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Collegiate Opportunities at Keeneland


Keeneland’s collegiate opportunities provide students with a diverse program that affords immersive opportunities to learn about Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry. The program fosters strong, professionally well-rounded candidates toward a goal of creating lifelong fans of Thoroughbred racing. 

Internships

Why become a Keeneland intern?

Keeneland internships enable college students with a specialized focus to receive unique access and concentrated experience in their field of study through hands-on engagement and mentoring from skilled team leaders.

Eligible candidates must:

  • be enrolled in a Kentucky college or university;
  • hold the status of sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student; and,
  • be available to work at Keeneland at least 2 days per week.
  • Keeneland internships are paid positions.

    Internship applications for the ‘23-’24 academic year are now closed.

    Internship Opportunities

    Administrative Services

    The Administrative Services intern will assist the Administrative Services Print Manager and Director with planning and executing printed materials needed for racing, sales and event spaces at Keeneland. This intern will gain in depth insight into what it takes to turn creative requests into tangible items needed for the success of our operations.

    Catering & Hospitality

    The Catering & Hospitality intern will be exposed to all aspects of food/beverage operations related to a race meet. This intern will also learn all aspects of the catering business related to thoroughbred racing, including planning, operations, customer service and day-to-day operations.

    Communications

    The Communications intern will gain broad experience in reporting and newswriting, communications, public relations, and media relations during Keeneland’s prestigious Thoroughbred race meets and auctions. Students will assist with press box operations, interviews, record keeping, writing/proofing press releases and more.

    Community Relations

    The Community Relations intern will be responsible for assisting full-time staff through hands on coordination, planning and execution - with focus on Patron Experience, Fan Development through Promotions during Race Meets and Patron Operations throughout the year.

    Facilities

    The Facilities intern will receive an inside look at how a racetrack and large equine farm operates behind the scenes. Successful candidates will learn how to read and interpret utility and construction plans, work within and lead small teams, coordinate projects with multiple departments, and provide support to our Mechanical, Electrical, and Trades Departments.

    Finance

    The Finance intern will be an integral part of the finance team and will assist the team in the day to day accounting and finance needs of Keeneland.  The finance intern will gain experience in the accounting and finance role within the horse racing and equine sales industry.

    Horsemen Relations

    The Horsemen Relations intern will be integrated into the planning, setup, execution, and tear down of events and activations related to racing and sales clientele. This position will assist in creating memorable impressions on our clients, ensuring that they experience exceptional service and hospitality at every touchpoint.

    Human Resources

    The Human Resources intern will work closely with the full-time staff to help conceptualize, coordinate and carry out hiring events before the Race Meets while supporting employee engagement initiatives and activities throughout the year. 

    Library Sciences

    The Keeneland Library is the world’s largest repository for Thoroughbred research.  The library intern will assist with research requests and completing specialized cataloging and processing projects.  Interns will gain valuable experience in collections and records management in a specialized library and archives. 

    Marketing

    The Marketing intern will assist the marketing team in planning, organizing and supporting multifaceted, multi-channel marketing projects specific to Thoroughbred sales, racing and special events. Will also assist with the Keeneland website, social media support and sponsorships.

    Marketing Video

    The Marketing Video Intern will assist the digital marketing team in planning, organizing, and creating video content for Keeneland’s social media channels during Keeneland’s live events and throughout the year. This internship includes the filming, editing, and producing of video content.

    Patron Operations

    The Patron Operations intern will collaborate with the Patron Operations Manager to organize logistics for the race meet and off-season, and assist in managing parking operations including vendor coordination and promotional activities. This intern will gain valuable experience while assisting in day-to-day operations during the race meet and off-season. 

    Retail

    This Retail intern will be provided with a unique opportunity to work closely with exclusive premier brands, to gain experience with the merchandising, planning and buying process, and to gain exposure to the daily shop operations.

    Ticket Office

    The Ticket Office intern will be exposed to all aspects of ticket operations, using the Etix ticketing system. Students will learn all aspects of ticketing for thoroughbred racing, including customer service management, day-to-day operations, and race day management.

    Track Maintenance

    The Track Maintenance intern will gain valuable experience with people, equipment and methods that make Keeneland one of the safest racetracks in the United States.  Career opportunities and advancement are available at racetracks all over the country for individuals that embrace state of the art testing and methods that have been adopted by the Keeneland Track Maintenance Crew.

    Special Events

    The Special Events intern will assist the special events team with planning and executing events during live racing and non-racing seasons, including assisting with weddings, corporate events, and race day hospitality.

    College Ambassador Program Presented By Lane’s End

    Why become a Keeneland Ambassador?

    The Keeneland Ambassador Program provides college students with an introduction to Keeneland and the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of exciting opportunities and potential career paths in the Thoroughbred industry. 

