Keeneland: Gatewood Bell named vice president of racing

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Gatewood Bell, the founder of Cromwell Bloodstock who has held a variety of positions in racing, has been hired by Keeneland to become its vice president of racing, the Lexington, Ky., company announced on Thursday.

Bell, part of the third generation of a prominent Central Kentucky racing and breeding family, will fill a position vacated by the resignation of Robert Elliston late last year. Keeneland said that Bell will begin at his job “later this month.”

Bell was appointed to Keeneland’s advisory board in October, and he will resign that position in order to become the vice president of racing. Over the past 17 years, Bell has worked for former trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, represented rider Fernando Jara as a jockey agent, run his bloodstock and consulting agency, and has served on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He has also run a racing stable.

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Gatewood Bell is the son of Jimmy Bell, the president of Godolphin USA. His grandfather John A. Bell founded Jonabell Farm, where Gatewood grew up. Both his father and grandfather were directors at Keeneland.

“Gatewood brings a unique set of skills and experiences encompassing aspects of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries to the role of vice president of racing,” said Shannon Arvin, the president of Keeneland. “His passion for, and knowledge of, racing were honed in the trenches on his family’s farm and at the track, and in recent years as a bloodstock adviser. The range of Gatewood’s talents and his network of relationships with owners and trainers are well suited to help Keeneland navigate the future landscape of racing.”

Gatewood Bell lives in Lexington with his family. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2004 with a degree in finance.

“I have great respect and appreciation for what the Keeneland name and its history mean to its stakeholders: horsemen, horseplayers, fans, local community and global industry,” Gatewood Bell said, in a release. “Keeneland is a very special place. I grew up coming to the races there and it is where I fell in love with the game.”