‘A truly international event.’ Breeders’ Cup Festival adds new events, venues for fall

Beth Musgrave
·3 min read

Thousands of people are expected to attend the Breeders’ Cup this fall at Keeneland.

And Lexington is preparing by hosting a more than week-long festival that will hopefully appeal to visitors and locals alike, city and festival officials said last week.

Mayor Linda Gorton said the festival will showcase Lexington for a worldwide audience — an audience that will hopefully return.

“This is truly an international event, with fans and media coming from all over the globe,” Gorton said. “And we need to be incredible hosts to make them return again and again to our city.”

The CHI Health Saint Joseph Breeders’ Cup Festival will feature live music, international restaurant fare and horse-themed movie offerings in downtown and throughout Lexington, said Kip Cornett, the chairman of the festival.

The festival will run from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5. The Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is Nov. 4 and Nov. 5.

“Lexington is now the gold standard for hosting the Breeders’ Cup — and this lineup will make sure our guests have great memories beyond the track,” Cornett said.

Cornett said more events will be added to the line up as the race and festival nears.

Downtown will be the center of much of the festival. But other areas of town will also host events including the Greyline Station on Loudon Avenue and the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden near Midland Avenue and Third Street.

American Pharoah is led to the track before the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the final race of his career, at Keeneland on Oct. 31, 2015.
American Pharoah is led to the track before the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the final race of his career, at Keeneland on Oct. 31, 2015.

To find a full line up of upcoming events go to breederscupfestival.com.

Here’s some of the events planned so far:

Sunday Oct. 30, Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden

Walk in the footsteps of legends starting at Isaac Murphy Art Garden and following Town Branch Trail to Central Bank Center. Learn about the early years of racing in Lexington and key role played by African-American riders and trainers.

Monday Oct. 31, Rupp Arena

Free admission to witness history as post positions are drawn on the floor of the Rupp Arena for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

Monday Oct. 31 to Saturday Nov. 5, Tandy Park

Tandy Park in downtown Lexington will host a series of musical guests throughout the week. Food vendors will also be on hand. The events will begin at 5:30 p.m. each night.

Tuesday Nov. 1 through Friday Nov. 4, Kentucky Theatre

The downtown movie theater will feature film classics centered around horses and horse racing throughout the week. Think “Secretariat” and “National Velvet” as well as independent films such as “Jockey.”

Wednesday Nov. 2, Jeff Ruby’s

A luncheon fundraiser will be held at the downtown restaurant that will feature cocktails, food stations and shopping from local and national vendors. Proceeds will benefit the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, which provides financial relief to members of the thoroughbred industry and their families.

Wednesday Nov. 2 to Friday Nov. 4, Greyline Station

The popular Bourbon Showcase will feature bourbons from more than 20 distilleries. Expect local Kentucky foods as well.

Friday Nov. 4 and Saturday Nov. 5, Tandy Park

Breeders’ Cup watch party at Tandy Park. Large-screen televisions will play the races in the downtown park. There will be food vendors and other entertainment as well.

Friday Nov. 4, Greyline Station

The Loudon Avenue venue will host an international block party with international cuisine, music and cocktails.

Monday Oct. 24 to Friday Nov. 5, Various participating restaurants

Local restaurants will be participating in the popular “Feeder’s Cup,” with local eateries whipping up specialty cocktails and dishes. A full line up of participating restaurants will be announced in October.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • North Korea says it tested 'super-large' cruise missile warhead and new anti-aircraft missile

    Korean Central News Agency released photos showing at least two missiles being fired off launcher trucks on a runway. The missiles in the image were not identified. State media said North Korea's missile administration on Friday conducted a 'power test' for the warhead designed for the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 strategic cruise missile and a test-launch of the Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missile.

  • Trump campaign falsely claimed twice this week that he’s ‘stormed’ out of court

    A reporter from The Indpendent, who has been observing proceedings all week, says claims of the former president’s defiant exit on Friday were not entirely accurate

  • The NBA's newest stars have an opportunity in these playoffs: Who's ready to take the torch?

    Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the next generation of NBA superstars have a big challenge ahead on the league's biggest stage.

  • Weekend warming up before cooling off again

    Weekend warming up before cooling off again

  • Azerbaijani journalist remanded in latest move against independent media

    Turan said Imran Aliyev, head of the Meclis.info outlet, which reports mainly on Azerbaijan's parliament, was being held in connection with a case against the Abzas Media group. Police last November said they had found 40,000 euros ($42,700) in cash in the media outlet's Baku offices. Aliyev has been subjected to electric shocks and beatings since being taken into custody at Baku airport on Thursday, Turan quoted the journalist as saying.

