Stud farms that do tours in KY
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Sheepish
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:17 pm
So, I plan on being in Kentucky in mid-July for the first time in three years and was hoping to visit at least one farm while I'm there. Last time I was there I went to Three Chimneys, and loved it. I'd like to see some other farms, but not sure which are worth looking into. If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all eyes. Also any other must see locations, I've been to Old Friends, but it's been a long time so I might look at going there again. I'll be spending the bulk of the weekend at the Horse Park.
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serenassong
- Posts: 4710
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:36 pm
- Location: Connecticut
It has been a long time since I went- 2001- so take that into consideration
Claiborne Farm- very nice and wonderful tour. Still hearing good things about this one. One thing that stood out to me was the simple breeding shed. To think about the horses that have been in there/produced there game me chills- should be lined in gold
Three C's- I was there when Silver Charm/Slew/Rahy/ Dynaformer and Slew O'Gold were in residence. Enjoyed myself, although I have heard the tour is quite different since that time
The Thoroughbred Center- volunteers will take you around to the barns, track and answer questions you may have. You are allowed to interact with the nicer horses.
If you can stand it- go with one of the tour companies- we did the Blue Grass tour. If you can deal with people who know next to nothing about horses, it's ok. In my experience, the tour guide got about half of her information about bloodlines and such wrong- had to bite my tongue a bit and it was a bit frustrating. The highlight for me with that was going to Gainesway- which I understand is no longer open to visitors? Was fortunate to see Lear Fan and Cozzene was a absolute puppy dog.
Never been personally, but I heard the Winstar tour is good. If you are a stablemate, I think you have more access to certain parts, but not 100% sure on that.
Have fun!
Claiborne Farm- very nice and wonderful tour. Still hearing good things about this one. One thing that stood out to me was the simple breeding shed. To think about the horses that have been in there/produced there game me chills- should be lined in gold
Three C's- I was there when Silver Charm/Slew/Rahy/ Dynaformer and Slew O'Gold were in residence. Enjoyed myself, although I have heard the tour is quite different since that time
The Thoroughbred Center- volunteers will take you around to the barns, track and answer questions you may have. You are allowed to interact with the nicer horses.
If you can stand it- go with one of the tour companies- we did the Blue Grass tour. If you can deal with people who know next to nothing about horses, it's ok. In my experience, the tour guide got about half of her information about bloodlines and such wrong- had to bite my tongue a bit and it was a bit frustrating. The highlight for me with that was going to Gainesway- which I understand is no longer open to visitors? Was fortunate to see Lear Fan and Cozzene was a absolute puppy dog.
Never been personally, but I heard the Winstar tour is good. If you are a stablemate, I think you have more access to certain parts, but not 100% sure on that.
Have fun!
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own!"- Mythbusters
"Oh, What fresh Hell is this?!"- Sheldon Cooper(quoted from Dorothy Parker)- Big Bang Theory
"Sometimes I think he's the King of Stupid" - Old Man- Pawn Stars
"Oh, What fresh Hell is this?!"- Sheldon Cooper(quoted from Dorothy Parker)- Big Bang Theory
"Sometimes I think he's the King of Stupid" - Old Man- Pawn Stars
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BlindLucky
- Posts: 3314
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:22 am
- Location: North Carolina
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Claiborne is the best, it's one of those must-do things.
The people at Adena Springs are fabulous. Although they don't do tours at specific times, just call and they'll set something up. (That's as of last year, but I figure they still do the same thing now.)
WinStar is nice if you don't mind the whole TOUR tour thing. Every time I've been there, they spend 5 minutes showing stallions and 25 minutes talking about the basics of racing and maybe a little TMI in the breeding shed.
If the weather is nice, Old Friends is only about 10 minutes from the KY Horse Park. If you've been before, you know what to expect, but it's always fun. Prized, You and I, and Gulch aren't getting any younger either, so I always try to go if I have the time. I'd never seen Sarava, so it was fun to visit last month
Lane's End will usually do a tour on Thursdays, so you might want to check them out too.
Ashford does tours, but every time I've been there they've been pretty hateful.
The people at Adena Springs are fabulous. Although they don't do tours at specific times, just call and they'll set something up. (That's as of last year, but I figure they still do the same thing now.)
WinStar is nice if you don't mind the whole TOUR tour thing. Every time I've been there, they spend 5 minutes showing stallions and 25 minutes talking about the basics of racing and maybe a little TMI in the breeding shed.
If the weather is nice, Old Friends is only about 10 minutes from the KY Horse Park. If you've been before, you know what to expect, but it's always fun. Prized, You and I, and Gulch aren't getting any younger either, so I always try to go if I have the time. I'd never seen Sarava, so it was fun to visit last month
Lane's End will usually do a tour on Thursdays, so you might want to check them out too.
Ashford does tours, but every time I've been there they've been pretty hateful.
Photos from my racing travels: ThoroughbredJourney.com
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serenassong
- Posts: 4710
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:36 pm
- Location: Connecticut
You can stay at the Castle 
- that used to be such a joke when I was there- glad to see that they finally did something with that
http://thecastlepost.com/
- that used to be such a joke when I was there- glad to see that they finally did something with thathttp://thecastlepost.com/
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own!"- Mythbusters
"Oh, What fresh Hell is this?!"- Sheldon Cooper(quoted from Dorothy Parker)- Big Bang Theory
"Sometimes I think he's the King of Stupid" - Old Man- Pawn Stars
"Oh, What fresh Hell is this?!"- Sheldon Cooper(quoted from Dorothy Parker)- Big Bang Theory
"Sometimes I think he's the King of Stupid" - Old Man- Pawn Stars
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flytpthestars
- Posts: 537
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:47 pm
Try Woodford TB, they let you see the mares along with their foals. I got to see Xtra Heat, Turko's Turn and many others.
Do Darley, their facility are amazing! I am hoping to visit on June 13th, if their shuttlers are still around.
I had no problem getting in Darby Dan, Gainesway, Spendthrift, Walmac, Adena and Claiborne. They are all worth a visit
Do Darley, their facility are amazing! I am hoping to visit on June 13th, if their shuttlers are still around.
I had no problem getting in Darby Dan, Gainesway, Spendthrift, Walmac, Adena and Claiborne. They are all worth a visit
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BlindLucky
- Posts: 3314
- Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:22 am
- Location: North Carolina
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The only problem with Darley is that the best view you'll get of the stallions is a speck in the back of the field.flytpthestars wrote:Do Darley, their facility are amazing! I am hoping to visit on June 13th, if their shuttlers are still around.
I had no problem getting in Darby Dan, Gainesway, Spendthrift, Walmac, Adena and Claiborne. They are all worth a visit
And I don't know much much things have changed over the last few months, but the last time I called Spendthrift and Gainesway, they do not allow the public in for tours. Unless they just changed their policy? Guess it might be worth a shot
Photos from my racing travels: ThoroughbredJourney.com
