Keeneland Race Course will once again host its annual Make-A-Wish Day on Oct. 8, in partnership with local Thoroughbred farms and equine facilities.

The annual event serves as a fundraiser that will enable the racetrack to grant the power of a wish come true to nine Kentucky children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions.

Proceeds from the sale of “Wishing at the Races” ticket packages will serve as a major source of fundraising: They are available to the public online for $25, and include a general admission ticket and Keeneland program, reserved grandstand seating, and a limited edition t-shirt designed by a wish kid. Sixty-five percent of all ticket sales will benefit Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry first teamed up to host the event in 2008, and have granted over 60 wishes since the event’s initial run. Several local farms and equine veterinary facilities, such as Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute , act as necessary contributors to the event each year through their sponsorships of the participating wish kids.

The wish families will be the event’s Guests of Honor, spending the morning touring their sponsor’s property, taking a trip to the paddock to meet the Keeneland jockeys, watching their sponsor’s race from the winner’s circle, and presenting the winner with the championship trophy for the race named after their sponsor.

Make-A-Wish relies on the financial support of the local community to grant wishes. For more information on ways to help, visit kentucky.wish.org; call 877/206-9474; and follow Make-A-Wish on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.