Horse Country Connections: 2023 Kentucky Derby May 5, 2023 The first weekend of May brings the eyes of the world upon Kentucky. The G1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is the most iconic race in North American Thoroughbred racing, and one of the most recognizable races in the entire world. While the Kentucky Derby is often symbolized by Mint Juleps, big hats and high fashion, at the heart of it all is the horse. For 149 years, the Derby has represented the hopes and dreams of countless horsemen and women whose goal is to one day be victorious in the run for the roses. A number of factors make the Derby a unique race – the race is only open to three year old horses (therefore horses only have one shot at running in the race), up to 20 horses can enter the starting gate (the biggest field of race in North America) and the race is run at a mile and a quarter (a longer distance than the entrants have run previously). Along with the huge crowd and fanfare that go along with America’s most popular horse race, it takes a special horse to win this race. This year, 19 Thoroughbred colts will enter the starting gates on Saturday, May 6 for their shot at the history books. We’re thrilled to be cheering on a number of horses in the field with connections to our #VisitHorseCountry members. Congratulations to these horses, their connections, and our members who played a part in their success. The G1 Kentucky Derby field, presented in post position order: #1 Hit Show Sired by Candy Ride (ARG), standing at Lane’s End Farm Damsire is Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm Fueled by Hallway Feeds #2 Verifying Sired by Justify, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud His last Derby prep was a second place finish in the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2021 Fueled by Hallway Feeds #3 Two Phil’s Sired by Hard Spun, standing at Darley’s Jonabell Farm Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2021 #4 Confidence Game Sired by Candy Ride (ARG), standing at Lane’s End Farm Consigned by Lane’s End Farm at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale Fueled by Hallway Feeds #5 Tapit Trice Sired by Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm Born at and bred by Gainesway Farm, and consigned by the farm at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale Currently co-owned by Gainesway Stable with Whisper Hill Farm, LLC #6 Kingsbarns Owned by Spendthrift Farm Sired by Uncle Mo, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud Damsire is Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm #7 Reincarnate Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling sale Fueled by Hallway Feeds #8 Mage Born and raised at Runnymede Farm Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale #9 Skinner – SCR #10 Practical Move – SCR #11 Disarm Sired by Gun Runner, standing at Three Chimneys Farm Damsire is Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm His last prep race was a third place finish in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland #12 Jace’s Road Sired by Quality Road, standing at Lane’s End Farm Born and raised at Taylor Made Farm, which consigned the colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Fueled by Hallway Feeds #13 Sun Thunder sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm Damsire is Medaglia d’Oro, standing at Darley’s Jonabell Farm. Fueled by Hallway Feeds #14 Angel of Empire Sired by Classic Empire, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Fueled by Hallway Feeds #15 Forte Graduate of the Keeneland November and September Sales Won the G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in 2022, which led to Forte being named Champion Two Year Old Male #16 Raise Cain Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale His last prep race was a fifth place finish in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Fueled by Hallway Feeds #17 Derma Sotogake Bred and raced in Japan, Derma Sotogake comes to the Kentucky Derby by way of the UAE Derby in Dubai His sire, Mind Your Biscuits, was a popular G1-winning sprinter in the United States #18 Rocket Can Sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm Fueled by Hallway Feeds Born and raised at WinStar Farm #19 Lord Miles SCR #20 Continuar SCR #21 Cyclone Mischief Sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Draws into the Kentucky Derby after three defections #22 Mandarin Hero Bred, raised and raced in Japan, Mandarin Hero placed a close second in the G1 Santa Anita Derby in his most recent start. Draws into the Kentucky Derby after three defections. #23 King Russell Sired by Creative Cause, standing at Airdrie Stud Bred by Brereton Jones’ Airdrie Stud, which now co-owns the colt with Naber Racing, LLC Draws into the Kentucky Derby after three defections. Tune in to the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.
Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event Recap May 2, 2023 Each year, the last weekend in April is dedicated to sport horses here in Lexington, Kentucky. The Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park and brings together some of the world’s most talented horse and rider pairs to tackle three phases – dressage, cross country and stadium jumping – over the course of three days. The combination with the lowest number of penalties after all three disciplines is crowned the winner. This year, the event was particularly special for many competitors and fans The event has grown into a celebration of equestrianism at the top level, with four competitions hosted during the weekend. The Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L is one of just seven 5* events in the entire world. The 5* level is the ultimate stage for eventing competitors, with many of these combinations either Olympic and World Championship veterans or hopefuls. Along with the headlining event, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Three Day Event and Kentucky Invitational CSI3* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute drew top horse and rider pairs. [metaslider id=27655 cssclass=””] The Land Rover Kentucky CCI5* kicked off on Thursday, April 27 with the dressage phase, which is split over two days due to the volume of riders. Dressage is a test of harmony during which horse and rider complete a prescribed set of movements that emphasize grace and connection. Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir, World Champions representing Great Britain, were in the lead over fellow British rider Tom McEwen and JL Dublin after the dressage phase with a 22.1 and 22.6, respectively. Mai Baum and Tamie Smith of the United States rounded out the top three with a 24.2. [metaslider id=27665 cssclass=””] Cross country is arguably the most thrilling phase of eventing, and the day drew over 30,000 fans to the Kentucky Horse Park to watch horse and rider combinations tackle a four mile course of obstacles including jumps, ditches and water features as close to the optimum time as possible. A handful of jumping and time penalties led to a shift in the standings, with Tamie Smith and Mai Baum jumping to the top of the leaderboard after a double clear round. Great Britain’s Tom McEwen and JL Dublin picked up a few time penalties to hold second place, and Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C of the United States entered the top three with their double clear round on the cross country course. [metaslider id=27698 cssclass=””] The top three riders were separated by just 4.3 points headed into the final round, stadium jumping. The stadium jumping test calls upon both the harmony demonstrated in dressage and the scope shown during cross country to jump a course of obstacles that will easily fall, compared to solid cross country fences. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum delivered with a double clear round to become the first American competitor to win the first Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event since Phillip Dutton in 2008, and the first woman to win since Mary King in 2011. Smith and Mai Baum finished on their dressage score, 24.2, with McEwen and JL Dublin finishing on a 27.8 for second place and Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C ending the weekend on a 28.5 for third place. As the highest placed American rider, Smith also took home the USEF CCI5*-L National Eventing Championship. Prize money of $400,000 was distributed among the top placings, along with awards recognizing the leading young rider, winning owner, winning breeder, grooms of the top placing horses and more. [metaslider id=27693 cssclass=””] The third annual Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S took place throughout the weekend as well, following the same format as the Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*-L. Canadian rider Karl Slezak was the only rider in the entire competition to go double clear in both the cross country and stadium jumping divisions, finishing on his dressage score of 29.3 to win aboard the mare Hot Bobo. Tamie Smith piloted Solaguayre California to finish second with a score of 30, and Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire finished third with a score of 34.9. [metaslider id=27678 cssclass=””] In its third year, the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute drew some familiar faces for fans of equestrian sport, including Olympians Margie Engle, McLain Ward, Rodrigo Pessoa, Shane Sweetnam and more. We had some great rooting interests in two Spy Coast Farm-bred horses, La Belle SCF and Orwell SCF (owned by Lane’s End Show Jumping) competing in the event. Both horses are sired by Spy Coast Farm stallion Diktator van de Boslandhoeve. After the first round, ten riders were tied with zero faults to head into a jump off. A thrilling conclusion to the event saw Daniel Bluman of Israel and his mare Gemma W win by a mere .87 seconds over Lacey Gilbertson of the United States and Karlin Van’t Vennehof. Spy Coast Farm’s resident show jumping trainer and competitor Shane Sweetman rounded out to podium in third place aboard his gelding James Kann Cruz. Along with elite competitions, Land Rover Kentucky is known for shopping, educational demonstrations and more. The Secretariat Center hosted a demonstration about what to look for when purchasing an OTTB with champion jockey Rosie Napravnik, and New Vocations and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute welcomed guests to their booths to learn more about their respective organizations. Mark your calendars for the 2024 Best Weekend All Year, April 26-29 and learn more on the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event website!
