Fifth Grade Field Trips return to Keeneland this Fall and will welcome a total of 2,100 fifth grade students from public and private schools in Fayette County today through Friday to participate in a two-hour interactive tour designed to expand their knowledge of Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. 

“Fifth Grade Field Trips offer students in the area a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with the rich history of Keeneland,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “These tours allow for hands-on experiences on our grounds that help showcase the diversity of careers in racing and get students excited about new possibilities. For many of these students, the tours are their first introduction to Keeneland and their first chance to interact with a horse. Keeneland is grateful to our partners for helping us inspire young minds and share the fascinating world of the Thoroughbred industry with the next generation.”

Approximately 420 students will participate each day in the tour, which will begin at 10 a.m. in the Sales Pavilion with a welcome by Keeneland Senior Director of Community Relations Kara Heissenbuttel. Students then will watch a video about Keeneland and participate in a mock Thoroughbred auction. Next is a tour of themed educational stations around the grounds, where students will learn more about Keeneland and facets of the Thoroughbred industry. Through this immersive experience, Keeneland hopes to impart students with a deeper awareness of how special it is to call the “Horse Capital of the World” home. 

Every student will receive a book titled “Racing & Sales” with information about Keeneland, the history of Thoroughbred racing in Lexington, the life of a Thoroughbred, the economic impact of Kentucky’s Thoroughbred industry and more. Pages include QR Codes for more information.

Keeneland’s partners for the event are Amplify Horse Racing; Godolphin; Hooves of Hope; Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; Kentucky Derby Museum; Life Adventure Center; Locust Trace AgriScience Center, part of Fayette County Public Schools; North American Racing Academy, affiliated with Bluegrass Community and Technical College; and Visit Horse Country.