Lexington’s Sister Cities
To Breeders’ Cup, headquartered in Lexington and with countries around the world participating in their
World Championship races annually, it was only natural that they sponsor a horse for each of Lexington’s four
Sister Cities: Deauville, France; County Kildare, Ireland; Shinhidaka, Japan; and Newmarket, England. These
horses were incorporated into Horse Mania 2022 to celebrate the Breeders’ Cup World Championship’s return to
Keeneland and LexArts’ 50th Anniversary.
Created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International promotes peace and prosperity
through citizen diplomacy. It does so by creating opportunities that bring people of different cultures together
to connect and form friendships. There is usually a shared industry or passion between the communities that
are “twinned” even though they are thousands of miles away. Since its inception, Sister Cities International has
united tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in 150 countries on six continents.
The Thoroughbred industry is the ‘shared passion’ amongst our four sister cities and Lexington. Through
these bonds of equine familiarity, everyday citizens – not just politicians and diplomats – can strive for a world
where different cultures can understand, appreciate and celebrate their similarities and differences while building
new partnerships.
Deauville became Lexington’s first Sister City in 1957. Lexington and Deauville are both recognized as centers
of the Thoroughbred industry in their countries. County Kildare became Lexington’s second Sister City in
1984, furthering the connections Lexington was making with cities dedicated to the horse all over the world.
Shinhidaka, Japan and Lexington have been Sister Cities since 1988. Shinhidaka is home to the largest sales
pavilion for auctioning horses in Japan, as well as many thoroughbred farms. Newmarket, England became
Lexington’s Sister City in 2003. Newmarket is the birthplace of Thoroughbred horse racing.
Deauville became Lexington’s first Sister City in 1957. Lexington and Deauville are
both recognized as centers of the Thoroughbred industry in their countries.
County Kildare became Lexington’s second Sister City in 1984, furthering the connections Lexington
was making with cities dedicated to the horse all over the world.
Shinhidaka, Japan and Lexington have been Sister Cities since 1988. Shinhidaka is home to the
largest sales pavilion for auctioning horses in Japan, as well as many Thoroughbred farms.
Newmarket, England became Lexington’s Sister City in 2003. Newmarket is the birthplace of
Thoroughbred horse racing.