  • Bitcoin's latest 'halving' has arrived. Here's what you need to know

    NEW YORK (AP) — The “miners” who chisel bitcoins out of complex mathematics are taking a 50% pay cut — effectively reducing new production of the world’s largest cryptocurrency, again. Bitcoin's latest “halving" appeared to occur Friday night. Soon after the highly anticipated event, the price of bitcoin held steady at about $63,907. Now, all eyes are on what will happen down the road. Beyond bitcoin’s long-term price behavior, which relies heavily on other market conditions, experts point to po

  • What is "pig-butchering"? Scam trend costs Americans millions

    A massive bust in New York is making national headlines this month. Prosecutors in Brooklyn seized nearly two dozen web domains associated with a scheme known as "pig butchering." But what is "pig butchering?" In short, it's when scammers strike up online conversations with unsuspecting victims, gain their trust, and then manipulate them into making bogus cryptocurrency investments.

  • School district administration criticizes board's decision to cancel gay actor's visit

    Cumberland Valley School District's superintendent and other administrators sent a letter to staff and faculty this week rebuking a vote by board members to cancel an anti-bullying event featuring a gay actor and author.

  • 15 Best Places to Retire in Ohio

    This article takes a look at the 15 best places to retire in Ohio. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on navigating retirement living in the US, you may go to 5 Best Places to Retire in Ohio. Adieu, Baby Boomers The last of America’s Baby Boomers will soon be entering retirement. The […]

  • Teachers say lawmakers should prioritize school funding over legislation like ‘pronoun bill’

    Educators say bills aimed at transgender students that continue to move through the Arizona Legislature are a distraction from issues such as school funding. Senate Bill 1166, which would require schools to notify parents within five days if a teacher or contractor calls a student by a different name or pronoun, has passed the Senate and is moving through the House.

  • UPDATE 1-Bitcoin 'halving' has taken place, CoinGecko says

    Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, on Friday completed its "halving," a phenomenon that happens roughly every four years, according to according to CoinGecko, a cryptocurrency data and analysis company. Bitcoin was fairly stable immediately afterward, falling 0.47% to $63,747. Bitcoin enthusiasts had eagerly waited for the "halving" - a change to the cryptocurrency's underlying technology designed to cut the rate at which new bitcoins are created.

  • Coyotes' move to Salt Lake City elicits opposing responses in 2 cities

    PHOENIX (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sat next to the former Arizona Coyotes owner in a downtown Phoenix hotel meeting room, trying to put a positive spin on the funeral for a franchise. Later Friday, Bettman sat next to the new Coyotes owner in Salt Lake City to bask in the excitement of the league's newest city and a fan base that had been itching for another team to join the NBA's Utah Jazz. One day, two drastically different news conferences for the same hockey team. "If you look back

  • Collin Morikawa part of 4-way tie for the lead at Hilton Head. Scottie Scheffler lurks 3 shots back

    HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Collin Morikawa had another solid round Friday in the RBC Heritage with a 5-under 66 and appears to be getting back to the reliable form that made him a two-time major champion. Masters champion Scottie Scheffler's form never seems to change. Even after an emotionally taxing victory at Augusta National, a quick trip home to Dallas and only nine holes of practice, the world's No. 1 player is right in the mix. It's crowded at the top after two days of warm, ideal co

  • Phillies' Turnbull loses no-hit bid when Sheets singles for White Sox in 7th inning

    PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia's Spencer Turnbull lost his bid for a second career no-hitter when he allowed a one-out single in the seventh inning Friday night to Gavin Sheets of the Chicago White Sox. The 31-year-old Phillies right-hander pitched a no-hitter for Detroit against Seattle on May 18, 2021, his only complete game in 63 starts entering the night. He walked one and struck out six over the first six innings. Sheets singled on a line drive to right field. Turnbull is 1-0 this season

  • Investigating signature fraud in Arizona's elections

    Investigating petition fraud.

  • Palm Beach Gardens, Dwyer tie 3-3 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

    The baseball regular season will wrap up next week ahead of the district tournament.

  • When Will Poseidon Nickel Limited (ASX:POS) Breakeven?

    With the business potentially at an important milestone, we thought we'd take a closer look at Poseidon Nickel...

  • Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department – live updates: What critics and fans are saying

    Pop star shares message with fans from Instagram as fans celebrate new album release, with many noticing several lyrical references to The 1975’s Matty Healy along with her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn

  • Police reviewing allegations against suspended Tory MP accused of pay-off to ‘bad people’

    Officers consider Labour call for Lancashire force to investigate

  • Mexico Presidential Frontrunner Sees Pemex Refinancing Debt

    (Bloomberg) -- Mexico’s leading presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum said she expects Petroleos Mexicanos, the world’s most indebted oil producer, to refinance its bonds ahead of upcoming maturities in 2025. Most Read from BloombergElon Wants His Money BackNew York’s Rich Get Creative to Flee State Taxes. Auditors Are On to ThemTraders Are Cashing Out of Markets En Masse‘Mag Seven’ Get Crushed Before Next Week’s Results: Markets WrapDubai Grinds to Standstill as Flooding Hits City“By necessi