We hope you will join us in Horse Country for a week full of #healthyathome Virtual Tours, focusing on Horse Country’s Kentucky Derby connections, memories and stories. Reminders will be posted daily on Horse Country’s Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Author Archives: Horse Country
Derby Winners in Horse Country
Though 2020 has brought challenges that mean the Kentucky Derby won’t be run this coming weekend – on its traditional day of the first Saturday in May – we’re Kentuckians through and through and this week can not not be associated with the greatest two minutes in sport.
We’re known as the Bluegrass, Central Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky….home of KFC and Ale8One and Abe Lincoln’s birth state…but perhaps no moniker is as fitting for our region, especially this time of year, as Horse Capital of the World. So much of what happens at Churchill Downs every spring starts right here in the limestone-rich rolling hills of our region, and very often continues as these athletes begin their breeding careers post-racing.
So we’re looking around, celebrating the many Derby champions who now call Horse Country home. Did you know these guys live right here and are very often visited on Horse Country farm tours? Indeed they’re living their best life just a few miles down the road from where they made Derby history.
2019 – Country House – Blackwood Stables
2018 – Justify – Coolmore America
2017 – Always Dreaming – WinStar
2016 – Nyquist – Godolphin at Jonabell
2015 – American Pharoah – Coolmore America
2013 – Orb – Claiborne
2007 – Street Sense – Godolphin at Jonabell
2000 – Fusaichi Pegasus – Coolmore America
Others in the area….
1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm resides at Old Friends Equine.
2003 Kentucky Derby winner and 1994 Kentucky Derby winner both reside at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Combo Tours in Horse Country: 2-in-1 Tickets
What’s better than one Horse Country tour?! A pre-planned itinerary for two of them! Introducing Combo Tours for 2020 – kicking off with six pairings of our tours: Claiborne + Runnymede, Gainesway + Denali, Spendthrift + Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, Stonestreet + New Vocations, Hallway + Ky Equine Adoption Center, and Coolmore + Blackwood,
We’ve worked to pair these locations up for you and included suggestions for local restaurants to fill out your day. Each Combo Tour has their own availability and schedule – be sure and check out their individual listings, linked in the info below.
Claiborne and Runnymede
Begin your day visiting well-known stallions and Secretariat’s grave at historic Claiborne Farm, where the past meets the present in everyday life. Your afternoon tour at Runnymede Farm will allow you to get up close at a nursery farm, where horses are bred and raised at the oldest working thoroughbred farm in Kentucky. Info and booking about Claiborne + Runnymede Combo Tour here.
Select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays in February, March, September.
Gainesway and Denali
Begin your day visiting mares and foals at Denali Stud, in Paris, a family-owned boutique nursery farm. Your afternoon tour will take you to visit the well-known stallions, unique barn architecture, and pristine landscaping at Gainesway Farm. Info and booking about Denali and Gainesway Combo Tour here. Wednesdays in May.
Spendthrift and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center
Begin your day visiting well-known stallions at historic Spendthrift Farm, home to OMAHA BEACH, MALIBU MOON, and others. Your next tour at Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center will allow you to get up close at an aftercare facility, where retired thoroughbreds are retrained for new careers and adopted to their forever homes. Info and booking about Spendthrift and Secretariat Center Combo Tour here. Select Thursdays in April & May.
Stonestreet and New Vocations
Begin your experience at Stonestreet’s nursery, where their broodmare band produces an average of 80 foals a year. Each foal represents an expression of their unwavering pursuit to cultivate champions. Guests will have the opportunity to see horses up close and personal as they walk through the barns and enjoy a short driving tour through the property on Stonestreet’s dedicated vehicle.
Next, you’ll visit New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption program in the country serving more than 500 horses a year. Here you’ll learn about re-training retired racehorses and the unique work of aftercare in the industry.
This is a special pairing, as Stonestreet donates proceeds from their tour program to New Vocations to support their ongoing work in aftercare. Additionally, Stonestreet entrusts the future careers of their retirees that do not enter their breeding program to New Vocations. Info and booking for the Stonestreet and New Vocations Combo Tour is here. Fridays in April, May & June.
