Elliston resigns as vice president of racing at Keeneland

Bob Elliston has resigned his position as vice president of racing at Keeneland. Elliston, a former CEO at Breeders’ Cup Limited, will leave Keeneland before Jan. 1. He came to the powerful sales and racing company in 2016.

Ellitston’s retirement was reported Tuesday on the Bloodhorse website.

Elliston’s departure is part of a Keeneland retrenchment that began this past July when CEO and president Bill Thomason announced his retirement at year’s end. At the same time, Elliston’s position changed from vice president of racing and sales to vice president of racing. Shannon Bishop Arvin, who was named president and CEO beginning in January 2021, took over the executive sales position in July.

Elliston is a native of Florence, Ky., and headed his home-city track, Turfway Park, for 13 years before moving on to Breeders’ Cup in 2012. While CEO there, he helped bring the first Breeders’ Cup to Keeneland in 2015.

Bloodhorse reported Elliston had resigned to pursue unspecified “other endeavors.”