Winstar Farm is a large commercial breeding farm standing many notable stallions, including Pioneer…read moreof the Nile, the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Many horses are bred to race in the colors of the farm. Horses are shown in the middle of the large barn where they are housed. Photos can be difficult to take due to the ceiling lights which cause extensive glare. There is now a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs such as t-shirts, jackets, etc.

Mary page was an exceptional host and made our tour so interesting. Definitely worth the cost and…read morewe really enjoyed our time on their beautiful farm.

The beautiful Darby Dan Farm embodies the tradition of thoroughbred breeding since 1935. Rolling…read moregreen hills with paddocks lined by white fences are a picture, so much so that the farm was used in the movie "Secretariat". Still in the hands of the family, it upholds the generational belief in the horse as a thing of value 56

If you ever get the chance, this is a beautiful place to see! Ryan gave us a great tour, took time…read moreto answer all our questions, and introduced us to Shackleford. Beautiful grounds, beautiful horses!!

I can't say enough good things about the second annual Horses & Hospitality event, sponsored by…read moreHorse Country. Last year all the participants gathered at Keeneland for fantastic food, networking, and learning opportunities, before venturing out to a variety of thoroughbred farms. Audra and I experienced the wonder that is Taylor Made, and although it wasn't my first farm tour, it was one I'll never forget. This year, COVID did away with the large group gathering, but the farm tours were able to take place as scheduled. The majority of farms are stud-centric, but - ironically - at Denali Stud you won't find any stallions or breeding sheds. More on that to come. Founded in 1990 by former New Jersey jockey Craig Bandoroff and his wife, Holly, Denali Stud is a 300-acre mare and foal property - i.e. a nursery - situated in picturesque Paris, KY. So what's with the name? I wondered the same. 'Denali' is a mountain range and Eskimo word meaning 'to aspire to greater heights,' and the word 'stud' is synonymous with 'farm' in Europe. Voila! The four barns, office, and other buildings on the property run almost completely on solar energy. Although the farm has produced many successful athletes, some of their most beloved clients date back to the humble beginnings of the farm. Craig, a passionate outdoorsman, has taken great care to curate a variety of trees around the property, carefully labeling many with their type and year planted. As he and his wife prepare for retirement in Lexington, their son and his wife have begun building their own residence on property. Our tour started at a large, centrally-located field full of mamas-to-be. And let me tell you, swollen bellies won't stop those ladies from stampeding toward you in pursuit of a peppermint and a good cheek scratching! From there we got to visit with mares and foals in an adjacent field, before venturing on to the foal bar - where the magic happens. Each stall was occupied by either a mare very close to (or past!) her due date, or a mother and new foal, and I mean NEW - a couple of the foals were only two days old! Pay close attention when you're walking through the barn, as you may recognize some high profile sires; I counted at least three babies by Tapit and one by Real Quiet. Another nearby barn houses some older foals with their mamas, and pregnant mares with less imminent due dates. While Denali Stud is the most recognizable farm in the family's portfolio, there are two others, both of which take their names from mountain ranges: K2, which is dedicated to maiden and barren mares, and Lotse, a 5-barn yearling division. Our guide was primarily Alexis - with additional input from Aly - and her knowledge of the industry, farm, animals, and many other business facets was really impressive. Passion and enthusiasm likes hers is what gets people excited about tourism, and I'm so glad Denali Stud participated in the event this year!

Horse Country provides access to thoroughbred farms and other related businesses to locals and…read moretourists alike who would not otherwise have the ability to experience them. This tour company has a variety of experiences to choose from at various prices and durations which can be booked online. Appointments are scheduled for you, but you must provide your own transportation. You will join other visitors while an individual from the farm walks you through the property, giving its history and showing some of the stallions that stand for breeding.

"Brunch with the Babies" 2026. A wonderful event in a beautiful setting. Love the "foal trail" ---…read morepaddocks with signage indicating the dams and the names of the sites of the foals with the backdrop of the lush green acreage. Golf cart available to take guests to far paddocks.Tables set under a tent with an array of delicious food and beverages. Easy self parking on the farm. A lovely way to spend a Spring morning in the Bluegrass. 47

Hopewell is a small town museum in a historic Bourbon County building. Their exhibits are…read moredecidedly Kentucky, The opening receptions are always presented with a nice array of food, book signings relative to the exhibits, and interesting people to meet. The Spirit of Bourbon exhibit opened last night with a table of "bourbonized" treats. You can keep up with the museum's events by getting on their email list.

Iconic Calumet Farm stands proudly with its red and white barns, and their "devil" red racing silks…read morewere a staple in horseracing for many years. Nearly 100 years has seen some of the great horses in their barns and grazing on their beautiful rolling green landscape. Who isn't tempted to glance toward Calumet while driving Versailles Road. 2 Triple Crown winners, 8 Kentucky Derby winners, 8 Preakness winners, 5 Horse of the Year titles only scratch the surface of the honors seen by Calumet. With 12 stallions, including those standing regionally, the legacy continues.

Mereworth Farm was a thoroughbred farm established in 1924 until it was bequeathed to a foundation…read moreto become a 1200 acre sanctuary committed to lifelong care of retired thoroughbreds. Nearly 170 horses call Mereworth Farm and are well cared for by the staff through their later years. 25

Blackwood Farm sits on 350 acres of rolling hills of the Bluegrass. It is a beautiful, serene farm…read morethat specializes in breaking, training and rehabilitation of thoroughbreds. They continue to build on their facility in the finest manner to support the racing industry.