Hallway and KY Equine Adoption Center
Begin your day visiting family-owned Hallway Feeds, who has supplied the feed that has fueled most of racing’s greatest athletes of our time. From there, you’ll visit KY Equine Adoption Center, where you will see and learn just how important things like nutrition is to horses looking for a new home, at Kentucky’s only all-breed horse rescue. Info and booking on Hallway and KY Equine Adoption Center Combo Tour is here. Fridays in June, July, August.
Coolmore and Blackwood Stables
We’ve built the itinerary for you on Mondays in July, August, and October 2020– just enjoy a day in the Land of Legends! Begin your day visiting Blackwood Stables, an olympic-style training facility for the next generation of champions. In the afternoon, this reservation also gains you admittance to legendary breeding farm Coolmore America, whose stallion roster over the years has earned them the moniker Home of Champions. Info and booking for the Blackwood Stables and Coolmore Combo Tour is here. Mondays in July, August and October.
Shuttle Tours in Horse Country
Beep beep! Coming through: Horse Country tours on an electric shuttle!
Six of our member locations now offer experiences with a ride through the farm incorporated. Read on to see which farms can shuttle you around, when they offer the shuttle tours, and how the experiences vary per location. We encourage you to book as you’re ready to be sure there are enough seats for your party!
Need more info? Give us a shout – our concierge team is happy to help! 859-963-1004 or info@visithorsecountry.com
Claiborne Farm
When is it offered? Wednesdays and alternating Fridays/Saturdays at 1PM, April through October.
Is it a separate Shuttle experience? Yes! Claiborne’s Stallion tour is available daily at 10am and 11am and covers the stallion complex only. This bypasses the stallions altogether, covering some of the 3,000 acres of Claiborne’s property, including a visit to a nursery barn for some up close time with mares and foals.
How long does the Shuttle tour last? Approximately 75 minutes.
Where can I book this experience? Claiborne All-Farm Shuttle Tour
Godolphin at Jonabell
When is it offered? At the time of this post publishing, they have April (Weds – Sun) and May (Thurs – Sun) dates available, all at 11am.
Is it a separate Shuttle experience? Yes! While this tour includes both the stallion complex and a ride on the shuttle, there is a one-hour stallion complex-only tour available as well. On the shuttle experience, you’ll visit some broodmares and foals in a nursery barn before heading back to the stallions.
How long does the Shuttle tour last? Approximately two hours.
Where can I book this experience? Jonabell Farm -Stallion + Shuttle Tour
Lane’s End Farm
When is it offered? April through November dates are published, with a regular schedule offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10AM.
Is it a separate Shuttle experience? Yes! While this tour includes both the stallion complex and a ride on the shuttle, there is a one-hour stallion complex-only tour available as well. On the shuttle experience, you’ll see more of this iconic farm and visit some mares and foals.
How long does the Shuttle tour last? Approximately two hours.
Where can I book this experience? The Lane’s End Shuttle Experience
Spendthrift
When is it offered? The shuttle ride at Spendthrift is offered as an optional add-on to the stallion experience at the historic breeding farm. Tours are available for booking end of Feb-June, Fridays and Saturdays (and some select Sundays).
Is it a separate Shuttle experience? No. When you book your Visit Spendthrift Farm stallion tour, you have the option to add on the ride through the farm. The ride through the farm cannot be booked a la carte.
How long does the Shuttle tour last? The shuttle ride is a 30 minute extension of the hour-long stallion tour. If you do both, plan for 90 minutes.
Where can I book this experience? Visit Spendthrift Farm
Spy Coast
When is it offered? Spy Coast offers a robust 5x – per week schedule, twice a day! Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1030AM and 2PM. Also, they add availability during peak seasons. Tour availability for the farm is open for booking now through December 2020!