Keeneland Spring Meet Preview April 6, 2023 The unofficial start of spring in the Bluegrass is upon us – the Keeneland Spring Meet kicks off on April 7! The spring meet runs from April 7 to April 28, with races taking place on Wednesdays – Sundays, excluding Easter Sunday, April 9. Tickets must be purchased prior to arriving at the track, and they can be found here. Keeneland’s spring meet is the perfect combination of great racing and great Kentucky culture, from the food to drinks, outfits and more! Visit Keeneland We’re proud to offer tours throughout the Keeneland meet (and the rest of the year!), which can be found by clicking here. One of our top recommendations is to stop by in the early hours of the day to watch morning training, which takes place from 5:30-10am each morning (we’ve got a tour for that, too!). You’ll get the chance to see horses exercising on the track, and trust us when we say that there is nothing like a morning spent on the rail. Once training is done, head over to the Keeneland Track Kitchen for a hearty breakfast before a day at the races. Be sure to tune into the races – or even better, join in the fun at the track! While you’re in town for the races, be sure to check out some of our horse farm tours, which can be viewed by clicking here (P.S. – be sure to check out the filters to choose your preferred dates and number of guests for the most accurate listing of available tours for your party). Top-Class Thoroughbred Racing Wonder Wheel wins the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland in November 2022 The race meet kicks off with top races for three year olds in the G1 Ashland Stakes and the G1 Blue Grass Stakes. Both races provide points to the top finishers in route to the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, respectively. The G1 Ashland Stakes is race nine on Friday, April 7 with a post time of 5:16 p.m. ET, and has 170 Kentucky Oaks points on offer to the top five finishers. We hate to pick favorites, and in this case, we don’t have to! Each of the seven contenders has a connection to Horse Country (how cool is that?!). Pride of the Nile – bred by Stonestreet Farm. Wonder Wheel – sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm and bred by Three Chimneys Farm (in partnership with Clearsky Farms). Guns n’ Grace – sired by Gun Runner, standing at Three Chimneys Farm. Julia Shining – bred and raced by Stonestreet Farm. Punchbowl – sired by Uncle Mo, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. Defining Purpose – sired by Cross Traffic, standing at Spendthrift Farm. Effortlesslyelgant – sired by Liam’s Map, standing at Lane’s End Farm. The G1 Blue Grass Stakes is race nine on Saturday, April 9 with a post time of 5:15 p.m. ET, and has 170 Kentucky Derby points on offer to the top five finishers. Half of the field has a connection back to Horse Country, so we’ve got a few rooting interests in one of the final prep races for the Kentucky Derby. Tapit Trice – sired by Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm and bred by Gainesway (co-owners with Whisper Hill Farm, LLC). Verifying – sired by Justify, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. Hayes Strike – sired by Connect, standing at Lane’s End Farm. Scoobie Quando – sired by Uncle Mo, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. Blazing Sevens – sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm. Mendelssohns March – sired by Mendelssohn, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. Plus, be on the lookout for the return of three Breeders’ Cup World Champions to the site of their victories last fall – Caravel in the G2 Shakertown Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner) Goodnight Olive in the G1 Madison Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner) and Wonder Wheel in the G1 Ashland Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner). Sally’s Picks – Tips from a Keeneland Ambassador One of our team members, Sally Englander, is a Keeneland College Ambassador as well as a Horse Country intern. When she’s not helping to curate the perfect experience for your time in Horse Country, she is at the races and chatting about all things Keeneland! She put together her list of must do, see and eat items for the Keeneland spring meet below. Food & Drinks Keeneland’s Famous Bread Pudding A great blend of sweetness and bourbon in one delicious dessert, best served warm with bourbon glaze on top and best enjoyed while outside trackside watching the races! If you’ve ever wished you could make this Keeneland classic at home, you are in luck! Marc Therrien, Executive Chef for Keeneland Hospitality gave the Kentucky Distillers Association a step-by-step recipe, click here. Keeneland Breeze For those of the age of 21, my best drink recommendation for those who want to taste Kentucky in a drink would be the Keeneland Breeze. This bourbon based drink is a classic to sip while placing your bets on your favorite horses! Places to Visit at Keeneland Saddling Paddock Before I ever place bets, I have to go to the Saddling Paddock to pick the horse that catches my eye. You get a glimpse of the horses’ energy before the race and get an up close look at them before they go to the track. Sales Pavilion I absolutely love the Sales Pavilion. It has a timeless look with Keeneland green filling the interior. This is where some of the world’s top Thoroughbred sales happen in January, April, September, and November. …and of course the finish line is a fun place to visit and maybe you’ll get the chance to capture a photo finish! Top Horse Country tour picks Spy Coast Farm Grand Tour | 10:30am-12:30pm Take a break from the Thoroughbreds and head over to the sport horse capital of Lexington. This tour is one of my favorites because of the diversity You get to see the rehabilitation center, stallions, young horse development center, and mares and foals division! It is also a very interactive tour, you can pet and feed the horses on the property! Spendthrift Farm Stallion Complex Tour | 12:30pm-1:30pm Located right down the street from Spy Coast, Spendthrift Farm is a top international thoroughbred breeder! They are home to greats such as Into Mischief, Authentic, and Jackie’s Warrior. They also have the newly built B. Wayne Hughes Visitor’s Center, where you can buy all the Spendthrift and Horse Country merchandise.
Horse Country Connections: Pegasus World Cup January 26, 2023 The Pegasus World Cup is the first major race day on the North American racing calendar in 2023. Hosted at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, the Pegasus World Cup is a thrilling day at the races, headlined by the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational and G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. Here in Kentucky, we’ll be watching the races and cheering on the #HorseCountryConnections (and dreaming of warm weather!). Let’s check out some of the contenders in this year’s G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. The Races G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Purse: $3,000,000 Distance: 1 ⅛ miles on the dirt Post Time: 5:40 p.m. ET Post Positions: 1 – Proxy | bred and owned by Godolphin | sired by Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm 2 – Simplification | sired by Not This Time, standing at Taylor Made Farm 3 – Ridin With Biden | sired by Constitution, standing at WinStar Farm | Keeneland Sales graduate 4 – White Abarrio | bred by Spendthrift Farm 5 – Defunded | sired by Dialed In, standing at Darby Dan Farm | Keeneland Sales graduate 6 – Art Collector 7 – Skippylongstocking | Keeneland Sales graduate 8 – Get Her Number | sired by Dialed In, standing at Darby Dan Farm 9 – Last Samurai | bred by Stonestreet Farm 10 – Cyberknife | sired by Gun Runner, standing at Three Chimneys Farm | Future Spendthrift Farm stallion 11 – Stiletto Boy 12 – O’Connor (CHI) Also Eligibles 14 – Endorsed | bred by Godolphin | sired by Medaglia d’Oro, standing at Jonabell Farm Along with the dirt feature, the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational drew a strong field of competitive turf horses. G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 1 ⅛ miles on the turf Post Time: 4:40 p.m. ET Post Positions 1 – Wit | sired by Practical Joke, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud | Keeneland Sales graduate 2 – Good Governance (GB) | Keeneland Sales Graduate 3 – Atone | bred by Godolphin | sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm 4 – Hurricane Dream (FR) 5 – One More Bid 6 – Lady Speightspeare | sired by Speightstown, standing at WinStar Farm 7 – Speaking Scout | Keeneland Sales Graduate 8 – Who’s the Star | sired by Tonalist, standing at Lane’s End Farm | Keeneland Sales Graduate 9 – Decorated Invader | Keeneland Sales Graduate 10 – Ivar (BRZ) | G1 winner at Keeneland 11 – Master Piece (CHI) 12 – City Man Also Eligibles 13 – King Cause | bred by Airdrie Stud | sired by Creative Cause, standing at Airdrie Stud | Keeneland Sales Graduate 14 – Steady On | Keeneland Sales Graduate Where to Watch If you’re like us, and you won’t be in Florida for the races this weekend, you can tune in on NBC at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 28 to catch all of the action. Live streams will also be available online and via the NBC sports app. Horse Country Connections: Past Winners Life is Good, winner of the 2022 Pegasus World Cup, is now retired and stands stud at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. You can visit WinStar and learn more about this champion on one of their tours! In the meantime, click here to relive his thrilling win in last year’s edition. Knicks Go, now standing at Taylor Made Farm, won the 2021 edition of the Pegasus World Cup. Click here to book a tour of Taylor Made Farm, and be sure to check out his victory here. City of Light won the 2019 Pegasus World Cup before joining his sire Quality Road in the stallion barn at Lane’s End Farm. Visit Lane’s End and learn more about City of Light (and Quality Road!) on one of their tours. You can watch his Pegasus World Cup conquest here. Now a leading stallion, Gun Runner won the second running of the Pegasus World Cup back in 2018. Watch his stirring triumph here, and be sure to book a tour of Three Chimneys Farm to see Gun Runner in his new career. About Horse Country, Inc. Based in Lexington, Ky, Horse Country is a not-for-profit membership organization that offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the equine industry through tours of member farms, veterinary clinics and other equine attractions in Kentucky. Check out Horse Country on social media: Instagram @visithorsecountry Facebook @visithorsecountry and Twitter @kyhorsecountry. For more information: www.visithorsecountry.com.
