There is much to be discovered in the rolling hills of Kentucky’s Horse Country, which has been lauded by visitors and explorers since the early 19th century. From famous Thoroughbred farms and nurseries to racetracks and feed mills, a visit to Horse Country will leave you feeling reenergized, connected to its Bluegrass traditions and beautiful landscapes.

Hallie Hardy, Executive Director at Visit Horse Country, takes us through her comprehensive guide to the beautiful horse-related attractions in and around Lexington.

StonestreetStonestreet Farm

Start from the Beginning with a Visit to a Nursery Farm

Lexington is known as the Horse Capital of the World due to a plethora of equines roaming its rolling hills, but do you know the largest equine population in Central Kentucky? Thoroughbred mares and foals! Over 11,000 Thoroughbred foals are born in Kentucky each year and raised on the prime bluegrass soils.

Foaling season begins in January and reaches its peak in March and April, culminating in May. Which means there are young horses to be met and seen in Horse Country throughout the year!

Make an appointment to tour one of our acclaimed nurseries and you might catch sight of a future Kentucky Derby or Triple Crown winner, and you’ll be able to say “I knew them when!”

 

Godolphin's Jonabell Farm

Located on historic Bowman Mill Road, Jonabell Farm is home to Darley's Stallions, including... Read More

Mill Ridge Farm

Visit Mill Ridge, near iconic Keeneland Racetrack, and experience a farm renowned for raising and... Read More

Runnymede Farm

Recognized as the oldest, continuously owned Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, Runnymede Farm is dotted... Read More

Stonestreet Farm

Producing an average of 80 foals a year, Stonestreet Farm gives special attention and care in their... Read More

Did you know? 114 out of 148 Kentucky Derby winners are Kentucky bred… 10 out of the 13 Triple Crown winners too!

 

Young foal receives care at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital

Rood & Riddle

Visit an Equine Veterinary Clinic

As the Horse Capital of the World, it’s no wonder Lexington is home to two world renowned equine veterinary clinics. You can visit them through Horse Country! With staff dedicated to the health and happiness of the horse, you can experience first hand the care taken of these incredible animals.

 

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, established in 1876, is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of... Read More

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital

Rood and Riddle is a world-renowned establishment known for their innovative and highly-skilled... Read More

 

Horse Farm TourLane's End Farm

Meet Racing's Greatest on a Tour of a Stud Farm

There are more than 450 horse farms in the Bluegrass, and 237 Thoroughbred stallions standing at many of them. To become a Thoroughbred stallion, a racehorse must succeed at a high level on the track, so you may know some of these famous studs! From Triple Crown winners to Breeders’ Cup Champions and more, you can meet many of horse racing’s champions right here in Horse Country.

You can explore experiences at Horse Country’s stud farms here, or follow the links below to explore these farms directly.

 

Airdrie Stud

With more than 2,500 acres on iconic Old Frankfort Pike, Airdrie Stud has stallions, mares, and... Read More

Coolmore at Ashford Stud

Visit the Bluegrass home of international breeding giant Coolmore, one of the largest global players... Read More

Darby Dan Farm

Not only is Darby Dan farm the home of leading stallions Dialed In and Tapiture, it was a filming... Read More

Gainesway Farm

This historic 1,500 acre property is home to mares, foals, yearlings, and eight stallions and is one... Read More

Godolphin's Jonabell Farm

Located on historic Bowman Mill Road, Jonabell Farm is home to Darley's Stallions, including... Read More

Lane's End Farm

Situated on more than 2,300 acres of pristine Bluegrass, Lane's End is one of the world's premier... Read More

Spendthrift Farm

Sitting on over 1,200 acres, Spendthrift Farm is home to several Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup... Read More

Taylor Made Farm

A 1,100 acre thoroughbred paradise, Taylor Made Farm is one of the most iconic farms in the... Read More

WinStar Farm

WinStar is home to a strong stallion roster, broodmares and foals, and a state of the art training... Read More

Mill Ridge FarmMill Ridge Farm

Enjoy the Whole Experience

While some farms stand stallions and others raise young horses, many farms do both! And those in Horse Country offer tours where you can experience all aspects of their farm. Several Horse Country locations operate shuttle tours and a few caravan to multiple stops on their farm. Either way, these tours are great to see almost the whole picture of Kentucky’s equine industry in one visit.

