and Lion Lake (IRE).

The Keeneland Spring Meet continues through Friday, April 24, with racing daily (excluding Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday). All guests who purchase a ticket for a Horse Country tour in April will receive free general admission tickets to Keeneland – the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ultimate day in Kentucky’s Horse Country, with a farm tour and racing at Keeneland!

Experience Keeneland in a unique way through a variety of tours that offer an insider’s look at this National Historic Landmark. The Keeneland Owner’s Experience takes guests through the paddock, winner’s circle and trackside, to experience how a racehorse owner would spend a day at the races. The Morning Works Tour, Backstretch Tour and Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tour all elevate a morning at Keeneland, with expert tour guides providing insight on how racehorses are trained, and why Keeneland is an institution unlike any other.

This Spring, Keeneland debuted the newest addition to the property, the Paddock Building. These new spaces combine the elegance and tradition of Keeneland with modern dining options and incredible raceday views. Tickets are available in the new 1936 Room, which offers a paddock lawn in addition to indoor spaces, the Sycamore Room, Dogwood Room, Ivy Room, and Rooftop, a premium dining space and outdoor terrace bar.