Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland

by Amanda Duckworth

The threat of rain could not diminish the smiles of those in attendance of the seventh annual Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland on Thursday. 

Eight Kentucky children were each paired with a local equine industry organization and treated to a VIP day at the races. Before heading to Keeneland, they, along with their families, got to tour the respective farm or business they had been matched with. 

“I really enjoyed the morning,” said 16-year-old Cole, who sponsored by the Frizzy Foundation/Flaxman Holdings. “It was really exciting to see all the land that they had, and my favorite part was going to one of the barns and actually petting some of the horses. That was really cool for me.” 

Later in the day, Cole got to tour the jockeys’ room at Keeneland before presenting a trophy to the winners of the seventh race. His family had hoped the Ramsey horse would win because he was named Coalport, and the 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy came through. 

“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to help out,” said Flaxman’s Kevin Anderson, who spent the day with Cole and his family. “We would like to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation for letting us be a part of this. People within the equine community are very caring people and like to give back to their communities.” 

Two races prior, jockey Julien Leparoux spent some time in the paddock with 8-year-old Jackson, who has Burkitts Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Jackson told him that he wanted a different horse to win than the one Leparoux was riding. When Jackson’s pick came in, Leparoux stopped to congratulate him after the race even though his mount had come in second. The winning horse, Fruit Ludt, reminded Jackson of the cereal Fruit Loops, and he had been excited to see him run all day. 

“These kids have been through so much, but they are still so joyful,” said Alex Riddle, of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, which sponsored Jackson. “It is so exciting to spend time with them and give them an escape from the hardships they have been through. 

“This is a day we look forward to in the office. Everybody puts in a lot of effort, our vets put together gift baskets, and everybody just loves this day. We can celebrate the industry coming together and supporting something bigger than ourselves. It’s nice to be able to give back.” 

Since 2008, Keeneland has teamed up with members of the Thoroughbred community to grant wishes to Kentucky children. Other sponsors of the 2014 event included: Coolmore Farm/Ashford Stud, Gainesway Farm, Springhouse Farm, Darley, Lane’s End, and Shadwell Farm. 

Cole, who has T-Cell Non-Hodgkins Leukemia, actually had his wish to have a membership to Woodhaven Country Club granted this summer but wanted to share his story with others at Keeneland. 

“I agreed to share it because I want people to know there is hope afterward,” he said. “It is really cool to see what Make-A-Wish can do for you.”