Is it a separate Shuttle experience? It is not! As a guest of the farm, you visit many parts of their robust sport horse operation; so the standard tour at Spy Coast Farm is conducted via the shuttle.
How long does the Shuttle tour last? It’s about a 90 minute tour at Spy Coast.
Where can I book this experience? Visit Spy Coast Farm
WinStar Farm
When is it offered? At the time of this post publishing, they have April through June available to book. The Shuttle tour is offered those months Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:30AM.
Is it a separate Shuttle experience? Yes! While this tour includes both the stallion complex and a ride on the shuttle, there is a one-hour stallion complex-only tour available as well. On the shuttle experience, you’ll experience breathtaking views of bucolic Woodford County, learning about more of the WinStar history and operation.
How long does the Shuttle tour last? Approximately two hours including the stallion tour.
Where can I book this experience? Jonabell Farm -Stallion + Shuttle Tour
7 Ways to Experience Horse Country in 2020
May 2020 be the year you check off your Kentucky bucket list -and visit the world’s finest farms and equine facilities! Horse Country, now in its fourth full year of offering tours at member locations, has never had such diverse or exciting experiences for fans of all ages and levels of interest. Check out a few recommendations, or build your own itinerary! We can’t wait to see you in Horse Country this year!
From clocker’s tower…
Blackwood Stables is a full-service training, breaking and rehabilitation facility in the heart of Horse Country. Their Olympic style training operation offers a unique experience of a tour – seeing how these athletes train for their career. This is a great complement to other tours, but is exciting on its own too. Kentucky Derby champ Country House (2019) is Blackwood owned and trained.
At sunset…
Spendthrift Farm is among the Horse Country locations offering experiences earlier and later in the day. Their sunrise and twilight photography tours and the Next Level Breeding Experience are now available for booking – look for other unique times from our members coming later in the year!
With a carrot in hand …
Want to get up close with these sweet horse friends? Share a carrot or peppermint? Let us suggest booking an experience at one of our premier nursery farms. With the focus on raising horses, these farms care for the mares and foals – the mamas and babies. As their temperaments are different than stallions, there tend to be more opportunities to pet or feed horses at these locations.
Nursery farms with 2020 availability currently include Keene Ridge, Mill Ridge, Pin Oak, Spy Coast, Stonestreet, and Stone Farm.
From a shuttle …
Several Horse Country locations have added electric shuttles to their tour programs, allowing varied experiences. Spy Coast incorporates it into their standard farm tour, while WinStar, Claiborne , and Godolphin at Jonabell offer stand-alone experiences with shuttles. Recently, Spendthrift has added the option to add on a shuttle ride after their stallion tour. A great way to experience your favorite farms with new eyes and see the landscape that makes our region so special.
Like, or with, an owner…
Iconic American racetrack — right here in Lexington! — Keeneland offers seasonal Owner’s Experiences. This behind-the-scenes look at life at the track when you have a horse racing is pure Kentucky goodness -a unique and lively experience for horse lovers of all levels.
Other Horse Country locations – like Mill Ridge and Runnymede – accept requests for tours led by the farm owner. These private experiences offer an intimate, personal look into the lives of the horsemen who dedicate their lives to the welfare of the animals and the industry.
Like an aftercare pro…
When a horse is done racing, there are myriad ways their careers and lives can go. And so, the time between track and new life is an important one – enter aftercare. Aftercare facilities across the nation have improved the lives of retired racehorses for years, and with the proliferation of organizations accredited by the TAA, owners, trainers and fans have more assurance than ever that these horses are receiving the best care in their transition.
Horse Country members the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center are two such facilities who care for, rehab and rehome horses. Touring these facilities are fun and interactive, and will open your eyes to the realities of finding new homes for retired runners, and the challenges and rewards of such work.
In the company of two Triple Crown champs…
It is the great privilege of our work to be home to not one but two – both! – of the living Triple Crown winners. Coolmore America in Versailles Kentucky claim 2015 and 2018 Triple Crown champs American Pharoah and Justify among their stallions.
