G&G Party Pics

A Thoroughbred Affair

G&G invited guests to an “owner for a day” experience at the prestigious Keeneland Spring Race Meet and Horses of Racing Age Sale. Following coffee at the Track Kitchen, guests met Keeneland’s Buff Bradley, trainer Eddie Kenneally and jockey Declan Cannon to watch the horses at the track and view the morning warm-ups. Afterward, guests joined Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland, for an intimate cocktail breakfast. The morning activities concluded with a celebratory bourbon tasting led by Rob Samuels, managing director of Maker’s Mark. 

After a mid-afternoon break, the group returned to tour the Paddock, an exclusive Winner’s Circle experience, and to watch the afternoon races from the Grandstand Boxes. After the races, guests transitioned to the Sales Pavilion for an introduction to the Horses of Racing Age Sale, followed by a celebratory toast of Pappy Van Winkle led by Julian Van Winkle III, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery president, in the Northern Dancer Bar.

Special Thanks to:
VisitLex

View as Slideshow

The sun rises at Keeneland.
 

The sun rises at Keeneland.

 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

Breakfast in the Track Kitchen. 
 

Breakfast in the Track Kitchen. 

 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

Declan Cannon guides guests through the morning warm-ups at the track.

Declan Cannon guides guests through the morning warm-ups at the track.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

A racehorse warms up during morning works. 

A racehorse warms up during morning works. 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

A behind-the-scenes tour of the barns. 
 

A behind-the-scenes tour of the barns. 

 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

An intimate breakfast in the Clubhouse Terrace. 

An intimate breakfast in the Clubhouse Terrace. 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

Weisenberger Mill shrimp and grits with Lowcountry greens, Benton’s Bacon jam, and smoked tomato coulis.

Weisenberger Mill shrimp and grits with Lowcountry greens, Benton’s Bacon jam, and smoked tomato coulis.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

The Maker’s Mark display wall in the Keeneland Clubhouse is prepped for a special tasting.

The Maker’s Mark display wall in the Keeneland Clubhouse is prepped for a special tasting.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

Rob Samuels leads guests through a tasting of specialty bourbons.

Rob Samuels leads guests through a tasting of specialty bourbons.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

A tour and photo in the Winner’s Circle.

A tour and photo in the Winner’s Circle.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

GD Hieronymus, Keeneland’s former director of broadcast services, advises guests on the day’s races. 

GD Hieronymus, Keeneland’s former director of broadcast services, advises guests on the day’s races. 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

Julian Van Winkle III.

Julian Van Winkle III.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

A selection of iconic Keeneland snacks including Kentucky burgoo, bread pudding, pretzels and beer cheese.
 

A selection of iconic Keeneland snacks including Kentucky burgoo, bread pudding, pretzels and beer cheese.

 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

A special viewing of the stakes race from the Grandstand Boxes.
 

A special viewing of the stakes race from the Grandstand Boxes.

 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

Tony Lacy, Keeneland vice president of sales, walks guests through the bidding process before the evening’s sale.
 

Tony Lacy, Keeneland vice president of sales, walks guests through the bidding process before the evening’s sale.

 

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

To cap off the day, guests sample Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20-year in the Northern Dancer Bar.

To cap off the day, guests sample Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20-year in the Northern Dancer Bar.

Photo: Ashley and Zac Brown

The Horses of Racing Age Sale begins at Keeneland—world’s largest and most prominent Thoroughbred auction house.
 

The Horses of Racing Age Sale begins at Keeneland—world’s largest and most prominent Thoroughbred auction house.

 

Photo: Keeneland