Home » Keeneland names VP of Racing and Sales

Keeneland names VP of Racing and Sales

Robert N. Elliston
Robert N. Elliston

Was instrumental in 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 26, 2016) — Robert N. Elliston has been named vice president of Racing and Sales at Keeneland, effective Aug. 29. Elliston has been executive vice president and COO of Breeders’ Cup Limited since 2012.

Keeneland’s globally significant racing and sales business lines will be consolidated under Elliston to align resources, foster relationships with horsemen and continuously improve the Keeneland experience from the sales ring to the winner’s circle. To further streamline operations, Elliston will oversee those departments that provide support for racing and sales, including Broadcast Services, Communications, Marketing and Sponsorship.

Elliston was instrumental in the record-setting success of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland, held Oct. 30-31, 2015, and headlined by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s impressive victory in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). In his role with the Breeders’ Cup, Elliston worked closely with Keeneland staff, its horsemen and Central Kentucky community and business leaders throughout the multiyear planning and execution process that produced one of the sport’s most memorable racing events.

An avid horse racing enthusiast his entire adult life, Elliston was president & CEO of Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, a position he held for 13 years before joining Breeders’ Cup. He currently serves on the Board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and has earned the Kentucky HBPA’s Man of the Year distinction and the Kentucky Harness Horsemen’s Presidential Award for distinguished service. Previously, he was executive chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Board.

Elliston also is active within the Central Kentucky community, recently being appointed to the boards of the Lexington Center Corporation and LexArts.

Elliston and his wife, Sharon, an attorney, along with their two daughters, Abby and Haley, reside in Lexington.