Explore shuttle tours here, or follow the links below to explore these farms directly!

Note: Not all shuttle tours are comprehensive experiences, some are mare and foal only.

 

Lane's End Farm

Situated on more than 2,300 acres of pristine Bluegrass, Lane's End is one of the world's premier... Read More

Mill Ridge Farm

Visit Mill Ridge, near iconic Keeneland Racetrack, and experience a farm renowned for raising and... Read More

Taylor Made Farm

A 1,100 acre thoroughbred paradise, Taylor Made Farm is one of the most iconic farms in the... Read More

WinStar Farm

WinStar is home to a strong stallion roster, broodmares and foals, and a state of the art training... Read More

Airdrie Stud

With more than 2,500 acres on iconic Old Frankfort Pike, Airdrie Stud has stallions, mares, and... Read More

Secretariat CenterSecretariat Center

After the Track

Mentioned above are opportunities to experience what many racehorses go on to do after the races, become a broodmare or a stud. However, not all ex-racehorses will go into breeding. So, what about the rest? Many Thoroughbreds retired from the racetrack have so much to offer, either continuing an athletic career in another equine sport or becoming some lucky person’s new riding horse. Whatever their skill set may suit, Thoroughbreds are incredibly versatile and will go on to second careers outside of racing. Horse Country is home to several off-the-track retraining and retirement farms right here in Central Kentucky.

Experience firsthand how incredibly versatile the Thoroughbred is at one of the locations below, or explore our category here.

 

Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

Occupying 72 acres in Horse Country, the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center is a safe haven for all... Read More

New Vocations

Since 1992, New Vocations has focused on offering safe haven through rehabilitation, retraining and... Read More

Secretariat Center

Visit the Secretariat Center, gold standard in Thoroughbred reschooling. Through a structured... Read More

Keeneland Fall MeetKeeneland Fall Meet

Other Equine Attractions

For those who can’t get enough Horse Country, there are countless opportunities to get a closer look at the ins and outs of the equine industry. Take a scenic drive, visit a national landmark or chat with friendly locals who have dedicated their lives to the livelihood of the Horse Capital of the World.

 

Hallway Feeds

Visit one of the numerous businesses in Central Kentucky that support the horse industry. Hallway... Read More

Keeneland Racecourse

With its tranquil setting and lovely stone fences and buildings, this national historic landmark is... Read More

Kentucky Horse Park

Dedicated to man's relationship with the horse, the Kentucky Horse Park is unlike any other park in... Read More

Scenic bywayArial of Lane's End Farm

Scenic Byways

Greater Lexington Area

If you’re in the mood for an afternoon drive through the rolling hills of Horse Country, Lexington has no shortage of scenic byways for you to hit the road and explore. Paris Pike, the road that leads from Lexington to Paris, is lined with some of the most beautiful real estate and horse farms in the region. Old Frankfort Pike, the State Scenic Byway, passes through six historic districts and four National Historic Register properties. And you can take Ironworks Pike out to the Kentucky Horse Park, where you can learn about famous Thoroughbreds and visit the grave of famous race horse Man O’ War. 

 

Don’t forget…

See what seasonal events are going on in and around town! There are special ways to explore Horse Country any time of the year, whether it’s breeding and foaling season in the spring, yearling prep in the summer and fall, or just beautiful snowy fields in winter.

There are great local restaurants throughout Horse Country, including Windy Corner, Wallace Station & Ramsey’s (Harrodsburg location). Be sure to stop into one for the best local flavor, like a hot brown or a good ol’ Southern biscuit. And while you’re eating and exploring Horse Country, be sure to stop into the quaint local shops within the small towns peppered around the region for local goods, antiques and good company.

Please note that experience availability may change throughout the calendar year due to the seasonality of equine industry.