Lexington, Kentucky is set for its time to shine once again as the host site of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This year a variety of events are being held around Lexington to showcase the many things that Kentucky has to offer.
Check out some of our favorites – for travelers and locals alike!
Go on a Horse Country Tour
What better way to prepare for the races than to meet some of the past or future contenders? Here at Horse Country we offer tours of top stud farms, nurseries, veterinary clinics and more! These tours are great opportunities to learn more about Kentucky’s equine industry, and the many things that go into caring for and producing a quality horse.
For those looking to meet past champions, we recommend one of our stud farm tours, as well as Gainsborough Farm and Mill Ridge Farm. More of a hands on, boop some noses kind of person? Our nursery farms and aftercare facilities are the best place to get up close and personal with horses. For the person who has seen it all, check out one of our equine care facilities (training center, racetrack, veterinary clinic and feed mill) and get the inside scoop on the many things that contribute to a healthy horse.
Check out all of the available Breeders’ Cup week tours here, and be sure to utilize the filters to find the most up to date availability for your preferred date and time.
Visit Keeneland Racecourse
Keeneland Racecourse, home of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, offers a couple of options for guests wanting to learn more about the event. Looking for an in-depth look at what it takes to host the World Championships of Thoroughbred horse racing? We recommend the Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Experience, a two hour tour that takes guests through the Clubhouse and Grandstand to watch morning workouts, visits the Rice Road barn area that is otherwise closed to the general public and closes with a visit to the Keeneland Library.
Keeneland will be open to the public for morning workouts from approximately 5:30 – 10 a.m. each morning through Thursday, Nov. 3. Keep an eye out for Breeders’ Cup contenders by looking for horses with numbered saddle towels during morning training, the Breeders’ Cup app has an inclusive list of these saddle towels.
The Keeneland Library is open Monday through Thursday of Breeders’ Cup week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., allowing guests to view the storied history and archives housed in the library. A special exhibit showcasing the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, and Central Kentucky connections to the Breeder’s Cup, is available to view through December.
Celebrate with the Breeders’ Cup Festival
Celebrate the return of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to its birthplace, Central Kentucky, with an array of events around Lexington. The Post Position Draw will be held on Oct. 31 at Rupp Arena, with doors opening at 2 p.m. University of Kentucky Basketball Coach John Calipari will be joined by the UK marching band, cheerleaders and dance team to ensure guests get an authentic Rupp Arena experience. Kentucky’s native spirit will be celebrated throughout the Kentucky Bourbon Showcase at Greyline Station on Nov. 2 – Nov. 4. Taste a variety of Kentucky Bourbons and local food while enjoying musical entertainment and more. The historic Kentucky Theatre will honor the history of the horse on the big screen through HORSE, an Equine Film Festival. Seven films will be featured throughout the week, including box office hits like Secretariat and Dreamer, and documentary films like Jockey and Born to Rein that showcase the human and equine personalities that make the Thoroughbred industry unique.
For a listing of all Breeders’ Cup Festival events, visit their website.
Explore the Foodie Scene
While Lexington has historically been known for its fast horses and quality Bourbon, the food scene has grown in recent years to one of the best in the region. Celebrate both the local and international flair of the Breeders’ Cup with the Feeders Cup, taking place across Lexington. Be sure to check out some of the newer restaurants on the Lexington food scene, including East End Tap and Table, Frank and Dino’s, and ItalX. More of a classics person – both in horse races and food? You can’t go wrong with Lockbox, Epping’s on Eastside, Keeneland Track Kitchen, Zim’s Cafe, and The Goose Lexington.
About Horse Country, Inc.
Based in Lexington, Ky, Horse Country is a not-for-profit membership organization that offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the equine industry through tours of member farms, veterinary clinics and other equine attractions in Kentucky. Check out Horse Country on social media: Instagram @visithorsecountry Facebook @visithorsecountry and Twitter @kyhorsecountry. For more information: www.visithorsecountry.com.