Apr 30 – Gabby Gaudet, Keeneland’s Communications Director with Tom Leach, Voice of the Wildcats and Expert Handicapper

As April slowly meanders into Spring, we find ourselves in what is arguably the high season in Kentucky. The charm and gentility of the Keeneland Spring meet morphs into the pomp and circumstance of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks. Both are instrumental to Kentucky’s claim of being the “horse capital of the world.

Today Rotarians are privileged to hear about both, from two individuals who, as they say, should know: Gabby Gaudet, Keeneland’s, Director of Communications, and respected broadcaster Tom Leach.

A respected voice in Thoroughbred racing with more than a decade of national media experience, Gaudet, who joined Keeneland in 2025, oversees Keeneland’s strategic communications efforts. In this role, she serves as a key spokesperson and guides the organization’s messaging and earned media strategy across multiple platforms.

Gaudet joined Keeneland from FanDuel TV, where she was a lead racing analyst and reporter covering premier events such as the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Her international assignments have included racing coverage from Hong Kong, Canada and Royal Ascot in England.

A 2013 graduate of Towson University with a degree in Mass Communication, Gaudet began her career with the Maryland Jockey Club before holding roles at Arlington Park, Gulfstream Park, NYRA and TVG (now FanDuel TV). In addition to her on-air roles, she worked as a writer for The Saratoga Special, further honing her skills in racing journalism and storytelling. She also serves on the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the advisory board of the Safety Net Foundation, which provides financial assistance to individuals in need within the racing industry.

Gaudet resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, trainer Norm Casse, and their two sons. She hails from a prominent racing family – her parents, Linda and the late Eddie Gaudet, were respected trainers in the Mid-Atlantic region, and her sister, Lacey Gaudet, continues the family tradition as a trainer.

Tom began his work on the UK Radio Network in 1989 as host of the postgame scoreboard and call-in shows. Eight years later, he was named the play-by-play voice for Kentucky football and he added the basketball responsibilities in 2001.  Tom has been at the mic for many memorable moments for UK sports, including the 2012 national championship for the Kentucky basketball team and the call of the 2019 Citrus Bowl win over Penn State, which marked the first 10-win season for UK football in more than 40 years.  Tom has worked four Final Fours with the Wildcats and 13 bowl games.

Another Bluegrass tradition is part of Tom’s broadcasting resume–thoroughbred racing. Tom is a two-time winner of the prestigious Eclipse Award for excellence in coverage of the sport and he covers racing throughout the year through his association with Keeneland.  He has also worked as a reporter on the Westwood One/NBC Sports national radio broadcasts of the Triple Crown races.

Tom is a 6-time winner of the Sportscaster of the Year award for Kentucky from the National Sports Media Association.  Others honors including being named a Distinguished Alumnus by the journalism school at the University of Kentucky and winning the Tom Hammond Media Award from the Bluegrass Sports Commission, for career achievement.  He is also a member of the 10th Region Hall of Fame as a contributor, for his high school play-by-play work with the Bourbon County Colonels and Paris Greyhounds.

Tom is married to Robyn Rabbeth, a former anchor for WLEX-TV.  They have two children–Connor and Caroline.

Rotary in Review

“. . . AND THEY’RE OFF!”

A relatively new resident of the Lexington thoroughbred racing scene and a veteran of Kentucky sports broadcasting and handicapping spoke to a packed house at Rotary on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Gabby Gaudet joined Keeneland in September 2025 as Director of Communications, bringing a wealth of handicapping and reporting experience from national and international horse racing, including coverage over the years of Keeneland. Aided by slides, Gaudet described and depicted the changes to Keeneland from over the past year, including the Saddling Stalls and the Stakes Winner’s Circle which debuted during the Fall 2025 meet. New for the 2026 Spring meet is the Paddock Building, which includes four unique seating and dining areas along with a rooftop bar. In the 1936 Room (commemorating the year Keeneland opened for racing), guests can enjoy an up-close view as jockeys pass through the room on their way to the Saddling Paddock before each race.

Gaudet also celebrated Keeneland’s ever-improving horse sales, including the record $531 million dollar September 2025 sale, which is the highest grossing thoroughbred auction in history, helping to drive total 2025 sales of $836 million. Gaudet noted that these sales brought in new buyers, unique buyers, and international buyers, which testifies to Keeneland’s growing reputation for quality horses. Indeed, twenty-four Kentucky Derby winners have been horses bought at Keeneland sales. Eight of this year’s Oaks contestants and twelve of the Derby horses were Keeneland sales grads.

Leach joined Gaudet for what brought many of the overflow crowd—listening to the experts handicap the Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. As for the former, Leach liked Always A Runner, slightly ahead of Percy’s Bar, both of which were purchased at Keeneland sales. Gaudet favored Percy’s Bar for the win, while also noting Meaning as being a top contender.

As for the Derby, Gaudet said that while there were one or two horses who stood out in last year’s field going into the Derby, that was not the case this year, and any horse could win it. Nevertheless, Gaudet picked So Happy to win, in part due to the story line involving its trainer, Mark Glatt, whose wife, Dena, died unexpectedly in February. Dena was an integral part of Mark’s training activities. Adding to an already special situation, So Happy’s jockey, Mike Smith, would be riding in his twenty-ninth Derby. In addition to the emotional aspect, Gaudet liked what she termed So Happy’s “blue collar” aspect.

Leach favored Further Ado to win the Derby. In addition to betting Further Ado to win, he would do a five-horse exacta of Further Ado, Chief Wallabee, Commandment, Renegade, and Golden Tempo. He also suggested the Oaks-Derby Double (picking the winner of both races).

Gaudet generally had the same approach. Rounding out her top five were Commandment, Further Ado, Chief Wallabee, and Potente. Gaudet noted that there is also an interesting new way to wager the Derby, which is a three dollar, three-year-old, pick three, that includes the Pat Day Mile, American Turf, and the Derby.

As it played out, Leach’s pick for the Oaks, Always A Runner, came in a winner, but neither he nor Gabby picked the Derby winner, Golden Tempo. However, as Leach had declared to much laughter at the end of their picks, “the predictions come with no guarantees!” It was a great day of discussing thoroughbred racing and Keeneland, two of the things that help make life here so special.

– Louis Hatcher