Keeneland has named lifelong horseman and former trainer William “Buff” Bradley to the new position of Associate of Sales Development. Bradley, who began his role Feb. 28, will concentrate on sales of breeding stock and horses of racing age.
“We are excited to have Buff join the Keeneland sales team to further strengthen our outreach to horsemen and their participation in our sales,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Buff has tremendous experience as a breeder, owner and trainer and has gained the respect of a broad range of people in the industry, both professionally and personally.”
Bradley, who is from Frankfort, Kentucky, conditioned the earners of more than $19.2 million from 1993-2021. His most accomplished runners were two fan favorites: two-time champion and Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Groupie Doll, who earned $2.6 million, and Grade 1 winner Brass Hat, who earned $2.1 million. Bradley also trained Grade 1 winner and millionaire Divisidero and Grade 2 winner The Player. Brass Hat was a homebred racing for Bradley’s late father, Fred. He and his father bred Groupie Doll and co-owned her with Carl Hurst; the Bradleys and Hurst bred The Player, who raced for Buff Bradley and Hurst.
At Keeneland, Brass Hat won the 2010 Sycamore (G3), Groupie Doll captured the 2012 Vinery Madison (G1) and Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) and The Player took the 2017 Hagyard Fayette (G2). Following her win in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup, Groupie Doll sold to Whisper Hill Farm for $3.1 million at Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Keeneland and be part of a place that always has been special to my family and me,” Bradley said. “I was nine in 1972 when I came to the races for the first time with my parents and saw my dad’s filly You’re Worth win. In the mid-1990s at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale, my dad bought two fillies who became the dams of Brass Hat and Groupie Doll. As a trainer, I was so proud each time I won a stakes here with our family’s horses.”
Bradley, who lives in Louisville, has three children, daughters Kory (26) and Jett (19) and son Drew (23). The 21-year-old Brass Hat resides at his Indian Ridge Farm in Frankfort.
Bradley looks forward to working alongside the entire Keeneland Sales team, which includes Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy, Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach, Director of Racing and Sales Administration Ashley Whalen, Director of Sales Development Mark Maronde, Assistant Director of Sales Analytics Chip McGaughey, Assistant Director of Sales Operations Dean Roethemeier and Assistant Director of Sales Development Kyle Wilson.
Since its first race meet more than 85 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts four sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015 and 2020 and is holding the event again on Nov. 4-5, 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains the Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.
For more information contact:
Amy Gregory at 859 361-3490
or Amy Owens at 859 421-2566
Image available on request