Founded in 1935, Keeneland is one of the world's premier racetracks. Its April and October race meetings and its annual public thoroughbred auctions lure participants from around the world. By far, James E."Ted"Bassett III is the man whose name is most frequently linked with Keeneland's extraordinary history and success. Bassett's involvement with Keeneland began in 1968 after he had served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and had been Director of the Kentucky State Police during the tumultuous era of the mid-1960s. Bassett has served as Keeneland's president, chairman of the board and trustee. One of the most respected figure within the global racing industry, he was also president of the Breeders' Cup during its greatest period of growth. During his life, Bassett has been a close friend and professional associate with heads of state and government officials both domestically and afar including Queen Elizabeth II, Ronald Reagan, J. Edgar Hoover and the Maktoum family of Dubai. He has formed equally close ties with racing legends such as D. Wayne Lukas, Nick Zito and Pat Day. Written with two-time Eclipse Award-winning racing journalist Bill Mooney, Keeneland's Ted Bassett: My Life is essential reading for fans of the Sport of Kings and a valuable resource for historians. It chronicles each definitive period of Bassett's life, from Kent school to Yale to Keeneland and beyond, illuminating the private details that shaped his public achievements, and offers readers a unique, intimate portrait of the man who helped shape Keeneland and an entire industry.

James E. "Ted" Bassett III continues to serve as Keeneland's trustee emeritus, and in this capacity he chairs fund-raising drives throughout the Bluegrass region. He lives in Woodford County, Kentucky.

Bill Mooney has covered racing for the New York Times, Thoroughbred Record and Blood-Horse, and is currently a contributing editor for Thoroughbred Times. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

Reviews:

"Bassett has been our ambassador for Thoroughbred racing around the world and has placed his stamp on every aspect of the sport, accomplishing this feat with the grip of a Marine and the air of a gentleman."-William S. Farish, former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain and master of Lane's End Farm

"Perhaps only in Kentucky can one move effortlessly from serving as Director of State Police to managing one of the world's most unique race tracks and dining with the Queen of England."-Terry Birdwhistell, associate dean of Special Collections and Digital Programs, University of Kentucky

"There is something here for everyone who has any affinity at all for horse racing....The book is well recommended."-Carlton Jackson, Bowling Green Daily News

"One of those rare racing autobiographies that transcends the sport in which it is largely based. Beautifully written, with humor and endearing self-deprecation, it captured me right out of the gate and kept me riveted around the turn, down the stretch, and across the finish line."-Thoroughbred Times

"The book chronicles [Bassett's] life from school boy, Yale University graduate, and U.S. Marine, to a stint as director of the Kentucky State Police, and finally, through his years as one of Thoroughbred racings best-known and respected ambassadors."-Barbara Livingston, Lancaster Farming