Kentucky Horse Farms

[cato]

Wife and I will be in Lexington/Louisville area in late November and wanted to tour some of the horse farms in that area.

What farms fall into the "don't miss" category?

Thanks, Cato

[arkansasman]

Nothing fancy but "Hallowed Ground"

[onefast99]

Claiborne.

[OTM Al]

Go to the Old Friends retirement farm.

http://www.oldfriendsequine.com/

They are some really wonderful people who work there and it is the only retirement facility for stallions.

[Shenanigans]

Claiborne
Ashford
Gainesway
Three Chimneys

[bane]

I'e been to a lot of these farms and here are my top farms.

1. Claiborne
2. Three Chimneys
3. Calument (call them sometimes they do give ours)
4. Juddmonte (their office is unreal)
5. Gainsway (best breeding shed IMO, Ashford is too tacky)
6. Vinery
7. Adena Springs
8. Ashford.. I mean Coolmore (ugh!)


Oh.. 22. Margaux Farm. It's my place of former employment and you have to see how my old boy Cryptoclearnce is doing.

[Nacumi]

I second the Old Friends visit...Mike Blowen and company are amazing and the stallions are so great to see in retirement.
Hill 'N Dale has one of the most beautiful stallion complexes I've ever seen.
Gainesway is just terrific for the fact that they seem to nurture senior citizens better than any other facility in the state.
Have some bourbon barrel beer while you're in town...it's one of a kind!

[46zilzal]

Originally Posted by arkansasman

Nothing fancy but "Hallowed Ground"

Akin to walking through the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. The "who's who" in the graveyard is something to behold.

November is the best time to go. Breeding not started yet, most tourists not there. Remember if a groom takes you around it is customary to tip them.

[Grits]

Please give the farms the benefit of a telephone call, making an appointment to see the stallions. Otherwise, you may be surprised with "we are not accepting visitors, right now."

They are working farms, and they are grateful for notification before visiting. And as was noted, tip accordingly.

[bane]

Agreed nothing pissed me off more then people showing up to see the stallions while I'm in the middle of something.
1. The Stallions might need to be groomed a little and if it caught us by surprised and if my boys needed an extra comb through and they got shown my ass got chewed up.
2. If it's unannounced I might be rushing to clean stalls or turn out to get out of there on time, and when you have to back for a night breeding or your on call, it sucks.

[cato]

Thanks to everyone. We will either call ahead or hire one of the folks who lead tours. I'll let you know how it goes.

Cato