INTRODUCTION
History of Keeneland Presidents Twelve enterprising horsemen under the leadership of Hal Price Headley formed the Keeneland Association in 1935 after Lexington’s Kentucky Association race track closed after nearly 100 years of operation. Keeneland’s founders outlined their vision for a “model racetrack” to showcase “racing as it was meant to be” in a “prospectus” that eloquently detailed the development, financing and governance of the new association. Headley was installed as the first President of Keeneland. Keeneland Race Course opened to accolades on Oct. 15, 1936. Headley remained President until 1951, when Guy Huguelet took the helm. Huguelet held that position until his death in 1955, whereupon, the Keeneland Association elected Louis Lee Haggin II as President. At this point in Keeneland’s history, a distinction was made between being President of the Keeneland Race Course and being President of the Keeneland Association, with the latter being the higher
authority. Haggin had been President of the Race Course since 1940 before assuming the role as President of the Association in 1956. At 43, Haggin was the youngest person elected President. In 1970, James E. “Ted” Bassett III became Association President after serving as Haggin’s assistant for several years. Bassett oversaw rapid changes in Keeneland’s sales as the 1980s economy boomed, prompting bidding wars into the millions of dollars for well-bred yearlings. Additionally, Bassett served as host to Queen Elizabeth II, who presented the trophy for the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup in 1984. Bassett moved on to other roles, and William C. “Bill” Greely was promoted from Vice President to President in 1986. Greely had the distinction of introducing Sunday racing in 1991 and installing a public address system and race caller, Kurt Becker, in 1997. Greely retired in early 2000, and George “Nick” Nicholson was elected President.
Nicholson shepherded Keeneland’s 75th Anniversary festivities along with the filming of the movies “Seabiscuit,” “Dreamer” and “Secretariat,” the installation of the allweather Polytrack surface and other capital improvements, including the construction of the new Library in 2002. When Nicholson retired in 2012, Chief Financial Officer William “Bill” Thomason took the reins. Thomason’s achievements include the installation of an innovative dirt track, oversight of two successful runnings of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, development of a superb Keeneland Hospitality and Special Events program, establishment of safety and industry integrity initiatives along with leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, Shannon Bishop Arvin, a member of Keeneland’s Board of Directors and Keeneland’s legal counsel, was named President-Elect. She became President and CEO on Jan. 1, 2021.
Keeneland Association Presidents
14
Hal Price Headley 1935-1951
Guy Huguelet 1951-1955
Louis Lee Haggin II 1956-1970
James E. “Ted” Bassett III 1970-1986
William C. “Bill” Greely 1986-2000
George “Nick” Nicholson 2000-2012
William “Bill” Thomason 2012-2020
Shannon Bishop Arvin 2021-
2022 Keeneland Media Guide | Introduction
Rev. 3/7/22 ®
