Lucan Bloodstock Springs into Action

Karl Keegan, who has spent the last 15 years building his resume in Ocala, decided it was time to strike out on his own last fall when he officially launched Lucan Bloodstock. Following a successful sales debut in March, the operation will offer its second consignment at the upcoming Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Keegan, the son of a jockey, first found his love of horses in his hometown of Lucan, just south of Dublin. After serving as a work rider for trainers like John Gosden, Stanley House and Henry Cecil, the Irishman relocated to the U.S. in the early 1990s to work with Buckram Oak.

He eventually settled in New York where he would ride for trainers like Neil Drysdale, Bobby Frankel and Scott Lake in the morning before working as a valet in the afternoons.

“I've worked in many different areas within the horse racing industry throughout my lifetime,” Keegan said. “A very important 15 years of that time was spent on New York's major racetracks like Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga. It was there that I gained a ton of experience working alongside some

great horsemen.”

Keegan eventually made his way down to Ocala where he spent nine years as assistant trainer and manager at GoldMark Farm, followed by a five-year stint as trainer and manager at All in Line Stables.

“In 2006, my family and I moved to Ocala and I began my journey into the farm and training of young horses,” Keegan recalled. “Within that time I was also involved in pinhooking with some friends and went on to manage a consignment under All In Line Stables. After a couple of years of doing that and gaining the respect and support of my peers in the industry, in

September of 2020, I decided to launch Lucan Bloodstock.”

The name of the operation is obviously an homage to Keegan's hometown.

“Lucan was where I first discovered my love for horses, so I thought the name was fitting,” he said.

While he was kept busy this past week with six sessions of the under-tack show at OBS, Keegan is intent on offering his clients a full range of services.

“Our primary focus is to provide the highest quality of care and horsemanship for all horses that pass through our gates,” Keegan said. “We are a full-service facility which prides itself on meeting the specific needs of each individual horse; be it training, rehab or sales. We are able to do all of these things

because of hard work and dedication with a reliable staff and a top-notch facility.”

Lucan Bloodstock is based at Oak Ridge Training Center in Morriston.

“Oak Ridge has a one-mile dirt track, a seven-eighths turf course and plenty of paddock turnout,” Keegan said. “We also have our own swimming pool and cold water spa and there are plans for a new seven-eighths of a mile Celebration Bermuda turf course as well.”

Lucan Bloodstock made its debut as a consignor at last month's OBS March sale. The operation sold four juveniles in March, led by a $290,000 son of Twirling Candy (hip 30).

“We were very happy with the outcome of the March sale and we are working extremely hard to have a successful April sale also,” Keegan said.

Lucan Bloodstock brings a 19-horse consignment to the April sale. Among the group, a filly by Nyquist (hip 566) shared the :10 flat bullet during Wednesday's under-tack session. A colt by Speightster (hip 1196) worked a furlong in :10 flat Saturday.

A trio of juveniles from the consignment worked in :21 flat: a colt by Classic Empire (hip 208, video); a filly by Dark Angel (Ire) (hip 215, video); and a filly by More Than Ready (hip 414, video).     “We have a solid group of horses with a few standouts that

have breezed very well over the past few days of the breeze show,” Keegan said of his April consignment. “We feel that we will be able to meet many of the buyers needs. We would love to add to our existing client base and continue to offer the best service possible.”

The OBS Spring sale will be held Tuesday through Friday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m.