Machado brothers all together in KY

Today’s Keeneland barn notes by the track’s publicity department (Keeneland photo above of jockey Dylan (left), valet Muriel and jockey Luan Machado)

The Spring Meet runs through Friday, April 24. First post every day is 1 p.m. ET. 

Click here for Keeneland’s 2026 Media Guide.

Every race during the Spring Meet will be streamed live and at no charge
on Keeneland.com and broadcast live on FanDuel TV.

Complimentary digital programs with Equibase past performances 
Powered by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) 
are available to download by clicking here.

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• WINNING IS ALL IN THE FAMILY FOR MACHADO BROTHERS
• BEN ALI CONTENDER BRITISH ISLES FINDING HIS FOOTING BACK ON THE DIRT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
• THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

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WINNING IS ALL IN THE FAMILY FOR MACHADO BROTHERS

The jockeys’ quarters at any track is a special place for the athletes who are competitors on track but are bonded off track in what most consider a brotherhood. That camaraderie is extra special for brothers Luan, Muriel and Dylan Machado, who hail from Brazil and are together at Keeneland for the Spring Meet.

“This is a dream come true,” said Muriel Machado, the valet to Luan and Dylan, about the brothers all being on the grounds. “We always want to be together and grow together.”

At 31, the oldest Machado brother and the best locally known rider is Luan, a regular on the Kentucky circuit and the jockey for recent Central Bank Ashland (G1) winner Percy’s Bar, who is scheduled to make her next start in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Muriel — a former jockey who outgrew the profession and still works as an exercise rider when time allows — is 29. Dylan — who won his Keeneland debut on April 10 — is 19.

As sons of a jockey, they grew up in the racing world in their native Brazil.

“When we were kids, about 5 to 7 seven years old, our dad got our first horse,” Luan said. “(The horse) was full of bad habits, but he kind of taught us how to ride. (At) like 12-years-old, we went out to ride races at unofficial tracks. From there, we never stopped. Muriel and I first, then Dylan when we were already out of our home.”

All three graduated from their homeland’s jockey school and were successful riders there.

Luan was the first to move to North America, where he launched his career in 2015. He competed sparingly until earning his first victory in 2018 and closed the year with 21 wins from 109 mounts. His stats improved each season while he established himself in Kentucky year-round. He has been leading rider several times at Turfway Park, where he won 43 times this past winter to be runner-up in the standings. He has 759 wins and mount earnings nearing $38.3 million.

Muriel and Dylan also were at Turfway.

“We like to be together,” Luan said. “We worked separately for a very long time and it feels good to be with our family. It’s an extra good thing in the business.”

BEN ALI CONTENDER BRITISH ISLES FINDING HIS FOOTING
BACK ON THE DIRT

“He’s giving weight to every other horse in there, so we will see if he is good enough,” trainer Richard Baltas said Wednesday morning about British Isles, who figures to be one of the leading players in Saturday’s 95th running of the $350,000 Ben Ali (G3) for 4-year-olds and up going 1 3/16 miles on the main track.

Owned by Nick Cosato’s Slam Dunk Racing, Debby Baltas and Cynthia McClanahan, British Isles started his career in the barn of Bob Baffert for Coolmore, having three starts on dirt and then two on grass before joining the Baltas barn after a private purchase in early 2024.

British Isles stayed on the grass for his next 16 races and became stakes placed, but consistent success was elusive. Things changed last fall at Del Mar.

“The owners wanted to run on the dirt,” Baltas said. “He has trained well on it, so he ran in the Native Diver (G3) and just got caught by Nevada Beach, who had run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

“That got us excited and we went to Gulfstream (for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational-G1) and got fifth (at odds of 83-1) in a race that was better than it looks on paper.”

Baltas returned British Isles to his home base at Santa Anita and was rewarded with a victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) Presented by Yaamava’ Resorts & Casino at San Manuel on March 7.

“He ran away from horses that day and he had never done that before,” Baltas said of the 4¼-length victory. “He is a 5-year-old gelding and a nice horse to have. He’s a blessing.”

John Velazquez will have the mount Saturday from post 4.

An earner of more than $550,000, British Isles could find his way back to the grass.

“We always have that option.” Baltas said.

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH
PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES

Entries Taken Friday. Race Friday, April 24

Golden Sunshine (trainer Eoin Harty), Just Basking (Ian Wilkes), Mrs. Astor (Jonathan Thomas), Way to Be Marie (Eddie Kenneally). Possible: Dona Clota (CHI) (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Sarawak Rim (ARG) (Rusty Arnold), Venencia (FR) (Joseph Jr.)

THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours. Click here for availability and to purchase. 

Keeneland Library is presenting the free exhibit Raices: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, which highlights 100 trailblazing Latino men and women whose contributions have shaped Thoroughbred racing and breeding from the late 1800s to today.

The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Spring Meet

The Keeneland Shop isopen from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes following the final race and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On race days, Milliners Corner, Wagering Central and Finish Line locations will be open. 

Wednesday

WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wagers – no actual money is required – on Keeneland’s final six races of the day. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for tailgating on The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland). The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the final race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Saturday

Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary. Hats, posters, goggles and autograph books that can be signed will be available for purchase; personal items may be signed with a donation to PDJF. The event is on the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Racetracks of America Book Signing. The first comprehensive chronicle of its kind, The Racetracks of America: From the Pre-Civil War Days to the 21st Century is an image-packed compendium of past and present U.S. race tracks with contributions by the top writers in Thoroughbred racing. Meet the book’s developers from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Keeneland Library and purchase a copy while supplies last. All proceeds from book sales at Keeneland will benefit the Keeneland Library Foundation. Book signing will take place outside The Keeneland Shop from noon to 4 p.m.

PDJF Telethon Presented by Lane’s End. Racing Hall of Fame riders, leading active jockeys and racing personalities will take part in the eighth annual fundraiser. Keeneland will hold a call center in the Limestone Café in the Sales Pavilion. The event will be broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America’s Day at the Races on the Fox Sports family of networks and be streamed on tvg.com. Fans can participate by calling 1 844 884-7353 from 12:30-6 p.m. or by donating directly at https://pdjf.org/donate/.

Sunday

Kids Club Family Day Presented by Golisano Children’s at UK. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans ages 12 and under. Children 12 and under receive free general admission (no ticket required); Kids Club members may reserve up to two complimentary general admission tickets for accompanying adults in advance of the event. Access to reserved grandstand seating in Sections A, B & C is also available. Children’s activities in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include face painting, sweet treats and activities with such local community partners as Amplify Horse Racing, Golisano Children’s at UK, LexArts and The Salvation Army. Sign up for the Kids Club at Keeneland.com/kidsclub.

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 12 (7 days of 15-day season)