Keeneland reacted to the Facebook post by Tom VanMeter, breeder of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, by banning him from the grounds pending further review of the matter. The following statement was released:
“Effective immediately, Tom VanMeter will be excluded from the Keeneland premises, including participation by VanMeter and VanMeter-Gentry Sales in sales and racing activities, while Keeneland further reviews the circumstances related to the recent reprehensible comments VanMeter made on social media. Keeneland takes its role in advancing inclusion and diversity seriously. But we know that we as a company, an industry and a society have much work to do. Only through listening and concrete action can we hope to live up to our values of respect, community and equality.”
VanMeter has already publicly apologized for the statement. The apology was met with primarily skepticism on social media.
