Picture this ... sprawling green pastures as far as the eye can see, dotted with majestic Thoroughbreds and historic estates that whisper tales of champions past. Imagine an area rich in its American history roots and home to future Thoroughbred world champions, Kentucky Derby winners, Olympic jumpers, and world-class bourbon. Take the leap into a world of Thoroughbred racing, bourbon sipping, and Southern hospitality that makes Kentucky’s Horse Country a destination like no other.

Lexington’s first official racetrack opened in 1789, laying the groundwork for an obsession that would capture the hearts of millions. Later, while the Civil War raged on, Kentucky's Thoroughbreds played a crucial role in both military and civilian life. Many horses from the region were requisitioned for cavalry units on both sides of the conflict, showcasing the speed, agility, and stamina that had become synonymous with Kentucky-bred horses. These equine warriors carried soldiers into battle, traversed treacherous terrain, and served as indispensable companions to those fighting for their respective causes.  

Interestingly, despite the turmoil of war, horse racing in Kentucky persisted, providing a temporary escape from the grim realities of the battlefield, offering a brief respite from the hardships of wartime existence.

Today while driving through Lexington, Paris, Midway, and Versailles — with your head on a swivel — you may catch a glance of famous stallions prancing in the paddock between breeding sessions or mares teaching their foals how to embrace the sweetness of the bluegrass.

Zenyatta, 20, at Lane's End (Nicole Kaye photo)

Although these farms are widespread throughout Central Kentucky, one company has the key to each gate: Visit Horse Country is your access to these regal and grand farms.

By visiting the Horse Country website you can set up private tours or tours within a group. Horse Country offers an array of locations from famous stallion farms like Lane’s End, Spendthrift, and Coolmore to a visit with retired runners at New Vocations. The tour guides at Visit Horse Country have all the facts and experience to enhance your trip to Kentucky.

Recently, Visit Horse Country hosted the 20th birthday party for Hall of Famer Zenyatta. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 2010 Horse of the Year, Queen Z celebrated her 20th birthday at Lane’s End alongside 20 lucky ticket purchasers and an array of media. Zenyatta noticed the cameras and posed majestically for the repetitive clicks with intermittent hiatuses for mints and other treats.  

Visiting the farms is only one part of a fun filled trip to the greater Lexington area. Here are some MUST SEE & DOS around Lexington as well as when visiting other racetracks in Kentucky.

STALLION FARMS

Make a list of stallions you would like to see before booking your tours, note the farm and set up the tour accordingly with Visit Horse Country.

Coolmore's Ashford Stud (Nicole Kaye photo)

Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud is home to some of the most famous Thoroughbreds of our time like Triple Crown winners Justify and American Pharoah, along with some father-son duos like Uncle Mo and Mo Town. Michael Norris, Nomination-Sales at Coolmore, has traveled the world working in the Thoroughbred industry and is a living encyclopedia of worldwide breeding and racing knowledge. A tall gentleman with an Irish accent, he is hard to miss on the tour. If possible, take a moment to get to know Norris and pick his brain. He is more than willing to share his insights, but one of his colleagues, the stallion manager responsible for feed and supplements for the stallions for the past 40 years at Coolmore, keeps things more close to the vest. According to Norris, the stallion manager has been very influential to his own growth, but he does keep some 40-year-old secrets. Norris said with a laugh, “That is certainly one way for job security.”

Spendthrift Farm and Godolphin have the nicest, newest visitor centers. If you are looking for a keepsake from your trip after meeting Into Mischief, who has a current fee of $250K, Spendthrift’s visiting center offers something for everyone. Nicole and Kendall, who are both on the marketing and experience team at the farm, are young and eager to enlighten visitors on their tour through Spendthrift.

Cody's Wish at Godolphin (Nicole Kaye photo)

Spendthrift has an array of tour options based on what you would like to see: stallions, weanlings and yearlings, or mares and foals. Check Visit Horse Country to book the correct tour. Spendthrift offers interactions with some of the industry’s up-and-coming stallions like Authentic, Jackie’s Warrior, Forte, and Omaha Beach. 

