Keeneland’s official 2024 Fall Meet Opening Day gathered attendees from across the country and University of Kentucky students on the Paddock.

The Fall Meet began on Oct. 4 and will continue through Oct. 26, with gates opening at 11 a.m. There are no races held on Mondays or Tuesdays.

UK biology junior Isabella Schilling said her favorite part about Keeneland is betting on horses and tailgating with her friends.

“I feel like it brings everyone together,” Schilling said. “You see everyone you know here, and you always come together and find your friends…you all go watch the horses, you bet together, you tailgate together- it’s a whole ordeal, it’s super fun and no other school has it.”

Some Keeneland fans attended opening day to celebrate special occasions with their loved ones, like couple Hunter Meyer and Harper Lamb.

Meyer and Lamb came to Keeneland’s opening day to celebrate their wedding, set for the next day, bringing with them a “busload” of close friends.

“When we were planning the weekend, we were thinking about extending celebrations,” Lamb said. “And we said, ‘why not do Friday?’”

Both Meyer and Lamb, now in their twenties, have been coming to Keeneland since they were young.

“I like the atmosphere the best,” Lamb said. “We go to other race tracks, but Keeneland, it feels very ‘Lexington,’ it’s so pretty.”

Some Keeneland fans are most excited to see the horses. For David Niehaus, he is most excited for his wife Rayne to attend a Keeneland meet for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to her getting to experience Keeneland, and just enjoy the overall racing atmosphere,” David said.

The Niehaus’, who were on a two-week vacation from their home in Reno, Nevada, decided that now was the perfect time to finally visit Keeneland together.

Although this is Rayne’s first time, David, now 70, visited Keeneland over 50 years ago, and has even trained race horses at Keeneland.

“I went to school at UK, and that’s when I had a job at one of the farms and we had a horse in training,” David said. “I think as far as racing goes, it’s (Keeneland) the best.”

Many of Keeneland’s service workers, also known as greencoats, said they chose to work at Keeneland because of the atmosphere and friendly people.

Greencoat Mary Beth Vicini said Keeneland seemed like the perfect option for her once she retired from her previous job.

“I was just looking for a part-time thing to do,” Vicini said. “And I’m so happy I chose this, it’s been wonderful.”

Vicini said her brother and sister-in-law also work at Keeneland and love the job.

Greencoat Ellie Prather said her favorite part about Keeneland is Make-A-Wish Day, which only happens during fall meets.

On Make-A-Wish Day, Prather said the children involved are given access to Keeneland’s Phoenix Room, which overlooks the walking ring where racehorses are mounted, as well as free dining.

“And, if their horse wins,” Prather said. “They can go down to the Winner’s Circle and be with the jockey and the horses. It’s really a great thing.”

Some of Keeneland’s fans haven’t visited the race in many years, but are making their return this year.

Keeneland attendee Andrea Mortimer said she has not attended Keeneland in over 40 years.

“I used to come here frequently,” Mortimer said. “But it’s changed in 40 years, oh my gosh, has it changed.”

Mortimer, who now lives in Detroit, said Keeneland is much bigger now compared to 40 years ago.

“I don’t even think there had been a store back then,” Mortimer said. “There’s a lot more concessions. It was just really really small and intimate then.”

Jeanne Formoso and Joe Tyson, both of whom attended opening day with Mortimer, said they were looking forward to experiencing Keeneland and horse betting for the first time.

“I didn’t come here to lose,” Tyson said.

While some come to Keeneland to bet on horses, others, like UK nursing sophomore Adyson Shortbridge, come to experience the culture surrounding racehorses and the equine industry.

Shortbridge and veterinary sciences sophomore Avery Emerson explained how big of an impact horses have when it comes to representing Lexington’s community.

“They’re a big part of everybody’s lives here,” Emerson said.

Shortbridge and Emerson said their favorite part about Keeneland had to be the fashion, drinks and people.

“It’s like a tradition,” Emerson said. “We always come here every year. It’s always a good way to get together with people.”

Carly Palmer, who attended with her friend, Kaelyn Lynch, said she was looking forward to finally watching horse races in person and not on her TV.

Palmer, a Keeneland first-timer, said she was most excited to hang out with friends, socialize and learn how to bet on horses.

Although Palmer did not end up betting on any horses, Lynch said she won some money from a bet she made earlier.

“I heard it was like 25 bucks?” Lynch said. “I bet five.”

Lynch said she just wanted to bet once, then enjoy Keeneland’s atmosphere.

“The environment of it, it’s fun,” Lynch said. “There’s nothing really like it.”