Wondering if anyone had any advice/ experiences visiting thoroughbred farms around the ky horse park/ keeneland area. I am really wanting to visit lanes end because of all of the retirees/studs they have, and maybe calumet or claibourne. Any others or any experiences you can share would be great Posted via Mobile Device
those farms are typically very private. i dont know of any that just let you come on the farm and "see" things. they are all very meticulouisly gated and have shrubs on exterior fencelines. i aint saying its impossible. but good luck. i used to foal on the big horse farms and i'd have a different gate code every week.
A lot of them will give tours though. I know lanes end will. I'm going during September though, and I know for sure know they won't do it during the yearling sales. Might have to go a week earlier Posted via Mobile Device
I'm sure it would be a relatively generic tour... But that's cool enough!
Do you want to do your own touring or would you be intersted in the organized "bus" type tours? There are several companies in the area down there that provide such a service.
I would highly, highly recommend a trip to WinStar Farm. You can definitely schedule an appointment to see their stallion barn. They tend to keep the mares and foals off-limits, but the stallion barn is definitely a treat in itself.
I had the great pleasure of having a complete farm tour last year, including the training barn, broodmares, and, my favorite, meeting Tiznow, Distorted Humor, Harlan's Holiday and Super Saver. Tiznow was a real puppy dog and mugged for mints the whole time I was standing there with him (of course, with his groom standing right there too )
Literally right across the street is Hopewell Farm. The last time I was there, they were standing a gorgeous grey stallion named Skip Away, who won $9 million in his racing career. When I was there they also had The White Fox who is a camera hog.
While you are here, you should also look into some of the Saddlebred Farms. They are generally always willing to give tours(we like to show off as much as our horses do) and most in the Lexington area are just as nice.
Mmm... Skip away and tiznow... I am drooling. I really want to see thunder gulch. I think he's at coolmore/Ashland. I don't really want to do the bus tour deal . Thank you guys for the input!! One day is for the horse park for sure. One day will be set aside for my racehorse obsession . Haven't planned the rest Posted via Mobile Device guess I'm going to the red mile too!!
Claiborne is excellent. Met a bunch of huge name stallions there. I tried to see Storm Cat (my mare's grandsire), but their farm went through a dispersal and they couldn't let anyone on the property to see him.
Send the farms you want to visit a quick email, the worst that can happen is they either say no or don't respond. When I first came to Ireland, I emailed a few of the big studs and they all came back to me with tour schedules. I'd darn near give my right arm to see Tiznow and Skip Away!
Oh hey, you should sign up for Lexington's LivingSocial Getaways deals. Sometimes they have great deals for hotels and whatnot, some I've almost considered, and I practically live in Lexington. Posted via Mobile Device
Do not rule out the bus tour. Many of them have agreements with the farms and they go to the farms and let you tour them. Some farms will only let bus tours in and they aren't open to the general public.
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