Have other favorite studs you want to visit? Our stallion farms offer in depth experiences at the homes of some of racing’s modern day heroes. We invite you to check out these stud farms in 2020: Adena Springs, Airdrie, Claiborne, Coolmore, Gainesway, Godolphin at Jonabell, Lane’s End, Spendthrift, Taylor Made, Three Chimneys, and WinStar.
Other Can’t Miss Tours…
Lexington is known as the Horse Capital of the World – not just because of the horses who live, breed, train, race, and are sold here – but also because of the infrastructure of equine business that so fully support the farms.
Tours of the world’s renowned equine hospitals Hagyard and Rood and Riddle, premier feed mill Hallway Feeds, and auction house Fasig-Tipton are all enriching and enlightening experiences, sharing more information and education about all things equine.
Thanksgiving Week in Horse Country
It’s Thanksgiving! We are certainly thankful for each of you!
Are you hosting friends or family this week in Horse Country? Do you have a few extra days off and want to explore your hometown? Just looking for a way to get out and about? We have tours every day except Thursday this Thanksgiving week, and we’d love to have you and your guests visit Horse Country! Click on the experience below to see more + book.
Sunday, November 24
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
Spy Coast Farm 10:30am + 2pm
Mill Ridge Farm 1:30 pm + 3pm
Taylor Made Farm 2pm
Monday, November 25
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
Airdrie 10am
Mill Ridge Farm 10:30am + 1pm
Coolmore at Ashford 2:30pm
Tuesday, November 26
Keeneland Year-Round 8:30am
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
Mill Ridge Farm 1pm
Wednesday, November 27
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
Mill Ridge Farm 10:30am
Thursday, November 28
Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the day!
Friday, November 29
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
Mill Ridge Farm 10:30am + 1pm + 3p
Lane’s End Farm 12:30pm
Saturday, November 30
Keeneland Year-Round 8:30am
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
Taylor Made Farm 10am
Mill Ridge Farm 10:30am + 1pm + 3p
Sunday, December 1
Claiborne Farm 10am + 11am
2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic Connections
The Breeders’ Cup 2019 Longines Classic goes off at 8:44PM EST Saturday November 2 and we are so excited to cheer for the many Horse Country connections who will make the trip!
Math Wizard: Sired by Algorithms, who stands at Claiborne Farm
Owendale: Bred and raised by Stonestreet; Sired by Into Mischief who stands at Spendthrift Farm, Is fed by Hallway Feeds
War Of Will: Sired by War Front, who stands at Claiborne Farm, Is fed by Hallway Feeds.
Yoshida: part-owned by WinStar Farm, LLC
Elate: Sired by Medaglia d’Oro, who stands at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm / bred and owned by Claiborne Farm in partnership
Higher Power: Sired by Medaglia d’Oro, who stands at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, bred by Pin Oak Stud
McKinzie: Sired by Street Sense, who stands at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm
Code Of Honor: Sired by Noble Mission (GB), who stands at Lane’s End, owned and bred by W.S. Farish of Lane’s End
Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, home to Medaglia d’Oro and Street Sense, who have a combined 3 runners in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday, November 2, 2019.
Photo by Mary Speer
“Can’t Miss” October Experiences in Horse Country
October is full of new experiences, elevated experiences, and an increase in tour dates and times. There’s sure to be an experience for everyone!
Taste of Taylor Made
Join us Thursday, October 17th for the Taste of Taylor Made dinner experience. Guests will have the opportunity to expand their taste palette during cocktail hour with a farmhouse style multi course meal following.
Sunrise at Spy Coast Farm
Come share coffee and donuts with Spy Coast to watch an autumn sunrise and get a behind the scenes look at the dedication these sport horses receive
Foal Patrol Meet & Greet With Honors and Honor It
Here’s your chance to meet Foal Patrol star, With Honors and her foal Honor It, residing in Claiborne Farm’s nursery division. All guests receive a souvenir!
