Fans forbidden from 2020 Breeders' Cup, Keeneland will host 2022 World Championships

Breeders’ Cup officials gave horse racing fans in Central Kentucky some good news and some bad news Saturday evening.

The bad news was expected. This year’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland will be held without fans in attendance on the first weekend in November.

“We have made the difficult decision to conduct the 2020 World Championships without fans in attendance. I can assure you that this decision was not made lightly and that I am just as disappointed about these unfortunate circumstances as anyone,” Breeders’ Cup president Drew Fleming said in a statement.. “Considering the international nature of the event, we simply cannot jeopardize the health and safety of our fans and the local Lexington community.”

The good news is that racing fans will not have to wait long to see horse racing’s World Championships at Keeneland. The richest day in racing will return to Keeneland Racecourse in 2022.

“The local community and loyal fans like you deserve the opportunity to experience the event at its full potential and we are delighted to be coming back to Lexington in just two short years,” said Fleming.

It’s a shame fans won’t be in the stands this fall, but two Keeneland Breeders’ Cups in three years isn’t a bad consolation prize. No matter what happens, it’s not going to be able to top what happened in 2015. “A horse of a lifetime!”