Winter Guide to Horse Country December 7, 2022 Winter is upon us here in Central Kentucky and there are so many things to do and see in the Bluegrass! From holiday themed treats to Christmas lights, to tours of horse farms and distilleries, we compiled some of our favorite winter activities below. First things first – get out of the house and go on a Horse Country Tour! While winter in Kentucky requires a warm jacket, there’s little else you need to enjoy the holiday season with Horse Country. Bundle up and enjoy the sights of a horse farm tour, including some of our nursery farms, aftercare facilities and stallion stations. If you’re looking to stay indoors, Hallway Feeds and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are offering tours that give a behind-the- scenes peek into their respective world-class operations in equine care. Whether you’re looking to get the kids out of the house this winter break or are looking to show off Kentucky to your visiting in-laws this holiday season, Horse Country has you covered. See below for some recommended itineraries: Kid-Friendly – Tour the Secretariat Center or Spy Coast Farm, and then visit the Kentucky Horse Park, ending with Southern Lights. Click here for the day trip itinerary. – Tour Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm and then visit Downtown Midway for shopping and a bite to eat. Click here for the day trip itinerary. – Tour Mill Ridge Farm, and then head to the Summit for holiday shopping or gift card using! Click here for the day trip itinerary. – Stay cozy indoors with a tour of Hallway Feeds, then head down the road to shop and eat at Greyline Station. Click here for the day trip itinerary. – Learn about the life of a Thoroughbred before, during and after their racing career with a tour of Keeneland Racecourse, and then a tour of a nursery farm, either Mill Ridge Farm or Gainsborough Farm. Click here for the day trip itinerary. – Learn about the life of a Thoroughbred, both on the track and off of the track, when you pair a tour of Keeneland with a visit to New Vocations or the Secretariat Center. Click here for the day trip itinerary. Holidays with the In-Laws Head over to Versailles and enjoy some bays and Bourbon with tours at Gainsborough Farm and a distillery. Click here for the day trip itinerary.Enjoy a classically Kentucky day with tours at Keeneland Racecourse and Mill Ridge Farm, as well as lunch at Harry’s. Click here for the day trip itinerary. Learn about top tier equine veterinary care with a tour of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, and then head downtown to experience some of the best food and drinks Lexington has to offer. Click here for the day trip itinerary. While you’re in town, be sure to check out some of our other favorite things to do during the winter months in Central Kentucky. Go Ice Skating in Downtown Lexington Triangle Park in Downtown Lexington becomes a winter wonderland each year, with an ice skating ring and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Rent a pair of skates by the hour and enjoy ice skating in the heart of Lexington, then be sure to head to the distillery district for some Goodfella’s pizza and Crank and Boom ice cream for some grub after your time at the rink. View hours and more information regarding the Rink at Triangle Park here. Experience Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park This time of year, the Kentucky Horse Park is not just home to equine attractions. Southern Lights is a three mile driving tour of spectacular lights, along with a Holiday Village where guests can venture through a petting zoo, ride a mini train, meet with Santa, shop at the Kentucky Horse Park gift shop and more. Be on the lookout for light displays celebrating Kentucky’s equine heritage! Learn more and purchase tickets to Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park here. Enjoy Delicious Holiday Treats Lexington’s local food scene is great year-round, but during the holiday season our local restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops really step it up a notch. Some of our favorite bakeries and coffee shops include Futile Bakery (the cinnamon rolls are to die for!), Leestown Coffee House (holiday drinks include a gingerbread latte & more) and the Amsden Coffee Club in Versailles (holiday shopping + coffee, does it get much better?). Warm up with a Bourbon Tour After you spend some time outdoors on a horse farm tour, warm up inside on a distillery tour! Our friends at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail have tours available all winter at a variety of distilleries in Central Kentucky. Some of our nearby favorites include Four Roses Distillery (located just off of the Bluegrass Parkway in Lawrenceburg), Castle & Key Distillery (located just outside of Versailles in Frankfort), and Lexington Brewing Co., Barrel House Distilling Co., James E. Pepper Distillery and Bluegrass Distillers, all located in Lexington. Learn more and book a distillery tour through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website. About Horse Country, Inc. Based in Lexington, Ky, Horse Country is a not-for-profit membership organization that offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the equine industry through tours of member farms, veterinary clinics and other equine attractions in Kentucky. Check out Horse Country on social media: Instagram @visithorsecountry Facebook @visithorsecountry and Twitter @kyhorsecountry. For more information: www.visithorsecountry.com.
Giving Tuesday November 28, 2022 #GivingTuesday is celebrated each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and, let’s be honest, after a weekend of indulgence. The day encourages us to donate to causes and organizations spreading good around the world, around the country, or even in your community. Since its inception in 2012, Giving Tuesday has become a worldwide movement that has raised critical funds for nonprofits across the globe. Horse Country is proud to recognize our four nonprofit members who provide care, facilitate retraining, and find lifelong homes for the horses in their barns. We encourage you to learn more about each of these organizations below, and if you feel so inclined, to support these organizations on this #GivingTuesday. Kentucky Equine Adoption Center The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center is the largest all-breed equine rescue in Kentucky, serving horses from a variety of breeds, ages and backgrounds. The Center rehabilitates and rehomes horses, ranging from trail horses and companion animals to high level dressage competitors, with a goal of finding the perfect adopter for each horse. Learn more about the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center here. Monetary donations to the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center can be made via the link below, and the Center is also seeking donations of winter blankets for their horses and the community. Donate to the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center here. New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program New Vocations is the nation’s largest racehorse adoption program, and focuses on rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming retired Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses. New Vocations has nine facilities across the country to retrain and rehome horses, with their main base located here in Lexington, Kentucky. Learn more about New Vocations here. In honor of New Vocations 30th anniversary, Breeders’ Cup-winning Thoroughbred owners D.J. Stable, LLC is generously matching all donations made to New Vocations, up to $30,000! Donate to New Vocations here. Secretariat Center The Secretariat Center provides education for former racehorses as a stepping stone to new careers after racing. The Secretariat Center typically has 10-20 Thoroughbreds in its training program, which can go on to a variety of careers including hunter/jumpers, dressage, trail riding, therapeutic riding and more. Donations to the Secretariat Center assist in the care and training of nearly 50 retired racehorses per year. Donate to the Secretariat Center here. Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation provides support for nearly 450 rescued and retired Thoroughbred racehorses in their care at TRF locations throughout the country, including the herd of 11 horses at TRF at Chestnut Hall in Prospect. This Giving Tuesday, TRF is fundraising to support the TRF Farrier Fund, which covers the cost of about three months of blacksmith visits for the horses in the TRF herd. Proper hoof care is vital to the wellbeing of horses, and this fund is incredibly important to the work that TRF does. Donate to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Farrier Fund here.
Horse Country Holiday Gift Guide November 21, 2022 Looking for Christmas gift inspiration for the horse lover in your life? Lucky for you, our members have just what you need right in their gift shops. We’ve split up the list of gift ideas by… Die-hard horseracing enthusiasts Horse Country connoisseursPotential equine adopters Whatever category you identify with, we have just the thing for you and your shopping list. And don’t forget – a tour in Horse Country always makes for a lovely gift too! Lane’s End Farm Z Hat $22.95 For all the Zenyatta fans in the house – I mean who isn’t – Lane’s End has great gifts honoring the Hall of Fame mare, including hats and tees, like this eye catching option pictured here. Plus they have great Lane’s End branded gear too! Check out their online gift shop here. Interested in a tour? While Lane’s End isn’t offering public tours this winter…brrrrr… they do have some private availability and will be back in Spring 2023! You can book here. Breeders’ Cup 2022 Center Flightline Long Sleeve Tee $40 Breeders’ Cup’s online gift shop is a great spot for any fan of the World Championships. Their shop includes apparel, housewares and some high end gifts as well. Plus they have items from 2022 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland on sale! Commemorate an incredible Breeders’ Cup Classic performance from Flightline with a purchase from the Breeders’ Cup shop here. Spendthrift Farm The Authentic Logo Windbreaker $65 Spendthrift has an incredible collection of Authentic gear including this snazzy pullover, a perfect outer layer for that biting winter wind. They also have a swoon worthy collection of apparel and housewares perfect for any horse lover’s holiday shopping list. Visit their online gift shop here. If you join for a tour a Spendthrift you can shop in their Visitors Center – book here! Tour tickets are required to shop in Visitors Center. Darley America Nyquist Beanie $35 Sport your favorite Darley stallion cap this holiday season. In particular, this stylish number will keep you cozy and it’s a perfect fit for 2016 Kentucky Derby winner, Nyquist, named for NHL player, Gustav Nyquist. Take a look at their online gift shop here. Godolphin will be hosting tours through the winter at their stallion station, Jonabell Farm, and their mare division, Gainsborough Farm. Get a hat with your favorite stallion’s name and then come visit him! Book here. WinStar Farm Women’s Quilted Jacket $75 WinStar Farm has a great selection of hats and apparel from their star studded stallion roster, but we just had to share this quilted jacket! It’s trendy and feels like part of a WinStar uniform – so if they’re your team, then kit up! Check out this jacket and more on their online gift shop here. WinStar also has a few tours available through the first week in December, you can visit their gift shop after your tour. Book here, and if you can’t visit this winter, mark your calendars for Spring 2023! Mill Ridge Farm Carrot Socks $20 Quickly becoming known across Horse Country and beyond for their iconic carrot couture, Mill Ridge has recently stocked up on these bad boys. These are a personal favorite of the Horse Country team and they’d make a great gift for any horse lover! Aside from these, Mill Ridge has a great offering of carrot adorned apparel and hats. Find your pick on their online website here. Or if you feel like feeding horses some real carrots before you buy your carrot themed apparel, visit Mill Ridge Farm this holiday season and make your purchase in person. Book here! Keeneland Win Place Show 8×10 Print Set $36 Keeneland’s gift shop is a thing of beauty – from apparel to home wares and everything in between! Honestly, it was hard to pick just one thing, but we do love this set of prints. Keeneland’s gift shop located on their grounds is open to the public and they also have Keeneland Mercantile located in downtown Lexington, or you can shop online here. Be sure to confirm their business hours before visiting! And Keeneland is hosting tours through this holiday season, book your tour here and be sure to stop by the gift shop after your tour. Visit Horse Country Jute Market Tote $25 From trips to the farmer’s markets to your upcoming beach vacation this wintery season – Horse Country’s tote bag will fit right in. It’s a beautifully structured jute bag with durable handles and the Horse Country logo imprinted on the front. Or check out our superstar tees or co-branded member hats this holiday season, you can find it all here. And if you’re think of gifting a tour this holiday season, you can find gift certificates here. Kentucky for Kentucky Horse Humping Socks $14 I know, I know… what’s with all the socks? Well, you know what they say, no hoof no horse and it all starts with a comfy pair of socks! Enter Kentucky for Kentucky’s attention grabbing pair, which well honor what helps make Central Kentucky the Horse Capital of the World, the Thoroughbred breeding industry. You can find these and some other fun Kentucky themed gifts on their online store here, or if you’re in town, be sure to check out their Fun Mall off Bryan Ave. Be ready for some fun, eclectic gifts and to be clear, we don’t recommend visiting their shop to the faint of heart! Here at Horse Country, several of our team members grew up on the back of a horse. While some of us have the ability to continue riding today, for those of us who can’t, we “window shop” on the social media channels of our sport horse and Thoroughbred aftercare members. In particular, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, New Vocations, Secretariat Center, and on the fanciest end, Spy Coast Farm, all have horses available for purchase or adoption. If you’re in search of a new addition to your stable or just want to drool over their adoptable horses, we couldn’t recommend their social media channels enough! Please note if you are serious about purchasing or adopting a horse of any breed, skill level etc, we recommend extensive research and training beforehand. You must go through the members’ program and prerequisites to successfully purchase or adopt a horse. Also, our aftercare facilities, the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, New Vocations, Secretariat Center and Thoroughbred Retirement Center at Chestnut Hall are all 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. A donation to any of them in pursuit of quality care for horses here in Central Kentucky would be a great gift! PLUS they all have a gift shop too – plenty of ways to gift this holiday season! www.kyeac.org www.horseadoption.com www.secretariatcenter.org www.spycoastfarm.com www.trfinc.org TRF at Chestnut Hall is also hosting a Holiday Designer Showcase from December 2nd through December 10th, tickets can be purchased online!
