Edited Keeneland Staff Release – Before the start of the race on Wednesday – with four days remaining in Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet – jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., trainer Brendan Walsh and owner Spendthrift Farm lead their respective categories.
Ortiz, who is competing for his second leading rider title at a Keeneland event, has 18 victories. He has won three stakes: the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Rhetoricalthe Castle & Key Bourbon (G2). Final score and the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2). Nakatomi.
Ortiz – also the winningest jockey at Keeneland’s Spring Meet 2024 – starts today in the 14the day of the season with four wins more than Luis Saez in second place. Ortiz is named on horses in seven races today, nine races Thursday, nine races Friday and nine races Saturday.
Saez is named on horses in six races today, nine races Thursday, nine races Friday and 10 races Saturday.
In third place is Irad’s brother, Jose Ortiz, who starts today with 12 wins. He is named on horses in six races today, eight races Thursday, nine races Friday and 10 races Saturday.
Walsh – who is seeking his second title as leading trainer of a Keeneland meet – tops the trainers with nine wins, including four stakes: the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) with Gin Ginthe Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), presented by Dixiana with Luscious lips (NL)the Jessamine (G2) presented by Keeneland Sales with Imagination woman and the Rood & Riddle widow (G3) with Venice (FR).
The conditioner has entered horses for one race today, three races Thursday, four races Friday and seven races Saturday.
Spendthrift Farm has six wins from seven starters to primary owners. The stakes wins include the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Ted Noffey and the Darley Alcibiades (G1) with Tommy Jo. In collaboration with Repole Stable, Spendthrift is co-owner of a seventh winner: Tenacious leader.
For the Fall Meet, Spendthrift has its last participant on Thursday.
The season record for wins by an owner is 17, set by Ken and Sarah Ramsey at the 2013 Fall Meet.
CHARLIE HOBBS is preparing to retire after 44 years at KEENELAND
The 2025 Fall Meet marks the final racing season for Keeneland Arboriculture Manager Charlie Hobbs, who has worked here so long – 44 years – that it will be difficult to imagine the track without him and him without the track after his retirement.
Hobbs was 18 when he took a maintenance job at Keeneland, and he never left. Over the decades, he has done countless odd jobs around the grounds while interacting with colleagues, riders, fans and anyone who crossed his path. Now he says he plans to avoid Keeneland during his retirement, but he won’t be far away. He and his wife Lori, the Assistant Director of Payroll at Keeneland, live in nearby Versailles.
Hobbs recently talked about some memorable moments from his long career.
Q: How did you get your first job at Keeneland?
A: “Years ago I worked at a car dealership and my brother-in-law worked at Keeneland. He said, ‘You should come here,’ so I did. I was 18 and thought it would last a while. Now it’s 44 years later. I never left, I just stayed here. I’ve spent my whole life here.”
Q: What was your first job here?
A: “General duties. A few months after I started, I started working with the trees. Now I’m the Tree Nursery Manager, taking care of trees, shrubs and landscaping. I ran the starting gate, drove the water trucks, and just about everything here for about 28 years.”
Q: What are some of your responsibilities with the trees?
A: “We water and trim, make sure the dead trees are out. We move dead trees, take care of the fertilization, just general maintenance of all the trees around the property.”
Q: Favorite memory?
A: “A recent meeting, one of the Make-A-Wish kids wanted to ride in the tractor, so he came out a few days early and I took him around the grounds and around the track a few times. I got to talk to him, and that was probably one of the most heartfelt moments.
“Another one was with some of my car friends. We did a parade of cars to bring in Cody Dorman (who became famous for his relationship with Horse of the Year). Cody’s wish) to his ball. We were allowed to meet his family. Good memories.”
Question: What will you miss?
A: “The people. I’ve met a lot of different people over the years. The guys I work with, that’s probably one of the most important things.”
Q: Why did you stay so long? Have you ever thought about leaving?
A: “No, I didn’t. When I started, I thought I would probably come here for a year or two and then find something else. They’ve always treated me well here. With all my supervisors, bosses, the guys I work with, it’s just great. Shannon Arvin is the fifth president I’ve worked under. My three children were born and raised in this area. My son (Jesse Hobbs) now works here among the trees and has been here for about 25 years.”
Q: What about the lasting friendships you’ve made?
A: “Some of the guys I work with and some of my old supervisors, we go fishing and stuff like that. I still talk to a lot of them. Even some of the trainers I’ve known over the years, just everyone. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met that know my name, know my face. I met country singers, baseball players, actresses. I helped out on several movies. I drove a box truck for lighting and it starting gate for films shot here, such as ‘Zeekoekje.’ ”
Question: Do you now have more time for the boat, camper and grandchildren?
A: “And car shows. I have a few old cars and we go a lot. I want to be able to do some things in the fall that I’ve never done before. Some festivals, some places where my friends say, ‘Come on, we’re going here this weekend.’ Well, I can’t go because fall is such a busy time here. I can go next year.”
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