Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland

Make-A-Wish Day At Keeneland

Thursday, October 9 marks the 18th year for Make-A-Wish Day® at Keeneland, the culmination of a rewarding experience for a special group of deserving children.

Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for many deserving children. At Keeneland, the children and their families will be treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing all the excitement of a day at the races.

Fans are encouraged to cheer on these children and support Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. They will have the opportunity to help make even more wishes come true by dropping donations near the Keeneland Paddock.

How to Give

It takes a community to make every child’s wish come true. Through donations, volunteering and fundraising, there’s a way for everyone to make a difference for local children and families. To donate, please click the button below; contact Keri Haibach at [email protected]

To learn more about Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, please visit https://oki.wish.org/keeneland

Donate now

Fall 2025 Vignettes

Winston Campbell

Reed Claypool

Elijah Furlong

Ellie Gerwe

Laurie Hart

Averi Kilgore

Catherine Lewis

Millie Mooney

Jameson Parsons

Everly Riggs

Maxson Schuster

In Honor Of John Greely, IV

Founder of Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland

John Greely, IV, a fourth-generation Kentucky Thoroughbred horseman and philanthropist, called Kentucky home his entire life. He loved the bluegrass, thoroughbred racing, and helping those in need. John supported many racing, breeding, and equine aftercare organizations and was instrumental in making Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland.

Through Greely’s leadership, each year, local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. At Keeneland, the children and their families are treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing all the excitement of a day at the races. Several local farms and equine medical facilities sponsor the participating wish kids. Since Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland began, enough has been raised to make dozens of wishes come true for local children with critical illnesses.

Make-A-Wish is grateful for Greely’s passion for wishes and his commitment to making a difference for kids in his community.