Horse Country Guide to Thanksgiving Weekend November 21, 2022 With Thanksgiving in just a few days, we have compiled a list of our favorite things to do during Thanksgiving weekend here in Horse Country. Visit a Horse Farm Enjoy the Kentucky fall air on a tour of a local horse farm! Touring a horse farm is a great way to spend time with family and friends. Our tour experiences are a great way for fans of all interest and experience levels to get a behind the scenes look at why Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World. Depending on your tour choice, you might pet and/or feed horses, learn about the training process, see Kentucky Derby winning stallions and more. You can view all of our available tours by clicking here! To see what is available we recommend using the two filter buttons in the left hand corner to choose your preferred date and number of guests. Participate in the Thoroughbred Classic 5k Take time to participate in a well-loved local Thanksgiving tradition, the Thoroughbred Classic 5k at Keeneland! Enjoy the beautiful sights that Keeneland has to offer all while enjoying the cool fall air. To learn more about the Thoroughbred Classic, and get registered, click here. Go racing at Churchill Downs Stop by Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, to watch some of their Fall Meet racing which runs until November 27th. With races starting at 1:00 p.m. throughout the meet, with the exception of Thanksgiving when races start at 11:30 a.m., you will have the opportunity to see Kentucky’s equine athletes at work! You can learn more about Churchill Downs and their racing on their website. Get some holiday shopping done early Check out one of the many shops & markets in the area to get ahead on your shopping list, especially this Small Business Saturday! These markets & shops are home to locally-made goods, so you can support local artists while picking up some great products. If you’re interested in merchandise from Horse Country and our members, be sure to check out our Horse Country gift guide here. Some of our favorite events or shops to check out: Beech Springs Christmas Market, Greyline Station and Downtown Versailles. Go ice skating in Triangle Park Take full advantage of the chilly weather by getting a cup of hot chocolate and taking a skate at Triangle Park! Ice skate through downtown Lexington and take in the sights, you may even see a few decorated horses on your skate. Learn more about ice skating in Triangle Park here!
Breeders’ Cup 2022 Recap November 8, 2022 After a whirlwind week of racing and festivities, the 2022 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland Racecourse is in the books. 14 World Champions were crowned across the two day event, and a number of #HorseCountryConnections made it into the winner’s circle. Check out photos, recaps and race replays of each of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships races below. Breeders’ Cup Classic – Flightline The G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic was dominated by Flightline, a four year old colt by Tapit (standing at Gainesway Farm). Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Flavien Prat, Flightline rolled home with a 8 ¼ length victory to extend his unbeaten record. He retired to stud at Lane’s End Farm after the race. Visit Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Watch Flightline win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Distaff – Malathaat The G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff came down to a tight photo finish between three horses with Malathaat, with jockey John Velazques aboard, in first, Blue Stripe (ARG) in second and Clairiere in third. Malathaat is owned by Shadwell Stables and trained by Todd Pletcher. Both Malathaat and Clairiere are Stonestreet Farm homebreds, though Malathaat was consigned as a yearling by Denali Stud at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $1.05 million. Watch Malathaat win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Turf – Rebel’s Romance (IRE) The G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf was won by Rebel’s Romance (IRE), a four year old gelding owned and bred by Godolphin, LLC. The gelding is trained by Charlie Appleby and jockey James Doyle was aboard for his first Breeders’ Cup win. You can visit Godolphin’s North American headquarters at Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Watch Rebel’s Romance (IRE) win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Mile – Modern Games (GB) Modern Games (GB) picked up his second Breeders’ Cup victory with his win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile for owner/breeder Godolphin. William Buick was aboard for his second victory of the weekend, after teaming up with trainer Charlie Appleby for another victory in the Juvenile Turf Sprint on Friday. You can visit Godolphin’s North American headquarters at Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Watch Modern Games (GB) win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Sprint – Elite Power Trainer Bill Mott notched his second Breeders’ Cup victory of the day in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint with Elite Power, owned by Juddmonte Farm and ridden by Irad Ortiz. The colt was consigned by Lane’s End Farm at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2019. You can visit both Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky. Watch Elite Power win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Tuesday (IRE) Tuesday (IRE) gave the ownership group of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg LTD their third victory of the weekend. The filly was ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien and breeder Coolmore. You can visit the North American headquarters of Coolmore, Ashford Stud, in Versailles, Kentucky. Watch Tuesday (IRE) win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – Cody’s Wish Arguably the most heartwarming story of Breeders’ Cup weekend was Cody’s Wish winning the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, with his namesake Cody Dorman there to cheer him on. The heartwarming story of this colt and his friend Cody is one you can’t miss. Cody’s Wish is trained by Bill Mott for owner/breeder Godolphin, and the colt was born at Gainsborough Farm.You can visit the birthplace of Cody’s Wish, Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Watch Cody’s Wish win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Caravel Caravel went wire to wire in winning the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, for owners Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables, LLC and trainer Brad Cox. Watch Caravel win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Goodnight Olive Goodnight Olive kicked off Breeders’ Cup Championship Saturday action with a win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint under jockey Irad Ortiz. The filly is trained by Chad Brown for owners First Row Partners and Team Hanley, and she was bred by Stonestreet Farm. Watch Goodnight Olive win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – Victoria Road (IRE) The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf was won by Victoria Road (IRE) and close behind him was Silver Knott, a two year old colt owned by Godolphin, LLC. Victoria Road (IRE) was the first of three wins on the weekend for the trio of jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg LTD. Watch Victoria Road (IRE) win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. Breeders Cup Juvenile – Forte The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was won by Forte, a two year old colt owned by Repole Stables and trained by Todd Pletcher, with Irad Ortiz aboard. Forte won the G1 Breeders’ Futurity Stakes at Keeneland in October, the same venue where he was sold as both a yearling and a weanling. You can visit Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. Watch Forte win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – Meditate (IRE) The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies was won by Meditate (IRE), a two year old filly ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg LTD. Watch Meditate (IRE) win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Wonder Wheel The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies was won by Wonder Wheel, a two year old filly sired by Into Mischief, standing at stud at Spendthrift Farm, and bred by Three Chimneys Farm. She also won a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race at Keeneland in October. She is trained by Mark Casse and Tyler Gaffalione was aboard for the fillies first Breeders’ Cup win. You can visit Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, Three Chimneys Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky, Watch Wonder Wheel win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint – Mischief Magic (IRE) The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint was won by Mischief Magic (IRE), a two year old colt owned and bred by Godolphin, LLC. The colt is trained by Charlie Appleby, and jockey William Buick was aboard. You can visit Godolphin’s North American headquarters at Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Watch Mischief Magic (IRE) win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
Career Bows: Future Horse Country Stallions in the Breeders’ Cup November 2, 2022 The Breeders’ Cup is the career finale for a few stallions that will be joining us here in Horse Country soon. Seven stallions are set for their final race in their respective Breeders’ Cup divisions, before heading off to local farms to stand at stud. Aloha West 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Aloha West was recently announced as an addition to Mill Ridge Farm’s stallion roster. The son of Hard Spun is entered in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint this Saturday, Nov. 5, and will retire to Mill Ridge Farm after he attempts to defend his Championship title. Cyberknife One of the leading horses from the first crop of top sire Gun Runner, Cyberknife will face off with G1 winner Cody’s Wish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Saturday, Nov. 5. After that race, the G1 Haskell Stakes winner will retire to Spendthrift Farm and begin stud duty in the 2023 breeding season. Golden Pal Golden Pal has been a dominant force on the turf since early in his career, and he is hoping to become the first male horse to win three Breeders’ Cup races in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint this Saturday, Nov. 5. After the World Championships, he will retire to stud alongside his sire Uncle Mo at Coolmore at Ashford Stud. Happy Saver Undefeated in his first five starts, Happy Saver has been a top older horse on the dirt since his victory in the 2020 G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will make his final start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, Nov. 5, before retiring to stallion duties at Airdrie Stud. Life is Good Life is Good indeed for the connections of this colt, who has won four grade one races thus far. A Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner already, he will contest the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, Nov. 5 for owner/breeder WinStar Farm, who will also stand him as a stallion. Jackie’s Warrior Joining Cyberknife as the new stallions in the Spendthrift Farm stallion barn will be Jackie’s Warrior, a five time grade one winner. The colt will seek victory in his third Breeders’ Cup start in this Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Olympiad A graduate of the Gainesway consignment at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Olympiad’s career will come full circle when he retires to stud at Gainesway Farm after the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, Nov. 5. Olympiad most recently won the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga. Be sure to tune into the races and cheer for your favorites this weekend as the best of the best compete at Keeneland Racecourse!
