Standing at the rail at several points over the last three days of the fall meet, and walking the grounds of Keeneland as I so often did when I lived in Kentucky, it struck me more than ever how the races there attract all generations. Two moments in particular that stood out to illustrate that. One was when a young girl and her mother were waiting near me for a race to begin. The daughter asked the name of the horse in that race they had picked. The mom replied, “Sugar Bell.” The daughter said she liked that name, and the mom answered, “Me too.” It was a simple exchange but it meant so much at the same time – two generations sharing the love of racing at a showcase racetrack, and that all of us present were there in the late fall sunshine and warm temperatures to soak it all in. It meant so much that I got to return and experience it all again.

The other moment that resonated the most of multiple generations experiencing a day at the races in this pastoral setting was when the annual tradition of the Headless Horseman saw a rider on a black horse go past the crowds gathered at the rail between races. A baby, likely less than a year old, looked to the horse going by and after a few moments patted her head as she looked at her mom. It was an adorable moment of her trying to express that she noticed the rider’s head was not visible.

During the three days I had at Keeneland, as I looked around the track and at the framework of the new structure overlooking the paddock, I could see how it too would be in keeping with the timeless appeal of the track and closer to completion be decorated with stones to have it blend in with the other Keeneland structures on the track side to look like it had always been there. That is one of many things I have always appreciated about Keeneland – that even when it embraces innovations or changes the layout of the area around the track for patrons, it still retains its charm.

When the races wrapped up and I went to the airport to go home, I paused before getting on the plane to soak in one last moment of Keeneland appreciation until the next time I returned, looking at the advertisement on the wall that did highlight its motto “for the love of the horse… for generations to come,” with that foundation set by the families that come like the mother and her daughter that picked Sugar Bell, and with the new structure being built, but yes of course most of all for that love of the horse that even meant a name like Sugar Bell created a momentary affection.

When the plane I was on rose over the airport, Keeneland suddenly appeared beneath us. It was quiet. The races had concluded until April, and it was lovely in the quiet hush of gathering twilight. I was grateful to have one more glimpse of those grounds I love. I was grateful I got to return, and grateful they have that commitment to racing for generations to come. It will endure, and I will be back. Someday.

A few more photos from my time at the fall meet:

Since I still get revenue from Authentic’s stud fees as part of the deal Spendthrift Farm worked out with MyRacehorse investors in the Derby winner, I included the first of his progeny I got to see race. They competed against one another in a maiden race for two-year-olds on October 25.