Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World for a number of reasons – we raise, race and care for some of the best horses here in the Bluegrass.
These experiences are a recommendation of ways to dive deeper into the life cycle of some of the fan favorites that call the Bluegrass home. Suggested tours might visit a place where a horse was raised, sold, competed or currently resides, along with other suggestions involving their racing rivals or family members.
Please note that all tours have to be booked separately, and we cannot guarantee any particular horse on any particular tour. All showings are made based upon the health and daily schedule of the equine residents
The Bluegrass is home to a number of equine champions of different breeds, from top racehorses to leading sport horses, saddlebreds and more. Spy Coast Farm is a leading sport horse breeding, training and rehabilitation operation located right next to the Kentucky Horse Park. Their stallion roster includes the best show jumping stallions in North America, including gold medalist Chaqui Z.
Bred by the Morsink family in Belgium, Chaqui Z began his show jumping career in Europe and was a finalist three years in a row at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at ages 5, 6 and 7. Soon after, Spy Coast Farm imported Chaqui Z to the states, which marked the beginning of an illustrious career with Irish Olympian and Spy Coast Farm Sponsored Rider, Shane Sweetnam. Chaqui won his first international Grand Prix outing at the CSI2* New Albany Classic within his first year in America and soon progressed to representing Ireland in Nations Cups and World Cup Qualifiers on a regular basis here in the US and in Europe.
Some of Chaqui’s career highlights include Gold at the 2017 European Show Jumping Championships in Gothenburg, 7th in the team competition at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, clear rounds in the Aachen Nations Cup, member of the Shanghai Swans in the Global Champions League, and numerous top placings at elite venues across the world such as Samorin, La Baule, Prague, Wellington, Lexington, Rome, Falsterbo, and Spruce Meadows.
Chaqui Z is now retired to stud at Spy Coast Farm and loves to visit with tour guests. Not only is Chaqui Z sweet and kind, he is also proving to be a wonderful sire with his offspring inheriting his temperament along with his beautiful jumping technique and scope.
Learn more about Chaqui Z at the following links:
From Youngster to International Grand Prix Horse: Chaqui Z
Ireland crowned European Show Jumping champions after golden night in Gothenburg
Offspring Gallery