Horse Country Connections: 2022 Breeders’ Cup November 2, 2022 The Breeders’ Cup World Championships returns to Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky on Nov. 4 & 5. We are thrilled to see the best Thoroughbreds in the world compete right here in the heart of Horse Country. Whether you’re attending the races or watching online, we’ve put together a list of the Horse Country Connections competing in the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll be cheering these horses and their connections on this weekend! Wondering when and where to watch the Breeders’ Cup? Future Stars Friday coverage runs from 2 – 6 p.m. ET on November 4th. Watch live on USA Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Coverage resumes on Saturday, November 5th at 1 p.m. ET on USA Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, before the coverage jumps to NBC and Peacock from 3:30-6 p.m. ET. If you’re in Lexington, be sure to check out the Breeders’ Cup watch party at Tandy Park in Downtown Lexington on Friday and Saturday. Who are the Horse Country Connections running in the Breeders’ Cup? Nearly 90 horses running in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships have connections to Horse Country members – through their breeder, owner, sire or a variety of other connections. Featured below are lists of the connections, broken down by race.
Breeders’ Cup Week Guide October 28, 2022 Lexington, Kentucky is set for its time to shine once again as the host site of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This year a variety of events are being held around Lexington to showcase the many things that Kentucky has to offer. Check out some of our favorites – for travelers and locals alike! Go on a Horse Country Tour What better way to prepare for the races than to meet some of the past or future contenders? Here at Horse Country we offer tours of top stud farms, nurseries, veterinary clinics and more! These tours are great opportunities to learn more about Kentucky’s equine industry, and the many things that go into caring for and producing a quality horse. For those looking to meet past champions, we recommend one of our stud farm tours, as well as Gainsborough Farm and Mill Ridge Farm. More of a hands on, boop some noses kind of person? Our nursery farms and aftercare facilities are the best place to get up close and personal with horses. For the person who has seen it all, check out one of our equine care facilities (training center, racetrack, veterinary clinic and feed mill) and get the inside scoop on the many things that contribute to a healthy horse. Check out all of the available Breeders’ Cup week tours here, and be sure to utilize the filters to find the most up to date availability for your preferred date and time. Visit Keeneland Racecourse Keeneland Racecourse, home of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, offers a couple of options for guests wanting to learn more about the event. Looking for an in-depth look at what it takes to host the World Championships of Thoroughbred horse racing? We recommend the Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Experience, a two hour tour that takes guests through the Clubhouse and Grandstand to watch morning workouts, visits the Rice Road barn area that is otherwise closed to the general public and closes with a visit to the Keeneland Library. Keeneland will be open to the public for morning workouts from approximately 5:30 – 10 a.m. each morning through Thursday, Nov. 3. Keep an eye out for Breeders’ Cup contenders by looking for horses with numbered saddle towels during morning training, the Breeders’ Cup app has an inclusive list of these saddle towels. The Keeneland Library is open Monday through Thursday of Breeders’ Cup week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., allowing guests to view the storied history and archives housed in the library. A special exhibit showcasing the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, and Central Kentucky connections to the Breeder’s Cup, is available to view through December. Celebrate with the Breeders’ Cup Festival Celebrate the return of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to its birthplace, Central Kentucky, with an array of events around Lexington. The Post Position Draw will be held on Oct. 31 at Rupp Arena, with doors opening at 2 p.m. University of Kentucky Basketball Coach John Calipari will be joined by the UK marching band, cheerleaders and dance team to ensure guests get an authentic Rupp Arena experience. Kentucky’s native spirit will be celebrated throughout the Kentucky Bourbon Showcase at Greyline Station on Nov. 2 – Nov. 4. Taste a variety of Kentucky Bourbons and local food while enjoying musical entertainment and more. The historic Kentucky Theatre will honor the history of the horse on the big screen through HORSE, an Equine Film Festival. Seven films will be featured throughout the week, including box office hits like Secretariat and Dreamer, and documentary films like Jockey and Born to Rein that showcase the human and equine personalities that make the Thoroughbred industry unique. For a listing of all Breeders’ Cup Festival events, visit their website. Explore the Foodie Scene While Lexington has historically been known for its fast horses and quality Bourbon, the food scene has grown in recent years to one of the best in the region. Celebrate both the local and international flair of the Breeders’ Cup with the Feeders Cup, taking place across Lexington. Be sure to check out some of the newer restaurants on the Lexington food scene, including East End Tap and Table, Frank and Dino’s, and ItalX. More of a classics person – both in horse races and food? You can’t go wrong with Lockbox, Epping’s on Eastside, Keeneland Track Kitchen, Zim’s Cafe, and The Goose Lexington. About Horse Country, Inc. Based in Lexington, Ky, Horse Country is a not-for-profit membership organization that offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the equine industry through tours of member farms, veterinary clinics and other equine attractions in Kentucky. Check out Horse Country on social media: Instagram @visithorsecountry Facebook @visithorsecountry and Twitter @kyhorsecountry. For more information: www.visithorsecountry.com.
Keeneland Fall Stars Stakes Recap October 11, 2022 Keeneland’s Fall Stars weekend was truly one for the books thanks to top class racing, perfect weather and scores of fans at the Lexington, Kentucky track. This year, the fall meet coincides with the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, set to be run at Keeneland on Nov. 4 – 5. The domestic Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series wrapped up over the weekend as well, with nine ‘Win and You’re In’ races taking place at Keeneland. Challenge Series provide an all-expenses paid berth into particular Breeders’ Cup races, depending on the division. Horse Country members were represented as breeders, stallion owners, consignors and more throughout this past weekend of racing. Learn more about the winners below! Wonder Wheel (sired by Into Mischief, Spendthrift Farm; co-bred by Three Chimneys Farm) wins the G1 Darley Alcibiades on Oct. 7 at Keeneland. Photo by Grace Clark/Horse Country. Grade One Stakes Races The first G1 race of the Keeneland Fall Meet, the G1 Darley Alcibiades, went to the favored Wonder Wheel. The daughter of Spendthrift Farm stallion Into Mischief led from wire to wire, fending off the strong-closing Chop Chop to win by a nose and secure her entry in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 4. Wonder Wheel was co-bred by Three Chimneys Farm, and sold at Keeneland as a yearling. Keeneland Graduate Forte proved his tenacity with a hard-fought win in the G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity over the favored Loggins. The colt earned his place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with this victory at Keeneland. Three year old Annapolis sat just off of the pace before bounding home to win the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile by a length and a half. The colt secured his place in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on November 5 at Keeneland with the victory. 2021 Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat notched her fifth grade one victory with a romp in the G1 Juddmonte Spinster on Sunday, Oct. 9. Favored in the field of five, she sat just off of the pace and exploded in the stretch to win by 5 ¼ lengths. The filly was bred by Stonestreet Farm (who owns and bred her dam, G1 winner Dreaming of Julia) and sold for $1.05 million at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Denali Stud. Her victory in the Spinster Stakes earned her a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff next month, a race she finished third in last year. Manny Wah (sired by Will Take Charge, Three Chimneys Farm) wins the G2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes on Oct. 7 at Keeneland. Photo by Grace Clark/Horse Country. Grade Two Stakes Races The G2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes, run at six furlongs on the dirt, is a ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge Series race for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Run on Friday, Oct. 7 as the first stakes race of Fall Stars weekend, the Phoenix came down to a nail biting finish between two of the longest shots in the field. Manny Wah, a son of Three Chimneys Farm stallion Will Take Charge, prevailed by a neck over Long Range Toddy, a son of WinStar Farm stallion Take Charge Indy. Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy are actually half brothers, who have the same dam in Take Charge Lady. The globe-trotting turf sprinter Golden Pal won his berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Saturday, Oct. 8 with a strong victory in the G2 Woodford Stakes. This was his second victory in the stakes, and his fourth victory at Keeneland. Golden Pal is a son of Coolmore America stallion Uncle Mo, and his damsire Midshipman stands at Darley’s Jonabell Farm. He will seek to win his third Breeders’ Cup championship race next month in the Turf Sprint, and could become the first male horse to ever win three Breeders’ Cup races. New Mexico-bred Slammed broke sharply and never looked back in the G2 Thoroughbred Club of America on Saturday, Oct. 7, drawing away to win by 6 ½ lengths. Her victory earned her a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on November 5 at Keeneland. Andthewinneris was the first winner for Mill Ridge Farm stallion Oscar Performance at the Keeneland Spring Meet, and the colt became the first stakes winner for his sire on Sunday, Oct. 9 with a victory in the G2 Bourbon Stakes. Sitting near the back of the pack, he came flying home to win by 2 ¾ lengths over Deer District, another son of Oscar Performance. The victory for Andthewinneris secured him a spot in the gate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 4. Coolmore America stallion Mendelssohn was represented by his first stakes victory when Delight went wire to wire in the G2 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine. The filly cruised to a 5 length victory with her ears pricked as they crossed the wire. Delight’s victory earned her a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, to be held over the Keeneland turf course on Nov. 4. Listed Stakes Private Creed, a son of Spendthrift Farm stallion Jimmy Creed, picked up his second consecutive stakes victory in the Indian Summer. The Keeneland September graduate posted a strong closing victory to win by ¾ of a length, and gain a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Keeneland Fall Meet continues through Nov. 5, when the track hosts the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as the culmination of their meet. Check out our Keeneland Meet Preview here, and our Guide to Fall in Horse Country for things to do when you’re in town for the races!
