Keeneland Race Course opened in 1936 and has been helping create memories ever since. It’s a wonderful place for families and kids of all ages will enjoy a visit. You can visit during race meets (held each April and October) or stop by other times during the year just to explore and take some photos. The Keeneland Kids Club offers special events for members throughout the year and it’s FREE!
I have many memories of Keeneland racing as a child. My father was in the horse business and we would visit during every meet. We would perch on the rail to watch the horses thunder past, enjoy a close up view from the paddock, taste fresh burgoo, and so much more. It’s been wonderful to take my kids and I enjoy making memories with them now. We’ve especially enjoyed the Kids Club events like Breakfast with Santa and Buckles!
Racing
Keeneland Race Meets held each April and October are open to the public. You can go on the cheap and grab general admission tickets.
- $5 per person
- Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
- General admission does not include seating. Park benches are available trackside at a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Post time for the first race is 1:05 pm. Races begin approximately every half an hour.
Other ticket options include dining reservations or clubhouse tickets (only available for purchase by a Keeneland Club Member).
Sunrise Trackside is held every Saturday during the race meeting. See early morning horse workouts on the track, have breakfast ($8 for anyone age 4 and up), enjoy children’s activities, participate in Q & A with jockeys and more.
| Activity | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast with the Works | 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast in the trackside Equestrian Dining Room. |
| Children’s Activities | 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Visit the Kids Club Corner for free children’s activities, including photos in jockey silks, face painting and more; adjacent to the Equestrian Dining Room. Sign up for the Keeneland Kids Club and meet Kids Club mascot, Buckles. |
| Tours | 7:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Fans may take a guided walking tour of Keeneland. Tour groups will depart from the welcome wagon in the Paddock. |
| Paddock Demo | 9:00 a.m. | A live educational equine demonstration takes place in the saddling paddock, featuring a new guest each Saturday.
|
| Handicapping Seminar | 11:30 a.m. | Trackside handicapping seminar with Expert Handicapper Katie Gensler. |
| Jockey Q&A | 12:05 p.m. | Q&A with featured jockey in the Walking Ring. |
Tours
For guests interested in learning about the history of Keeneland and wanting an insider view of operations for both racing and sales, guided walking tours are available. This outside walking tour with an experienced Tour Guide takes guests through the Keeneland Paddock and Grandstand, grounds, and when available, to the world-renowned Sales Pavilion. Following the trackside tour, fans are invited to visit the Keeneland Library, one of the world’s largest repositories of information related to the Thoroughbred.
Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the Keeneland Welcome Center for $8 per person; children 12 and under are free. Tours will be limited to 25 people, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Our tour lasts for one hour and largely takes place outside – rain or shine. For your comfort, we ask that you dress for the weather and wear appropriate shoes for walking/standing/climbing stairs. Please check in at the Welcome Center, just outside of the Grandstand South Entrance located at the top of parking row 7 by 8:20 a.m. ET.
During the race meets in April and October, tours are available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tours are not available on all major holidays.
Oaks and Derby Weekend
You can visit for Oaks Day or Derby Day and enjoy an amazing atmosphere of fun and excitement! For those wanting a casual, outdoor experience come early and watch live coverage from Churchill Downs while enjoying a picnic or food from the open air grills in the Keeneland paddock and grandstand area. General admission on Derby Day is just $5; free on Oaks Day.
Kids Club
The Keeneland Kids Club is a FREE club for kids ages 12 and under. Free membership benefits include the following:
Official Keeneland Kids Club personalized membership pass
Special offers and invitations to Kids Club exclusive events
Birthday card from Buckles, the Keeneland Kids Club mascot
We have loved the Kids Club events and have fun being at Keeneland for fun outside of racing. Kids can enjoy Breakfast with Buckles and Santa, an Easter Egg Hunt, as well as events within the community and during race meets.
