Cooler weather, colorful autumn scenes, racing at Keeneland… can you tell we’re big fans of Fall? While Horse Country is a great place to visit any time of the year, Fall is particularly special to us.
This season brings a variety of “can’t miss” events, experiences and more, so we’ve put together a guide to Fall in Horse Country to help you build an itinerary for this busy time.
Racing at Keeneland
October means the return of racing at Keeneland! This exciting time of year brings together some of the best racehorses in the country, many of which will go on to compete in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Racecourse in November. Racing begins on Friday, October 4th and runs through Saturday, October 26th, with racing taking place every day except for Mondays and Tuesdays.
Along with racing at Keeneland, we highly recommend heading to the track early in the morning to watch the horses train! Morning training takes place daily from 5:30am-10am, with Sunrise Trackside family and community events taking place each Saturday of the meet from 8am-10am.
We recommend checking out our Guide to Keeneland for a more in depth look at how to make the most of your time at the races.
Horse Country Staff Recommendation: Be sure to head to the Keeneland Track Kitchen to enjoy a homestyle breakfast after watching morning training. It’s a local favorite, and a common spot for horse trainers, jockeys, owners and more to enjoy a coffee!
Tours
Enjoy the autumn weather and colorful trees, while getting up close and personal to some of Kentucky’s friendliest equine residents on a tour in Horse Country.
A few tours are exclusive to October, Gainesway Farm in Lexington and Three Chimneys Farm in Versailles, along with the Stallion Complex Tour at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, which is being held for the first time this fall. Since this is a quiet time of year for stallions, it’s usually a great time to get to see your favorite retired champions like Gun Runner (Three Chimneys Farm), Tapit (Gainesway Farm), Cody’s Wish (Jonabell Farm), Authentic (Spendthrift Farm) and more!
A majority of foals have graduated to their next stage of life as weanlings, spending time with their pasture mates and growing up big and strong and the famed Kentucky Bluegrass! Mares, weanlings and sometimes even yearlings are excited to meet tour guests at farms like Denali Stud, Lane’s End Farm, Mill Ridge Farm, Runnymede Farm and more.
Plus, we recently welcomed two new members to the Horse Country community, BraveHearts Equine Center and McPeek Racing at Magdalena Farm!
Horse Country Staff Recommendation: Not sure which tour to choose? Give us a shout! The Horse Country Concierge team is happy to help craft itineraries or answer any questions you might have. Reach out by email at info@visithorsecountry.com or phone at (859) 963-1004.
Equine Events
There are a variety of equine-centric events taking place this October, some hosted by our Horse Country members.
Outside of the Keeneland Fall Meet, the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover is the most prominent equine event in Kentucky in October. The Thoroughbred Makeover brings together thousands of retired racehorses who have been retrained to excel at new disciplines ranging from show jumping to ranch work, dressage to field hunters and more. The event takes place Oct. 9 – 12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
Two of our non-profit touring partners are hosting events to raise funds that will support their horses as they are trained and eventually transitioned into new careers and homes. The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center is hosting a “Golf Tournament Fore Horses” on October 7th, with more information available here. The Secretariat Center is hosting their annual “Bluegrass Brunch & Bubbles” on October 13th at Fasig-Tipton. Tickets can be purchased here.
Spy Coast Farm is launching the inaugural “EquiConnect: Community Equine Day” on October 19th. The event aims to connect the local community to resources available within the equine industry with many free, family-friendly activities. Learn more here.
Local “Must-Do” Experiences
Fall is a fun time in Kentucky, and not just for horse lovers! We’re often lucky to see beautiful fall colors as the foliage changes and the leaves fall, making it a great time to check out some of the scenic drives around the area. Our personal favorites are Old Frankfort Pike (if you start at its beginning in Lexington, you’ll have a chance to see an incredible statue of Secretariat), and Paris Pike. VisitLEX has put together two great driving tours to make the most of a roadtrip in Lexington, the Regal Traditions and the Parks and Paddocks Driving Tour, which both take you through the heart of Horse Country and pass many of our member locations.
If a day spent outdoors on a hiking trail is more up your alley, Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Lexington is a great escape located not too far out of town. Take a drive east to Red River Gorge to spend the day exploring some of Kentucky’s most famed natural wonders including Natural Bridge State Park.
We couldn’t forget classic fall activities like apple picking and a day at the pumpkin patch! Local orchards like Eckert’s Boyd Orchard, Evan’s Orchard and Cider Mill, and more, make for a great addition to a weekend in Horse Country, thanks to their convenient locations in Versailles and Georgetown, respectively. Be sure to check out this guide from VisitLex for more information on these locations and many more!
Horse Country Staff Recommendation: Head to Downtown Lexington for a bowl of Sawyer’s famous chili, a comforting meal on a cool, autumn day. While you’re there, be sure to go across the street and check out the Downtown Lexington Visitor’s Center, located in the historic old Fayette County Courthouse. Zim’s Cafe and the Thirsty Fox are also must-try spots if you’re in the mood for great food and drinks!