Breeders’ Cup Week Available Tours October 5, 2022 The best Thoroughbreds, jockeys, owners and trainers are descending on Keeneland Racecourse this fall for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships! The event is set to take place on Nov. 4 & 5 with 14 championship races, the ultimate year-end event for Thoroughbred Horse Racing. We are so excited to celebrate the world championships of Thoroughbred horse racing with a week packed-full of experiences at some of the best breeding, training and racing operations in the world. Tours are available at over a dozen locations throughout Horse Country during Breeders’ Cup Week! Public and private tours are available, including unique experiences exclusive to Breeders’ Cup Week 2022. These tours are going fast, and we recommend purchasing your tickets soon if you are interested in visiting! See past champions and meet the next generation of racehorses during the week that celebrates the breeding and racing industry. Please note that all unique experiences, those tours with ‘Breeders’ Cup’ in the name, are fully non-refundable. Current public tour availability is listed below, and is subject to change. Availability as of Oct. 5, 2022. Blackwood Stables Visit Blackwood Stables | Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2, 4 & 5 at 9am Denali Stud Visit Denali Stud | Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2, & 3 at various timesSerena’s Song Meet & Greet | Nov. 1 at 11am Godolphin at Jonabell Farm Visit Jonabell Farm Stallion Complex Walking Tour | Nov. 1 at 10am Hallway Feeds Visit Hallway Feeds | Oct. 31 & Nov. 3 at 10:30am and 1:30pm Keeneland Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Experience | Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1, 2 & 3 at 8am Lane’s End Farm Lane’s End Farm Breeders’ Cup Shuttle Experience | Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2 & 3 at various times Mill Ridge Farm Visit Mill Ridge Farm, Breeders’ Cup Week 2022 | Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 at various timesMill Ridge Farm Breeders’ Cup Experience | Nov. 1 at 10:30am New Vocations Visit New Vocations | Nov. 2 at 2pm Runnymede Farm Visit Runnymede Farm | Nov. 5 at 10am and 2pm & Nov. 6 at 2pm Spendthrift Farm Breeders’ Cup Champion Stallion Tour | Oct. 31, Nov. 1 & 2 at 2pmFuture of Breeders’ Cup Shuttle Tour | Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2 & 6 at 11:30am Three Chimneys Farm Visit Three Chimneys | Oct. 29, 30, 31 & Nov. 1 at 10am WinStar Farm Extended Shuttle Tour of WinStar Farm | Oct. 29 at 10:30am Visit WinStar Farm | Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 at 11:30am Private tours are also available for request at Darby Dan Farm, Mill Ridge Farm, New Vocations, Runnymede Farm and WinStar Farm. Click here for a listing of all tours available during Breeders’ Cup Week 2022. Looking for more information on things to do in Lexington during Breeders’ Cup week? Visit the Breeders’ Cup festival website for more details. Be sure to check out the Breeders’ Cup website for more information on tickets, the races and past champions.
Fall Guide to Horse Country October 5, 2022 Fall is the perfect time to experience the best that the Bluegrass has to offer! Check out our Guide to Fall in Horse Country for suggestions on some of our must-see activities in Central Kentucky during the autumn months. Visit a horse farmCome enjoy the crisp fall air and brightly colored leaves on a tour of one of Kentucky’s famed horse farms! Our tour experiences are a great way for fans of all interest and experience levels to get a behind the scenes look at why Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World. Depending on your tour choice, you might pet and/or feed horses, learn about the training process, see Kentucky Derby winning stallions and more. A number of farms and facilities are offering tours during the fall, including stallion and nursery farms, aftercare facilities, training operations and other equine care facilities. For the most up-to-date availability, please click here and utilize the filters located in the left hand corner. Go racing at KeenelandKeeneland Racecourse is home to two of the most prestigious race meets in the world, along with a prominent Thoroughbred auction house. The Keeneland fall meet kicks off on Friday, October 7th and runs through October 29th. Races are hosted during the week from Wednesday – Sunday, gates open at 11 am and post time is 1:05 pm. Head out to the races to see elite Thoroughbreds, place a few win bets and be sure to try some Keeneland Bread Pudding! Tickets are required for race days, and can be purchased here. Looking for a unique raceday experience? Be sure to check out the Keeneland Owners Experience. Along with its fall meet, Keeneland is hosting the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on November 4th and 5th. The Breeders’ Cup brings together the best of the best Thoroughbred racehorses in 13 championship races. Learn more and purchase tickets here.Watch Thoroughbreds train at KeenelandEvery day, horses take to the track at Keeneland to exercise. Visitors may see horses jogging, galloping or breezing on the main track as they work on their fitness prior to their next race. Keeneland morning workouts are open to the general public, but are made even more special with a tour! Get a behind the scenes look at Keeneland on one of their tours, including the Morning Works Tour, Backstretch Tour and Road to the Breeders’ Cup tour. We recommend stopping by the track kitchen after workouts for a hearty breakfast – you can’t go wrong with the baked apples! Enjoy the day at an orchard or pumpkin patch Central Kentucky is home to a number of agri-tourism locations that provide a great opportunity to pick your own apples, pumpkins and other fall favorites! Sip on some cider, enjoy a delicious baked good and pick the perfect jack-o-lantern at one of the many orchards in the area. Some of our local favorites include: Evans Orchard (Georgetown), Eckert’s Orchard (Versailles) and Stepping Stone Farm (Paris). Experience the fall scenery on a hike Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors here in the Bluegrass! Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Lexington is home to 700+ acres of natural scenery, not too far from downtown Lexington. There are ten miles of trails at the park, and it is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and see views of the Kentucky River Palisades area. Just an hour away in Slade sits the Red River Gorge, a world-renowned natural landscape with hiking trails and gorgeous scenery. The area has views of arches, rock shelters and more ancient Kentucky landscapes, and we recommend taking a hike and visiting Natural Bridge State Park!
Keeneland September Yearling Sale Begins September 12, 2022 Today kicks off the Keeneland September Yearling Sale – one of the most prestigious sales events in the Thoroughbred industry! Over 4,000 Thoroughbred yearlings are cataloged for the sale, which runs from Sept. 12 – 24. The Keeneland September Yearling Sale is an annual event that brings some of the biggest names in Thoroughbred breeding and racing from all around the world to Central Kentucky. Sales are the culmination of many years of work, from choosing a sire and dam, to breeding, raising and preparing the horse from the foaling barn to the sales ring. The sale is broken down into six ‘books’, or catalogs, which are separated by sale date and perceived value. Book 1 horses are typically those that are seen as premium sales prospects, and each subsequent book includes horses more suited for lower budgets. A number of factors go into appraising horses, including their pedigree, conformation, athletic ability and more, and the Keeneland sales team travels to farms to see these horses in the months leading up to the auction to assess their possible value. Each horse is then assigned a hip number which corresponds to the approximate date of their sale as well. Employees have worked to prepare these horses for the big stage by grooming, exercising and handling them daily for the past few months to ensure their manners and physique are at their best. Horses will arrive at Keeneland a few days prior to their scheduled day in the sales ring to be shown to potential buyers. Buyers will then analyze a horse’s pedigree and physical appearance before bidding. When it comes time for a yearling to head to the auction ring, the yearling, their handler, and an additional groom (or more than one!) will head to the ‘back ring’. The back ring gives buyers one last chance to view a horse as they are showcased prior to heading to the auction ring. Horses will be in the ring for just a few minutes at maximum, as they are bid on and hopefully sold. Once a horse is sold, it will head to its new home and prepare for the process of learning to be a racehorse! A bit overwhelmed with all of the sales terminology? Check out Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale Dictionary, or even better – take a Behind the Sales tour at Keeneland to see the action firsthand! The sale can be watched live here, starting at 1 p.m. ET on 9/12. The catalog can be viewed online here. A number of Horse Country members are involved in the sale as consignors, breeders, stallion owners and even sales host! We’re wishing the best to all participants, especially our members and the host of the sale, Keeneland.
