Visit Airdrie Stud

Visit one of Kentucky’s most historic Thoroughbred breeding farms, Airdrie Stud in Midway. Tours visit with the stallions, mares and foals who call the farm home, and reminisce on the history of this storied property.

Please note: no restrooms are available and motorcycles, rideshare services, taxis etc. are not permitted on this tour.

Best for guests who want a well-rounded experience with the opportunity to get up close and personal, seeing stallions and mares & foals. Also recommended for those who have a love of history!

WHAT YOU’LL SEE Stallions + Mares & Foals, you might get hands-on too!

BEST FOR All Ages + Kid-Friendly, curious, casual, and committed fans welcome. Questions are encouraged!

ON THE TOUR You will be walking & standing, but you’ll get a break as you caravan in your car to multiple stops. Please be aware there are no public restrooms.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour requires guests to arrive and drive in their own vehicles. No Motorcycles or Rideshare options i.e., Uber, Lyft or Public Taxi Services are unfortunately not allowed.

The Airdrie Stud tour begins at the Stallion Barn, home to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner MAGE, leading sires GIRVIN, UPSTART, CAIRO PRINCE and more. We’ll discuss what makes a successful sire and give insight into how the commercial market influences the breed. From there, you caravan in your vehicle to view some of Airdrie’s mares and foals, with the potential opportunity to get up close and personal to their broodmare band.

You will be outdoors during the tour, so be sure to wear appropriate shoes and comfortable clothing that suits all weather!

ABOUT AIRDRIE

Airdrie Stud, started by Brereton C. and Libby Jones, began in 1972 with a leased parcel of land and has grown to consist of more than 2,500 acres primarily on Old Frankfort Pike. The canopied road bordered by original rock walls takes you back in time and is where much of the original Woodburn Stud was located. Woodburn Stud was home of the immortal Lexington during his 16-year tenure as America’s leading sire in the last century. Woodburn, also the home of four 19th century Kentucky Derby winners, it is in fact considered the birthplace of Kentucky’s Thoroughbred industry. A renewed interest in this piece of property and the historical significance of it has been brought to light by Pulitzer prize winning author Geraldine Brooks and her bestselling, Horse: A Novel as well as the nonfiction book by author Kim Wickens, Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse.

Airdrie stands eleven stallions and owns approximately 150 mares. It is a commercial breeding operation that supports the stallion operation with it’s broodmare band, many of whom are from families developed over several generations. This gently rolling, mineral-rich land in the heart of North America’s richest limestone/bluegrass region, provides a perfect natural base on which to raise young runners of exceptional quality. Airdrie Stud has a reputation of breeding durable and high class racehorses; currently standing at #3 on the Top Breeders List by Race Earnings in North America and #1 by number of Stakes Winners bred.

Airdrie has the distinction of owning and racing three Kentucky Oaks winners over a span of seven years; Proud Spell in 2008, Believe You Can in 2012, and Lovely Maria in 2015. All three were sired by stallions standing at the farm and Proud Spell and Believe You Can were both bred by the farm. Another notable mare bred by the farm is Littleprincessemma (daughter of an Airdrie stallion), who became the dam of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Airdrie Stud, now presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Jones’ son Bret, eyes the future, bolstered by the immense opportunity of standing a Kentucky Derby winner as well as a number of young stallions who have started off strong. We look forward to a future where the orange and green silks continue to dominate the thoroughbred industry.