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:
Keeneland internships are paid positions.
Internship applications for the ‘23-’24 academic year will be open from March 1 - May 15.
Internship Opportunities
Please click below for more details on each offering and to apply.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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.
*The Library Sciences Internship will not be available for the 24-25 academic year
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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. Apply now.
- 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.
*The Track Maintenance Internship will not be available for the 24-25 academic year
- 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. Apply now.
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:
Ambassadors are used throughout the year and are offered a flexible schedule when needed for programming and activations.
Keeneland Ambassadors are paid positions.
Ambassador applications for the ’24-’25 academic year will be open from March 1 – May 15.
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
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, 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: Keeneland Hospitality Intern
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
Upcoming Events
College Scholarship Day presented by Lane's End | Friday, April 19 |
2023-2024 Interns
Communications Intern | Grace Barrier; University of Kentucky |
Finance Intern | Caden Moggue; University of Kentucky |
Horsemen Hospitality Intern | Trey Monson; University of Kentucky |
Keeneland Hospitality Intern | Hayden Wilson; University of Kentucky |
Library Intern | Erika Williams; Transylvania University |
Marketing Intern | Josephine Gabbard; University of Kentucky |
Patron Experience Intern | Mira Talwalkar; University of Kentucky |
Special Events Intern | Ellie Powell; University of Kentucky |
Ticket Office Intern | Sydney Stephens; University of Kentucky |
2023-2024 Ambassadors
Abigail Sheffield | University of Louisville |
Alexandra Crament | University of Kentucky |
Anaya Ali | University of Kentucky |
Annabelle Ledlow | Midway University |
Ariel Baldon | University of Kentucky |
Ashton Lee | University of Kentucky |
Benjamin "Andrew" Marrs | Morehead State University |
Colton Johnson | University of Kentucky |
Jaida Alee | University of Kentucky |
Kendall White | University of Kentucky |
Marguerite Johnson | University of Kentucky |
Megan Leibold | University of Kentucky |
Olivia Dapolite | University of Kentucky |
Olivia Nunez | University of Kentucky |
Pierce Bergin | University of Kentucky |
Raegan Peterson | University of Kentucky |
Saleeban Farah | University of Louisville |
Samantha Versocki | University of Louisville |
Ty Wimsatt | University of Louisville |
Vanessa Magallanes | University of Louisville |
Contact Us
Have a question or want to learn more? Email [email protected]
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