Racing Recap: Weekend of August 27th August 31, 2022 While the summer is coming to a close, that just means that we are headed into the ultra-competitive fall racing season. The road to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is top priority for a number of horses and their connections, and along the way lie a variety of top-level races. This past weekend was highlighted by Saratoga Racecourse’s Travers Stakes Day, which included six graded stakes races. Check out some of the #HorseCountryConnections below, and we’d like to send our congratulations to all involved with these horses! G1 Travers Stakes – Epicenter G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Preakness Stakes runner-up Epicenter put in his claim for top three year old colt with a definitive victory in the G1 Travers Stakes. Known as the Midsummer Derby, the Travers Stakes bring together some of the best three-year-olds each year. Epicenter is a son of Not This Time, who stands at Taylor Made Farm. You can visit Taylor Made Farm, the home of Not This Time and his dam Miss Macy Sue! Click here to book your tour. G1 Personal Ensign Stakes – Malathaat Kentucky Oaks (2021) winner and Eclipse Champion Malathaat got back to her winning ways with a victory in the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes. This was the fourth G1 win for the filly, who is out of Stonestreet Farm’s Dreaming of Julia. She was bred by Stonestreet, and consigned by Denali Stud at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $1.05 million. You can visit the nursery division of both Stonestreet Farm and Denali Stud for a more in depth look at the process of raising Thoroughbreds and preparing them for the sales. You may even get to pet and feed some mares and foals when you visit! Click here to visit Stonestreet Farm, and click here to visit Denali Stud . G1 Forego Stakes – Cody’s Wish G1 Forego Stakes – Cody’s Wish, bred, raised and owned by Godolphin. Cody’s Wish is named after Cody Dorman, a racing fan who met the colt and his mother, G1 winner Dance Card, at Gainsborough Farm through the Make a Wish program. The colt notched his first G1 win in the Forego Stakes, defeating champion sprinter Jackie’s Warrior. You can visit Gainsborough Farm, and have the chance to see his dam Dance Card and his siblings! Book your tour here. G1 Allen Jerkens Stakes – Jack Christopher G1 Allen Jerkens Memorial – Jack Christopher Jack Christopher avenged his loss in the G1 Haskell Stakes one start back with a strong victory in the G1 Allen Jerkens Memorial, a top-rated sprint race for three year olds. The colt is a son of Munnings, who stands at Coolmore at Ashford Stud. You can visit Coolmore at Ashford Stud, the home of Munnings! Book your tour here. G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes – Laurel River On the West Coast, Del Mar racing hosted a great weekend of graded stakes as well. The G2 Pat O’ Brien Stakes went to the four year old colt Laurel River. A son of Spendthrift Farm’s stallion Into Mischief, Laurel River has earned a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile thanks to his win in the Pat O’ Brien Stakes. You can visit the Spendthrift Farm stallion complex, home of Into Mischief, on a tour of their farm! Click here to book your tour. Be sure to follow along with our #BitbyBitBlog as we follow the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, as well as other big racing events throughout the rest of the year!
Breeders’ Cup Week Tours August 24, 2022 The best Thoroughbreds, jockeys, owners and trainers are descending on Keeneland Racecourse this fall for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships! The event is set to take place on Nov. 4 & 5 with 14 championship races, the ultimate year-end event for Thoroughbred Horse Racing. We are so excited to celebrate the world championships of Thoroughbred horse racing with a week packed-full of experiences at some of the best breeding, training and racing operations in the world. Stay tuned to our Bit by Bit Blog and social media channels as we follow along with the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and commemorate the many connections to Breeders’ Cup here in Horse Country. Tours are available at over a dozen locations throughout Horse Country during Breeders’ Cup Week! Public and private tours are available, including unique experiences exclusive to Breeders’ Cup Week 2022. See past champions and meet the next generation of racehorses during the week that celebrates the breeding and racing industry. Please note that all unique experiences, those tours with ‘Breeders’ Cup’ in the name, are fully non-refundable. Click here for a listing of all tours available during Breeders’ Cup Week 2022. Looking for more information on things to do in Lexington during Breeders’ Cup week? Visit the Breeders’ Cup festival website for more details. Be sure to check out the Breeders’ Cup website for more information on tickets, the races and past champions.
Fasig-Tipton July kicks off Yearling Sale Season July 13, 2022 The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearling Sale was held this week in Lexington, and served as the kickoff to the yearling sales season in North America. A boutique sale, with around 300 entries in one day, the Fasig-Tipton July Sale featured exciting yearlings by first crop sires along with some of the most popular stallions in the country. Seven Horse Country members had consignments, and ten members had stallions that were represented with yearlings. Farms that have consignments at these sales work with the yearlings for months in advance to get them prepared for the sale. Yearling prep, as it is known in the racing industry, involves daily exercise to keep the fitness levels up and build muscle tone, handling the horses to ensure they are easy to work with and grooming to ensure that the horses look great for potential buyers! Once horses arrive at the sale grounds, they will be shown to potential buyers who view the horses as they are walking and examine their conformation to determine if they are interested in purchasing the horse. Along with viewing the ‘physical’ of the horse, buyers will analyze their pedigree and the race records of their maternal and paternal families. The following Horse Country members offered consignments at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Airdrie Stud – 3 horses sold for a total of $280,000, including a $130,000 colt by Summer Front. Darby Dan – 4 horses sold for a total of $322,000, including a $160,000 colt by Copper Bullet. Denali Stud – 4 horses sold for a total of $770,000, including a $320,000 colt by Munnings. Gainesway Farm – 8 horses sold for a total of $2,035,000, including the sales-topping $600,000 colt by Curlin.Lane’s End Farm – 1 colt by Catholic Boy sold for a total of $10,000. Mill Ridge Farm – 1 colt by Practical Joke sold for a total of $20,000. Taylor Made Sales – 26 horses sold for a total of $2,833,000, including a $225,000 colt by Candy Ride. The Fasig-Tipton July Sale is the first time that yearlings by a number of new stallions have been available for public offering. These stallions entered stud in 2020, and currently stand at a Horse Country member farm. Audible (WinStar Farm) – nine yearlings sold for a total of $1,230,000. Catalina Cruiser (Lane’s End Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $385,000. Copper Bullet (Darby Dan Farm) – three yearlings sold for a total of $288,000. Enticed (Godolphin at Jonabell) – three yearlings sold for a total of $180,000. Flameaway (Darby Dan Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $427,000Maximus Mischief (Spendthrift Farm) – ten yearlings sold for a total of $700,000Mitole (Spendthrift Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $542,000Omaha Beach (Spendthrift Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $1,180,000Preservationist (Airdrie Stud) – one yearling sold for a total of $50,000Vino Rosso (Spendthrift Farm) – eleven yearlings sold for a total of $1,490,000 Row one, left to right: Hip 40 – filly by Enticed | Hip 39 – colt by Catalina Cruiser | Hip 59 – colt by Maximus Mischief, consigned by Taylor Made SalesRow two, left to right: Hip 61 – colt by Audible, consigned by Denali Stud | Hip 46 – colt by Vino Rosso | Hip 87 – filly by FlameawayRow three, left to right: Hip 11 – filly by Copper Bullet | Hip 70 – filly by Mitole | Hip 98 – colt by Omaha Beach For more information on Fasig-Tipton, please visit their website.
Real Rider Cup a Success for Thoroughbred Aftercare July 11, 2022 Over the weekend, members of the Thoroughbred racing industry competed in The Real Rider Cup at New Vocations in support of Thoroughbred aftercare, including some of our very own Horse Country members! The Real Rider Cup is a charity competition in which racing industry personalities pair up with retired Thoroughbred racehorses to compete in show jumping class. Their goal is to raise a minimum of $1,000 per rider to directly support the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Retired Racehorse Project. The event brings together employees of breeding and racing operations, media professionals, trainers, jockeys, owners and more in support of Thoroughbred aftercare! The Real Rider Cup was first held in 2017, and went virtual for 2021 and 2022. This is the first year that the event will be held in two locations – Kentucky and Maryland. Thirty riders competed over the course of jumps, as both individuals and team, in Lexington, Kentucky at New Vocations’ Mereworth Farm. The riders wore silks of their choice – either their employers, sponsors or a connection to their horse on the racetrack! Airdrie Stud, Godolphin, Lane’s End Farm, Stonestreet Farm and WinStar Farm saw their silks donned for the event. Airdrie Stud was represented by Jocelyn Brooks, Director of Sales, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute was represented by Mary Sheerin, Marketing Manager, and Hallway Feeds was represented by Kara Knochelmann, Customer Service Specialist. Both Jocelyn and Mary also serve as the Horse Country tour guides for their respective locations! Jesslyn Woodall, sporting the WinStar Farm silks won the individual division, and Team Blood-Horse (Jesslyn Woodall, John Ennis and Lauren Gash) took home the victory in the team event. As of Saturday evening, the Lexington leg of the Real Rider Cup had raised over $90,000 for Thoroughbred aftercare! Congratulations to everyone involved, and we can’t wait to tune in for the Maryland leg later this year. For more information on the Real Rider Cup, please visit their website. Aidrie Stud’s Jocelyn Brooks aboard Perpetual Optimism, wearing the Airdrie Stud silks.Hagyard’s Mary Sheerin aboard Turk, wearing the Godolphin silks.Jesslyn Watson and Lead Player, wearing the WinStar Farm silks.Larkspur Carroll and Promise Me Freedom, wearing the Lane’s End Farm silks.Hallway Feed’s Kara Knochelmann and Rolli Coaster, wearing the Michael Ann Ewing Racing Stable silks.
