INTRODUCTION
Keeneland Builds on a Philanthropic Mission Keeneland continues to honor its mission that dates to its founding in 1936 to support the Central Kentucky community and work for the betterment of the Thoroughbred industry. Through a blend of financial and in-kind sponsorships, Keeneland benefits a number of local civic and charitable organizations with a focus on health and human services, education, arts and culture. Keeneland takes a leadership role in the horse industry by advancing safety and welfare, funding equine-related research and promoting various initiatives such as fan education and outreach. In 2021, Keeneland, often teaming with sponsors and racing-related partners, employed special events to fulfill its goals of helping to enhance the quality of life in the community and state.
the race meets. Kentucky Utilities and Keeneland donated $5,000 to Black Soil KY to support the organization’s successful area programs. • Sales from the Keeneland Spring Lager, a collaboration with Country Boy Brewing of Lexington, benefited Blue Grass Farms Charities’ Back to School Backpack Program, which provides supplies for nearly 1,000 children whose parents work in Keeneland’s stable area or on Central Kentucky horse farms. • Keeneland’s popular College Scholarship Days Presented by Lane’s End awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships and prize packages provided by Lexington businesses.
• The Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden was designated as Keeneland’s featured charity during the Spring Meet. The park near downtown Lexington is the first in the U.S. to honor the earliest African American professional athletes: Thoroughbred jockeys. Proceeds from sales of the 2021 commemorative Maker’s Mark Bourbon® bottle in partnership with Keeneland were earmarked to benefit LexArts and for the placement of a permanent art installation by artist LaVon Van Williams Jr. and for future programming within the park. • Military Day Presented by UPS featured a POW-MIA Chair of Honor to raise awareness of past and current POWMIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5. UPS and Keeneland contributed $2,500 to the POWMIA program.
• Toyota, sponsor of the Toyota Blue Grass, and Keeneland made a $10,000 donation in support of Nourish Lexington, founded in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to use displaced hospitality employees to provide more than 160,000 meals to those in need.
• Members of the Keeneland jockey colony joined retired riders for an autograph session that raised $6,372 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
• On Make-A-Wish Day, Keeneland teamed with local Thoroughbred farms and organizations to grant wishes for 10 deserving children, who, along with their families, enjoyed a VIP day at the races during the Fall Meet. More than $8,000 was raised from fans who placed donations in the “Wishing Well” near the Keeneland Paddock.
• Heroes Day Presented by Rubicon honored members of the military and first responders and their families with free general admission, a spectacular flag unfurling on the main track and special recognitions and remembrances throughout the day. Keeneland and Rubicon donated $5,000 to the Fraternal Order of Firefighters.
• Keeneland teamed with Black Soil KY, an agritourism enterprise that fosters a greater market share for Black farmers in Kentucky, on strategic initiatives during
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• Keeneland partnered with race sponsors to support community and horse industry initiatives. Juddmonte and Keeneland donated $10,000 to the Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program. Maker’s Mark and Keeneland contributed $10,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Lexus and Keeneland donated $5,000 to The MAP Foundation to benefit the Woodhill Community Center.
2022 Keeneland Media Guide | Introduction
Rev. 3/7/22 ®
