Charlie Hobbs. (Keeneland Photo)
Arboriculture Manager bids a fond farewell after 44 years at Keeneland
Keeneland Release
The 2025 Fall Meet marks the final racing season for Keeneland Arboriculture Manager Charlie Hobbs, who has worked here so long — 44 years — that it will be hard to imagine the track without him and him without the track following his retirement.
Hobbs was 18 when he accepted a maintenance position at Keeneland, and he never left. Through the decades, he has done countless chores on the property while interacting with co-workers, horsemen, fans and whoever crosses his path. Now he says he plans to steer clear of Keeneland during retirement, but he won’t be far away. He and his wife, Lori, who is Keeneland’s Assistant Director of Payroll, live in nearby Versailles.
Hobbs recently recounted a few memorable moments of his long career.
Q: How did you get your first job at Keeneland?
A: “Years ago, I worked at a car dealership and my brother-in-law worked at Keeneland. He said, ‘You ought to come out here,’ so I did. I was 18 and figured it would last a little while. Now it’s 44 years later. Never left, just stayed here. I’ve spent my life here.”
Q: What was your first job here?
A: “General labor. I started working with the trees a couple of months after I started. Now I am the Arboriculture Manager, taking care of trees, shrubs, landscaping. I drove the starting gate for about 28 years, drove the water trucks, just about anything out here.”
Q: What are some of your responsibilities with the trees?
A: “We water and trim, make sure the dead ones are out. We’re moving dead trees, taking care of fertilizing, just general maintenance on all the trees around the property.”
Q: Favorite memory?
A: “A recent one was meeting one of the Make-A-Wish kids who wanted to ride in the tractor, so he came out a few days early and I took him around the grounds and around the track a few times. I got to talk to him, and that was probably one of the most heartfelt moments.
“Another was with some of my car buddies. We did a parade of cars to take Cody Dorman (who became well-known through his relationship with Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish) to his prom. We got to meet his family. Good memories.”
Q: What will you miss?
A: “The people. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of different people over the years. The guys I work with – that’s probably one of the most important things.”
Q: What made you stay so long? Did you ever think about leaving?
A: “No, I didn’t. I figured when I started, I’d come out here probably a year or two, then find something else. They always treated me good here. With all of my supervisors, bosses, the guys I work with, it’s just great. Shannon Arvin is the fifth President that I’ve worked under. My three kids were born and raised in this area. My son (Jesse Hobbs) works here now with the trees, been here about 25 years.”
Q: What about the lasting friendships you’ve made?
A: “Some of the guys I work with and some of my old supervisors, we go fishing and stuff like that. A lot of them, I still talk to today. Even some of the trainers that I’ve known over the years, just everybody. I can’t tell you how many people I met and that know my name, know my face. I met country singers, baseball players, actresses. I helped out on several movies. I ran a bucket truck for lights and the starting gate for movies filmed here like ‘Seabiscuit.’ ”
Q: Now you’ll have more time for the boat, camper and grandkids?
A: “And car shows. I have a couple old cars, and we go a lot. I want to be able to do some things in the fall that I haven’t ever gotten to do. Some of the festivals, some of the places that my friends say, ‘Come on, we’re going here this weekend.’ Well, I can’t go because fall is such a busy time here. Next year I will get to go.”
