Louisville equine program's first grad remains a trailblazer

Kimber Goodwin will always have the distinction of being the first graduate of the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program, as it was in August of 1989 that she earned a bachelor's degree from the nascent program.

The achievement marked the start of a long and distinguished career in horse racing, which was always the dream for the Kentucky native.

“I started going to the track in an infant seat and learned to read the racing form at 12 years old at Ellis Park,” Goodwin said. “This is in my blood and in my heart. So to be able to combine something I'm so passionate about with what I do for a living is an absolute joy.”

Upon graduation, Goodwin was hired by the Maryland Jockey Club for work in the marketing department where she served in event planning and other roles. In short order, Goodwin became a public-facing employee as the on-air race analyst for all of the MJC racetracks in 1990. She is credited as being the first female on-air race analyst at a U.S. racetrack. 

“Now everyone has at least one, maybe two,” Goodwin said proudly. “But back in the day, I was the only one.” 

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In addition to her role as track handicapper for the MJC, Goodwin also served as event coordinator of the widely known InfieldFest at the Preakness Stakes. This marriage of event planning and horse racing would later lead to the creation of Goodwin's own company, Blonde Marketing.

First, Goodwin served as director of special events for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association, where among other things she played a key role in the launch of the Claiming Crown. 

“That was a really cool project because I love those war horses,” Goodwin said.

She left TOBA almost 12 years ago to launch Blonde Marketing, an event planning and marketing company “with a twist.” Goodwin said the company's VIP Horse Racing Concierge Service offers unmatched services thanks to her background in the industry. 

“It is full-service VIP event planning with a twist because I'm someone who understands horse racing and all those idiosyncratic needs and wants that come with a trip to the racetrack,” Goodwin said. 

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She pointed out a group of 40 she convened at Pimlico for this past Preakness weekend. During the two-day stay, she personally led the group on a tour of the backstretch and conducted a handicapping seminar before the races as part of the amenities.

“That's not something any event planner can put together for you,” Goodwin noted. “They were a group of plastic surgeons from around the country and they had an absolute blast.”

Horse racing events account for about 50% of Blonde Marketing's event planning business, Goodwin estimated. 

“I'd like to make that about 80 percent,” Goodwin said. “It's because this is not just what I do for a living, I truly enjoy it. My life's passion has always been horse racing.”

One way Goodwin envisions reaching that goal is increasing her work with the industry's racing partnerships and syndicates, which can often consist of hundreds of members. 

“The Concierge Service I think would add value to those because the people in charge are supposed to be focused on the horse, “Goodwin said. “So let me focus on getting your people shipped and fed. You keep the horse happy. 

“I can figure out where to send your people to eat, where to stay, where to get your hair done, and where to get the seats at the venue,” Goodwin continued. “It takes the onus off them.”

As Goodwin continues to make her mark in the horse racing industry, she gives plenty of credit to her time at the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program. 

“When I started it was new and I wasn't sure exactly what to expect,” Goodwin said. “But there were a lot of people involved that had a lot of experience about the business of horse racing. 

“I had been a fan up to that point and knew I wanted to somehow work in that field. I was able to get a very good base of knowledge that was far reaching in a lot of different areas. Everything from how to buy your first racehorse, to what the legalities are, marketing, and just all kinds of things.

“I thought it was just a very well-rounded experience.”

An intense four-year track, the Equine Industry Program gives students the professional skills they need to succeed in the horse industry covering equine economics, marketing and law, among other topics. Small class sizes are emphasized along with individualized advising.