A $75M quarter horse racetrack, gaming facility and equestrian center are planned for Eastern Kentucky, thanks to the vision, partnerships and investment by our team. In addition to the union labor being used throughout construction, the project is expected to create more than 200 good-paying jobs and brings quarter horse racing back to the Commonwealth for the first time in more than a decade.
“This project is as much about economic development as it is the Quarter Horse community,” said Larry Lucas, Chairman of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky. “We are very grateful and humbled by the confidence shown by the commission and the support from the governor's office, the Mountain legislative caucus, Boyd County, the city of Ashland and the people of eastern Kentucky.” Revolutionary Racing Kentucky plans to build the racing facility on 177 acres in Boyd County, near Ashland. Nearly $1 million in new tax revenues are expected to be generated each year. Sandy’s Gaming is expected to open in late 2023, with the track opening for the Spring 2025 season and the equestrian center to follow.
While Quarter Horse racing will serve as the centerpiece of the project, plans call for year-round use for Quarter Horse shows and competitions, as well as an adjacent entertainment complex.
As the track is under construction, the group hosted the inaugural Sandy Ridge at Red Mile, which brought thousands of quarter horse racing fans to Lexington in April. Another week of quarter horse races are set for 2024, before the ribbon is cut at Boyd County Judge Executive Eric Chaney thanked the KHRC, as well as the many community leaders, state legislators, business owners and others who have strongly supported this substantial investment in eastern Kentucky.
“We have all rallied behind this project because we understand what it will mean for our community – from jobs to tax revenues to quality of life,” Chaney said. “Revolutionary Racing has been a true partner with us throughout this process and we look forward to them being part of our community for many years to come.”