When visiting Godolphin, the visitor’s center is a massive collection of memorabilia highlighting their global success, with nearly every Grade or Group 1 trophy from all over the world. Jim Cox, director of sales and marketing at Godolphin, is the key to an enjoyable time there. Cox brings years of experience and knowledge with a positive, radiant personality to your time at Godolphin. Cox knows the ins and outs of one of the world’s largest Thoroughbred racing-breeding operations. He offers fun facts, recalls funny stories, and will help you get the right photo.

A must see on that tour is new stallion Cody’s Wish, the fan favorite with a heartfelt story who ended his career with a memorable repeat win in the 2023 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK

Set aside an entire day when visiting this lustrous park. You can find horses of all breeds, shapes, sizes, and colors. The Kentucky Horse Park even offers a year-round campground that is pet friendly, which makes this a perfect family vacation destination. The park displays past horse racing champions like Accelerate and Roy H, a two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner. There are multiple cafes and a gift shop to keep everyone fueled and ready for the next excursion. During the summer months you can catch a glimpse of the Breeds Barn shows. All breed representatives perform in colorful attire that evokes the culture, time period, and customs of the horses’ native land. Each show will display at least four to six different breeds where you are able to have a Q&A post performance to learn more details. On any given weekend at the park, you will find attractions including horse shows, rodeos, festivals, museum exhibits, shopping, and more!

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL

Head to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website and choose your destination(s) from a large selection of distilleries on offer or book one of the exclusive experiences. On these one-stop tour packages there is something for everyone, and thankfully driving is not on the itinerary. There are three major entities for you to choose from when looking into transportation: Mint Julep Experiences, Pegasus Distillery Experiences, and Kentucky Bourbon Boys all offer a different journey through the greater Lexington area including horse farms, southern comfort food, and much more.

RACETRACKS

You will find a slew of racetracks in Kentucky, some in season and some housing horses as a training center while the track is not running. Waking up early is worth it for this scene, as you drive past the historical Calumet Farm and its vast acreage with seemingly no end in sight to find the gates to Keeneland Race Course.

Morning workouts at Keeneland. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Arrive around 6-7 a.m. in order to see horses breeze on a fresh track at Keeneland. While not all horses will be putting in a workout, watching horses gallop and hearing their breathing and hooves pounding is exhilarating. Some riders may take their horse over for a pet while ponies and outrider horses are looking for a peppermint or baby carrot … so come fully equipped!

Keeneland is one of many active tracks in Kentucky, and due to its close proximity to Churchill Downs you can visit both in the same day if you wake up early enough, or save some of the thrill for the next day.

A view of the Twin Spires and new paddock at Churchill is worth an early alarm clock. The closer you visit to Kentucky Derby day, the more colorful and vibrant the track will look. Watching the Derby horses put their final workouts in is a big tradition for the racing media and avid racing fans. Whether you like to watch from the rail or time workouts from the second level, there are no bad seats at Churchill Downs.

Through the winter in Kentucky, you’ll find Turfway Park in Florence, just outside Cincinnati, to be a good time under the lights with some of the country’s biggest trainers shipping in to race on the all-weather Tapeta Footings surface.

During the summer months from July 4 through Aug. 26 Ellis Park is open and running in Henderson, Ky., and though not as popular as Churchill Downs or Keeneland, there is still a good time to be had at Ellis.

Kentucky Downs is a rare American boutique meet. The only all-turf flat racing Thoroughbred track in North America, Kentucky Downs is known for its beautiful course and rowdy tailgates. Some of the world’s best turf horses will run the grassy hills of Kentucky Downs as thousands look on from the ground level as the track lacks a normal grandstand. Attending race days at Kentucky Downs will bring you back to the mindset of how racing could have only been in the 1800s. Packing for this meet should include lawn chairs, coolers, and comfortable shoes. This isn’t like a day in Saratoga Springs adorned with fancy dresses and hats; it’s a respectful nod to the horsemen and equine athletes in our sports’ history. 

From the legendary battlegrounds of the Civil War to the present-day splendor of world-class stallion farms, Kentucky’s allure is timeless. Whether indulging in the elegance of a Thoroughbred race or savoring the warmth of a Kentucky bourbon, every moment spent in the Bluegrass State is a testament to the enduring legacy of tradition and hospitality. Whether you arrive by air or embark on a scenic drive, the charm of Kentucky’s horse country awaits, promising an experience like no other.