Horsemen Relations Intern

Keeneland Association, a world leader in Thoroughbred Racing and the World’s Largest Thoroughbred Auction House, is looking for seasonal assistance for the Spring in the Horsemen Relations department. This position will assist the Horsemen Relations Manager in 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.

TIMELINE

This position will help with preparations and execution for the Sales in September, November, January, and April, Race Meets in October and April, and the Bluegrass Breakfast Derby Activation. Nights and weekends are required during core business times. Specific dates are subject to change.

September Yearling Sale September 9^th September 23^rd

Fall Race Meet October 6^th October 28^th

November Breeding Stock Sale November 5^th November 16^th

January Horses of All Ages Sale January 8^th January 11^th

Spring Race Meet April 5^th April 26^th

April Sale April 26^th (tentative date)

Bluegrass Breakfast April 29^th May 2^nd (tentative dates)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

RACING

• Attend planning meetings for race day horsemen’s hospitality activations to learn how event components come together to create a high-end experience for guests.

• Assemble paddock passes for all stakes races to ensure quick and efficient race day operations for the team and clients on grounds during the Fall Meet.

• Attend to client requests as required throughout a race day.

• Work with the Track Photographer and Horsemen Relations Manager to execute hospitality for the Director’s Room, including bringing the photo of the winning stakes horse to the space and framing in a quick timeline to surprise and delight connections during their celebrations.

• Fill in for Horsemen’s Hospitality staff throughout the meet as needed including in the Stakes Lounge, Blue Grass Room, and Horsemen’s Will Call Window.

• Escort Julep Cup Sponsors to the Winner’s Circle as required throughout the race meet on their sponsored day.

• Work and represent Keeneland at Sales Activations executed in partnership with the Marketing Department.

• Ensure that each Horsemen venue is re-set and presentable before gates open each day.

• Assist in the mailing of the Julep Cups once engraved and completed for undercard and stakes races.

SALES

• Assist Horsemen Relations Coordinator in purchasing, assembly, and delivery of Conference Room Gifting items for those clients indicated by the Sales Team.

• Track the General Gifting Inventory for our Sales Gifting Items, ensuring that the gifting closet par levels are maintained throughout the Sale to ensure client gifting can be executed in a timely and efficient manner.

• Assist in fulfilling gifting requests from the Sales Team and delivering those items where required throughout the Sale.

• Work the Bluegrass Breakfast event check-in stand and assist with any day-of event needs during the activation.

The above is not meant to be an exhaustive list of duties, as additional duties will be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be available on nights and weekends during peak seasons.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Organized, solution oriented, and flexible.

• Strong work ethic and the ability to make judgement calls in important situations.

• Detailed oriented nature to ensure all event components are executed at the highest level.

• Self-starting qualities and the desire to problem solve in a fast-paced setting.

• The ability to see a project to completion and meet deadlines.

• Discretion when working with the high-end Keeneland Sales and Racing clientele.

• Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, and Adobe.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, fingers, and computers; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. This position must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.