Last year at this time we noted that the week between the close of Keeneland’s spring meet and the rapidly approaching first Saturday in May is magical in Kentucky as thoughts turn to the Kentucky Derby, America’s greatest horse race, run continuously since 1875. This year might require a new adjective, given that when the horses break from the starting gate on that first Saturday in May, it will be the 150th iteration of the Run for the Roses. That, my friends, is staying power!
This week, the Rotary Club of Lexington continues its own long-standing Derby tradition by welcoming to the podium Keeneland Association President and Chief Executive Officer, Shannon Bishop Arvin. She is joined today by Tom Leach, a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award for radio coverage of thoroughbred racing.
Arvin is the eighth president of Keeneland Association and the first woman named to the position. She began practicing law in 2002 at the Lexington firm Stoll Keenon Ogden (SKO), where she represented Thoroughbred owners and industry organizations in Kentucky and around the world. As an SKO partner, in 2008, she began serving as corporate counsel to Keeneland, and she has been secretary and advisory member of Keeneland’s board of directors since 2015.
Arvin serves on the board of directors of the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Foundation and Stock Yards Bancorp, and is the Chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. She is a trustee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the Lexington School. She became a member of The Jockey Club in 2019 and a trustee of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation in 2021.
Tom Leach is the voice of the Kentucky Wildcats for football and basketball and a contributor to Keeneland.com as well. During race meets, check out Keeneland’s YouTube channel for his trainer and jockey interviews ahead of major stakes races and listen for his weekly podcast “In the Money” with Jim Goodman at keenelandselect.com.
Keeneland is unique in the racing industry. It began operations in 1936 and somehow manages to remain true to its motto of “racing as it was meant to be” while at the same time relentlessly pursuing change and improvement for the betterment of the industry, the horses, and the fans. Only at Keeneland are world-class racing and industry-leading sales united under one mission-driven entity. Profits from those endeavors are returned to the industry and the community through initiatives in the areas of racing purses, global market development, safety initiatives and thorough-bred aftercare, fan development and the local community. Keeneland has donated millions to local charities and to health and educational programs.
Welcome, Shannon and Tom!
Rotary in Review
ANNUAL DERBY PREP MEETING WITH SHANNON ARVIN AND TOM LEACH
Last week’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Lexington brought the energy of Derby Week straight to the club as members gathered for our always-anticipated Annual Derby Program.This year’s featured guests were Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland Association, and longtime Voice of the Wildcats and Keeneland handicapper, Tom Leach.
Shannon Arvin opened the program with a behind-the-scenes look at how Keeneland navigated a challenging start to the spring meet. Facing unseasonable weather, the team made the rare decision to shift opening day to Sunday. “It was not a decision that was made based on economics,” Arvin emphasized. “It was the right thing to do—for our patrons, our equine athletes, and our community.”
Arvin also shared exciting updates on Keeneland’s much-anticipated paddock building project, which blends historic limestone and new architectural features. “We were able to use about80% of the stone from the building we took down,” she said, preserving a deep connection to Keeneland’s legacy. One of the most memorable discoveries was a steel beam signed by founder Jack Keene—spelled “Keen”—dating back to the 1920s or ’30s. “We thought that was pretty cool,” Arvin said.
The presentation included a breakdown of Keeneland’s remarkable economic impact: a $1.6billion footprint across Lexington and surrounding counties, fifty-two countries represented at its sales, and tourism draws from all fifty U.S. states. “It’s not just owners and trainers—it’s everyone from feed growers to hoteliers,” Arvin noted. She also encouraged members to checkout Netflix’s new docuseries Race for the Crown, which she believes could help bring horseracing to a broader audience. “It introduces you to the characters of the sport,” she said. “I think it’s incredible.”
Then came Tom Leach with his annual Derby picks, backed by stories, stats, and a touch of humor. “If you think of the Derby like you think of March Madness,” he said, “this is a year for one of the one-seeds to win.” Leach highlighted Journalism, Sovereignty, and Burnham Square as his top contenders, citing their preparation, training, and past performances. “Journalism looks magnificent,” he noted, adding that the horse had to overcome a tough post and tactical adversity to win the Santa Anita Derby.
Leach didn’t miss the opportunity to entertain with anecdotes—like the rise of Sandman, aDerby contender partly owned by a TikTok influencer with 17 million followers. “That’s great for racing,” he quipped. “It’s bringing in a whole new crowd of fans.”
In his Kentucky Oaks picks, Leach leaned on La Cara and Take Charge Milady, both of whom impressed during the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. “Hopefully I gave you at least one winner,”he joked. “And if not—you’ve got 365 days to forget who I picked.”
Thank you to Shannon Arvin and Tom Leach for delivering another memorable Derby Program.Their shared knowledge, insight, and stories remind us why Lexington proudly holds the reins of Thoroughbred racing.
-Dan Koett
[Ed. Note: Credit where credit is due. Tom Leach had Sovereignty and Journalism in his topthree. In an excellent race over a sloppy track, Sovereignty edged out Journalism. Well done,Mr. Leach!]