Private & Public Tours at Runnymede
More public tour times have been added for October and the farm has added private experiences for up to 10 guests with the option to add an owner led experience. Come visit the oldest continuously operated Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky!
Tours at Fasig-Tipton
Visit North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company and get a behind the scenes look at the auction process. Headquartered here in Lexington, Kentucky, Fasig-Tipton conducts 14 auctions annually from coast-to-coast. Learn more about its distinguished list of sale graduates, which includes 20 Kentucky Derby winners and Triple Crown champions Seattle Slew and American Pharoah.
Keeneland Owner’s Experience
Experience a race day at Keeneland like an owner experience the staging of the Thoroughbreds in the barns followed by pageantry of the Saddling Paddock as the horses make their way into the Paddock, the excitement of seeing “Riders Up” from the Walking Ring and the thrill of thundering hooves from the Winner’s Circle as the horses take the final stretch. This is truly the ultimate experience for a racing
Treasures of the Track
Come experience more of the story of Keeneland, world famous for its Thoroughbred racing and auctions as well as rich chapters of Kentucky history. Our shuttle will take you to a few locations that are important in Keeneland history: Keene Place, the Keene family cemetery, and the award-winning Keeneland Library.
Check out our other fall experiences in Horse Country
We offer experiences in a variety of categories including training, clinic, nursery, aftercare, stud farm, sport horse, and a feed mill.
150th Travers Stakes
The 150th running of Travers Stakes is approaching quickly at Saratoga August 24th. Horse Country Kentucky is well represented in this race as 11 of the contenders are sired from KY. See our connections below – we are wishing them all the best of luck and most importantly for a safe trip.
- Owendale: Sired by Into Mischief who stands at Spendthrift Farm, Is fed by Hallway Feeds.
- Code of Honor: Sired by Noble Mission who stands at Lane’s End Farm. Tacitus: Sired by Tapit who stands at Gainesway Farm.
- Highest Honors: Sired by Tapit who stands at Gainesway Farm.
- Laughing Fox: Sired by Union Rags who stands at Lane’s End Farm, Is fed by Hallway Feeds.
- Everfast
- Tacitus: Sired by Tapit who stands at Gainesway Farm.
- Mucho Gusto: Sired by Mucho Macho Man who stands at Adena Springs.
- Chess Chief: Sired by Into Mischief who stands at Spendthrift Farm.
- Looking At Bikinis: Sired by Looking at Lucky who stands at Coolmore.
- Scars Are Cool: Sired by Malibu Moon who stands at Spendthrift Farm.
- Endorsed: Sired by Medaglia d’Oro who stands at Godolphin Farm. Owned and bred by Godolphin
- Tax: Sired by Arch who stands at Claiborne Farm.
Photo of Medaglia d’Oro taken by Mary Speer
Medaglia d’Oro, who stands at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, was the 2002 Travers Stakes winner and has a runner this Saturday’s Travers Stakes Race in Saratoga, Endorsed.
Photo by Mary Speer
Fall Experiences in Horse Country
Check out the newest additions to our fall calendar
Explore Taylor Made
Join one of their 6 experiences offered including their daily AM tour, Tuesday evening tour, Twilight Tour, California Chrome Experience, and more!
Beholder Meet & Greet
A meet & greet with the Queen of Racing, Beholder is now available. Check out Spendthrift’s other experiences too!
Visit Gainesway
Come out to the home of the great Tapit. The grounds and architecture are sure to add to this stallion focused tour.
Hagyard Fall Tour Dates Now Available
Visit one of the oldest and largest private equine clinics in the world.
Now Offering Daily Tours at Mill Ridge
Join us for close up experiences at Mill Ridge’s nursery farm, close to Keeneland.
Keeneland
Tickets are now available for the fall race meet October 4-26. Add Keeneland’s Year Round Tour or the limited Owner’s Experience Tour to your day at the races.
Check out our other great experiences in Horse Country
We offer experiences in a variety of categories including training, clinic, nursery, aftercare, stud farm, sport horse, and a feed mill.