In challenging times, Keeneland aims for a smooth transition at the top
In its 85-year history, the Keeneland Association has been served by just seven presidents. All have been men. Until now.
As was announced Thursday, come Jan. 1, 2021, the torch will be passed when current president and CEO Bill Thomason will happily transition into retirement and his new role as a full-time grandfather, handing the association’s reins to Shannon Bishop Arvin, who will be the first female to hold that position.
Is the gender part a big deal?
“I hope first and foremost I’m the most qualified person for the job,” said Arvin shortly after the announcement, “but I think I’m like a lot of women in the industry that are working really hard and making meaningful contributions and I’m very happy that the contributions have been recognized and that I’ve been chosen.”
Indeed, Arvin is no stranger to Keeneland. Her grandfather, W.T. “Bish” Bishop was Keeneland’s first general manager when it opened in 1936. Her father William T. “Buddy” Bishop grew up on the grounds before entering the law and serving Keeneland as a trustee. Following in her father’s footsteps, Shannon Arvin earned her law degree and has served as Keeneland’s general counsel.
“People talk about the culture of places and sometimes I think that’s a pretty nebulous concept,” she said, “but I think understanding a little bit about Keeneland’s culture and mission — Keeneland’s mission has been a thing since 1935 and I think I have a good grasp of what that means.”
The culture and mission were things Thomason stressed in his eight years on the job. After 28 years as financial manger at Mill Ridge Farm, he joined Keeneland as CFO in 2010 before succeeding Nick Nicholson as president and CEO in 2012.
Much has changed over the past eight years. Keeneland returned its main track surface to dirt from Polytrack. It branched out into other areas besides sales and racing, using its green space for entertainment, weddings and concerts, including last year’s successful Railbird Festival. In 2015, it not only played host to its first Breeders’ Cup but silenced the critics who had deemed Lexington and Keeneland too small to hold such an event. It will be host to the event again this November.
Would Thomason point to the Breeders’ Cup as a particular highlight during his tenure?
“Absolutely, I would,” he said Thursday. “There are people who have traveled to Keeneland from all over the world to be on our sales ground. We sell to 35 different countries. But they hadn’t been here to be able to experience the hospitality and racing at the highest level with the hospitality that people get on our race course. So we were able to show another aspect of the importance of Keeneland and the way that we give back to the industry and showcase to the world at the highest level. And they’re still talking about it. And I’m glad we’ve got the opportunity to do it this year.”
No one knows what the current pandemic will look like come Nov. 6-7. There is plenty to do before then. Keeneland opens a historic five-day summer meet on Wednesday, with the centerpiece Blue Grass Stakes set for Saturday. There is the September Yearling Sale upcoming before the traditional Fall Meet in October.
A partner at Stoll Keenon Ogden, Arvin is to become president-elect Sept. 1 before assuming the duties full-time in 2021.
“I love Keeneland, first and foremost,” she said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here growing up throughout my life and throughout my professional life as their counsel. So my first thought is what can I do for Keeneland? It’s the opportunity and challenge of a lifetime.”
And there are plenty of challenges ahead — during and after COVID — for an industry trying to find its way in the sports landscape.
“In the work that I’ve been doing for the past 18 years, I have dealt with a lot of them already and I think we are making meaningful changes in safety and integrity,” she said. “There’s more to be done, but I think we’re up to the challenge.”
Keeneland leadership
April 1935: Hal Price Headley was elected first president of Keeneland Association.
1940: Louis Lee Haggin II was elected president of Keeneland Race Course.
1951: Guy A. Huguelet was elected Keeneland Association president.
1956: Louis Lee Haggin II was elected Keeneland Association president.
1970: James E. “Ted” Bassett III was elected Keeneland Association president, and Louis Lee Haggin II became chairman of the board.
1986: James E. “Ted” Bassett III was elevated from president to chairman of the board. Bill Greely was promoted from vice president to president.
2000: Nick Nicholson becomes the sixth President of Keeneland.
2012: Bill Thomason becomes the seventh president of Keeneland.
2021: Shannon Bishop Arvin will become the eighth president of Keeneland.
Keeneland
What: Summer Meet
When: Wednesday, July 8-Sunday, July 12
Top stakes races: Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile (July 10); Grade 2 Toyota Blue Grass, Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland and Grade 1 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (July 11)
Of note: The meet will be held without spectators
This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 11:05 AM.
