LEXINGTON, Ky. — Approximately 2,600 fifth grade students from 32 Fayette County public and private schools are visiting Keeneland this week for an annual educational program designed to introduce them to Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry and the career opportunities it offers.

The Fifth Grade Field Trips run through Friday, with about 500 students participating in two-hour interactive sessions each day. Students begin at 10 a.m. in the Sales Pavilion, where they watch an introductory video about Keeneland before participating in a mock Thoroughbred auction.

"Fifth Grade Field Trips give students the opportunity to experience Keeneland in a way they can't get from a textbook," said Kara Heissenbuttel, Keeneland's Senior Director of Community Relations. "They're learning about horses and racing, but they're also discovering the many people, businesses and career opportunities that make the Thoroughbred industry such an important part of Kentucky."

The program features 10 interactive learning stations staffed by industry partners including the North American Racing Academy, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the Kentucky Derby Museum, Godolphin, and Visit Horse Country. Topics range from jockey preparation and equine veterinary medicine to the economics of horse racing and the life cycle of a racehorse.

Each student receives a book titled "Racing & Sales" containing information about Keeneland's history, Thoroughbred racing in Lexington, and the economic impact of Kentucky's horse industry. The book includes QR codes linking to additional resources.

For many students, the field trips mark their first encounter with horses and first visit to Keeneland. The program aims to expose young people to potential career paths while deepening their understanding of a signature Kentucky industry.