    Eligible candidates must:

  • be enrolled in a Kentucky college or university; and,
  • hold the status of sophomore, junior, or senior.
  • Ambassadors complete various programming and activations throughout the year starting in August and concluding in May and are offered a flexible schedule.

    Keeneland Ambassadors are paid positions.

    Ambassador applications for the ’24-’25 academic year are now closed.

    AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Curriculum Overview

    Race Meet

    During Keeneland’s Spring and Fall race meets, Ambassadors assist the Patron Experience team with onsite promotional activations including but not limited to: College Scholarship Day, Make-A-Wish Day, Heroes Day, Kids Club Family Day, Sunrise Trackside and a variety of other events.

    Annual Events

    Year round Ambassadors have the opportunity to assist the Patron Experience team with execution of community events including but not limited to: Brunch with Buckles, Derby Day Kids Club Event, University of Kentucky Basketball and Football Activations, and more.

    Thoroughbred Sales

    Keeneland is the world's largest Thoroughbred auction house. Ambassadors are invited to participate in behind-the-scenes experiences from the Keeneland side of operations and hospitality during the September Sales. In partnership with Amplify Horse Racing, during the November Sales, Ambassadors will go behind the scenes in the barns, repository and much more! 

    Educational Programming

    Keeneland is at the heart of the Thoroughbred industry, and Keeneland ambassadors have the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational, interactive and career development opportunities throughout the year. Opportunities are, but not limited to, behind-the-scenes experiences during racing, one-on-one shadowing with a variety of departments, community partner panels, tours and much more! 

    Where Are They Now?


    charles churchill

    Charles Churchill

    Track Maintenance Intern 2021, University of Kentucky

    "During my time at Keeneland, I had the opportunity to organically be introduced and explore the Thoroughbred racing industry by assisting with thought-provoking projects and meaningful assignments."

    Current Role: Project Manager of Racing Operations at 1/ST Racing and Gaming

    Sidney Boots

    BETologist, Sales Business Center Associate, Ambassador 2016-2018, University of Kentucky

    "My work experiences at Keeneland immersed me in many facets of the Thoroughbred industry and gave me knowledge that is valuable in my career today. These opportunities also allowed me an incomparable chance to network with industry professionals who I am fortunate to now call my peers."

    Current Role: Sales Data Operations Analyst at Keeneland

    Hayden Wilson

    Ambassador 2021-2022, Keeneland Hospitality intern 2022-2024, University of Kentucky

    “Having the opportunity to work at Keeneland has been nothing short of an unbelievable and prestigious experience. Learning the Thoroughbred Industry, and obtaining lifelong connections leaves me forever indebted to the Keeneland Association. I am very grateful to be a small part of something so special.”

    Current Role: Patron Operations Associate

    Sheyla Resendiz

    Sheyla Resendiz

    Ambassador 2019 – 2021, Bluegrass Community & Technical College

    "I loved being one of the many ambassadors that contributed new ideas to improve this great program and the connections made have been very beneficial to my career."

    Current Role: WinStar Farm, Yearling Division

    2024-2025 Interns

    2024 interns
    Administrative Offices InternSamantha Versocki; University of Louisville
    Catering & Hospitality InternHolly Burwig; University of Kentucky
    Communications InternSara Fouts; University of Kentucky
    Finance InternMadeline Gabhart; University of Kentucky
    Horsemen Relations InternMcKenzie Krift; University of Kentucky
    Human Resources InternAddyson Mitchell; University of Kentucky
    Library Sciences InternErika Williams; Transylvania University
    Marketing Video InternAllie Pennington; University of Kentucky
    Retail InternEthan DeLapp; University of Kentucky
    Sales Finance InternBarrett Diebold; University of Kentucky
    Special Events InternMegan Leibold; University of Kentucky
    Sponsorship InternSydney Stephens; University of Kentucky
    Ticket Office InternConnor Justice; University of Kentucky

    2024-2025 Ambassadors

    2024 ambassadors
    Abby ManningUniversity of Kentucky
    Anastasia PanaretosUniversity of Kentucky
    Brady SteeleUniversity of Kentucky
    Catesby ClayCentre College
    Ethan RansdellUniversity of Kentucky
    Evie ClareMidway University
    Giovanni RicardoUniversity of Kentucky
    Jake ConradUniversity of Kentucky
    Kathryn ReamsEastern Kentucky University
    Maggie MooreUniversity of Kentucky
    Marguerite JohnsonUniversity of Kentucky
    Palak PatelUniversity of Kentucky
    Raegan PetersonUniversity of Kentucky
    Savannah KriftUniversity of Kentucky
    Sydney RichmondUniversity of Kentucky
    Stacy SanchezUniversity of Kentucky
    Taylor FranklinUniversity of Kentucky
    Ty WimsattUniversity of Louisville
    William SampsonUniversity of Kentucky
    Zoe BrownUniversity of Kentucky

    Contact Us


    Have a question or want to learn more? Email [email protected]

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