Father’s Day in Horse Country June 15, 2022 Father’s Day is just around the corner – this Sunday, June 19th! If you’re still looking for some ways to spend the day, check out our list of available horse farm tours and suggestions for other ways to celebrate Pops! Horse Farm Tours We have a few different opportunities to visit a horse farm on Father’s Day, including tours at stud farms to see some of the famous fathers of the Thoroughbred Racing & Sport Horse industry! 10 a.m. – TRF at Chestnut Hall | Prospect | Meet retired thoroughbred at this sanctuary farm 10 a.m. – Gainsborough Farm | Versailles | Shuttle tour featuring mares and foals 10 a.m. – Jonabell Farm | Lexington | Home of the Darley Stallions 10:30 a.m. – Mill Ridge Farm | Lexington | Mares, foals & stallion Oscar Performance 10:30 a.m. – Spy Coast Farm | Lexington | Experience elite show jumping first hand 12:30 p.m. – Lane’s End Farm | Versailles | Experience this renowned stallion roster 12:30 p.m. – Spendthrift Farm | Lexington | Home of Kentucky Derby winner Authentic 2 p.m. – Runnymede Farm | Paris | One of Kentucky’s oldest horse farms 3:30 p.m. – Mill Ridge Farm | Lexington | Mares, foals & stallion Oscar Performance Grade One-winning Liam’s Map, one of the stallions at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Bourbon Tours Check out our friends at the Kentucky Distillers Association for a comprehensive list of the different bourbon-themed tours in Kentucky. Whether you are a bourbon enthusiast or not, these tours are a great way to learn more about one of Kentucky’s signature industries! Nearby distilleries to Horse Country locations include: Barrel House Distilling Company (Lexington), Bluegrass Distillers (Lexington), Castle & Key (Frankfort), Four Roses Distillery (Lawrenceburg), Hartfield & Co. (Paris), James E. Pepper Distillery (Lexington), Town Branch Distillery (Lexington), Wild Turkey Distillery (Lawrenceburg) and Woodford Reserve (Versailles). Town Branch Distillery is located in Lexington, Kentucky, just outside of downtown. Take a Hike Central Kentucky is the perfect place for folks who like to spend time outdoors! From easy trails to challenging hikes, there’s something for everyone. A few of our favorites include the Red River Gorge – in particular Natural Bridge (Slade), Shaker Village (Harrodsburg), Raven Run (Lexington), The Pinnacles (Berea) and the Kentucky River Palisades. Check out VisitLex for a great directory of all things outdoors to check out in the Lexington area. The view from atop the famed Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge, just an hour from Lexington in Slade, Kentucky. Gift Ideas Haven’t found the perfect gift yet? We’ve got some last minute equine and Kentucky-themed gift ideas for you! Horse Country Champion Sire Hoodie: For that main dad dude in your life, our navy blue Champion Sire sweatshirt. Plus – it’s on sale!Horse Country Member Hats: Perfect for a day at the lake, running to the store or just enjoying time outside. Keeneland Mercantile: located in Downtown Lexington, this shop is a great place for all sorts of Kentucky-themed products including leather goods, apparel and more. Be sure to check out our Summer Bucket List & Giveaway for more things to do and ways to stay involved with Horse Country. The Champion Sire hoodie, found on the Shop Horse Country online store.
Belmont Stakes Winners in Horse Country June 8, 2022 Spring is a time for big dreams here in the Bluegrass. Foaling season is in full swing, and with every new foal born comes the hope that they are the next superstar on and off the racetrack. Each foal has the potential to become the next great equine athlete, and that hope drives the breeding and racing industry. The Triple Crown brings to light these hopes and dreams unlike anything else in Thoroughbred horse racing, a chance to become one of the few horses to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and have their name etched in the history books. The final leg of the Triple Crown, the G1 Belmont Stakes, is set to be contested this Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park just outside of New York City. Horse Country is home to some of the top racehorses before, during and after their racing careers, including nine of the past twelve winners of the G1 Belmont Stakes. Learn more about these winners who now call Horse Country member locations home! 2021 – Essential Quality After landing just out of the money at the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Essential Quality went on to beat Hot Rod Charlie by one length in the 2021 Belmont Stakes. Essential Quality is owned by Horse Country member Godolphin. Members who visited Jonabell Farm (now the Godolphin mares and foals live at Gainsborough Farm) in 2018 more than likely saw Essential Quality as a foal! Essential Quality now stands at Jonabell Farm, and you can learn more and book a tour here. 2020 – Tiz the Law In 2020, the order of the Triple Crown races was changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic – the Triple Crown started with the Belmont Stakes followed by the Kentucky Derby and finished with the Preakness Stakes. The order change caused the Belmont Stakes to be shortened to 1 ⅛ miles instead of the regular 1 ½ miles. Tiz the Law rolled home in the 2020 Belmont Stakes by over one length. Tiz the Law now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here. 2018 – Justify Just a few years off of the Triple Crown triumph of American Pharoah, the undefeated Justify followed in the hoofprints of his future stablemate in becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner. Owned by Horse Country member WinStar Farm in partnership with China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC and Starlight Racing, Justify strode to a single length victory under jockey Mike Smith. Justify now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here. 2017 – Tapwrit Tapwrit entered the 2017 Belmont Stakes with 5-1 odds, second favorite behind Irish War Cry. Tapwrit stayed in the middle for a majority of the race, gradually closing in on Irish War Cry, going on to win the race by two lengths. Tapwrit currently is standing at stud at Gainesway. To learn more and book your tour click here. 2015 – American Pharoah American Pharoah entered the Belmont Stakes off of impressive victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. His victory in the Belmont Stakes crowned him the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first one in 37 years. American Pharoah now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here. 2014 – Tonalist Tonalist made waves with his Belmont Stakes win after surpassing the favored California Chrome, who was attempting to win the Triple Crown. Prior to running in the Belmont, Tonalist won the Peter Pan Stakes in May of 2014, making him the first horse since A.P. Indy in 1992 to win the Peter Pan and Belmont Stakes double. Tonalist is currently standing at Lane’s End Farm. Learn more about Lane’s End and book a tour here. 2013 – Palice Malice Palace Malice was eager to redeem himself after being overtaken in the Kentucky Derby to finish 12th. In the Belmont, Jockey Mike Smith went on to keep his colt behind the leaders for a majority of the race, before passing them on the final stretch and winning by three and a quarter lengths. Palice Malice now stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour here. 2012 – Union Rags After a rough start in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Michael Matz set his sights on the Belmont Stakes for his colt Union Rags. Union Rags won by a neck after a battle for first with Paynter in the final strides of the race. Union Rags currently stands at Lane’s End Farm. Learn more and book a tour here. 2010 – Drosselmeyer Drosselmeyer entered into the Belmont Stakes at 13-1 odds and a new jockey, Mike Smith. When the race was underway Smith kept Drosselmeyer on the outside of the pack and a few lengths back to conserve his energy for the home stretch. This was the right call as they passed the favorites for the race, Ice Box and First Dude, to win the race by 1 ¾ lengths. Drosselmeyer stands at Winstar Farm beside his father Distorted Humor. Learn more and book a tour here.
Horse Country Connections: 2022 Belmont Stakes June 7, 2022 The final jewel of the Triple Crown is set to be contested just outside of New York City this weekend. The Belmont Stakes will be run at Belmont Park over a distance of 1 1/2th miles. Eight horses will head to post this Saturday, June 11 for their chance at the blanket of white carnations and the history books. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike returns to the races, five weeks after his shocking 80-1 upset on the First Saturday in May. He is set to face a handful of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes runners, along with some newcomers to the Triple Crown series. Among the nine contenders is Kentucky Oaks runner-up Nest, the only filly to race in this year’s edition. Fillies have only won the Belmont Stakes three times; Ruthless in 1867, Tanya in 1905 and most recently, Rags to Riches in 2007. The field for the G1 Belmont Stakes has connections to several of our Horse Country members, and we will be rooting them on this weekend! Post time for the Belmont Stakes is approximately 6:45 p.m. ET, and the race and all pre-race coverage will be streamed live on NBC and the Peacock app. Airdrie Stud Creative Minister (post position #5) is by Airdrie Stud stallion Creative Cause. Coolmore at Ashford Stud Mo Donegal (post position #6) is by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo. Keeneland We The People (post position #1), Skippylongstocking (post position #2), Nest (post position #3), Creative Minister (post position #5) and Mo Donegal (post position #6) were all sold at Keeneland as yearlings.We The People (post position #1), Golden Glider (post position #7) and Barber Road (post position #8) were sold at Keeneland as a weanling.Nest (post position #3) won the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland this spring. Taylor Made Farm We The People (post position #1) was consigned by Taylor Made as a weanling at the Keeneland November Sale. WinStar Farm We The People (post position #1) is by WinStar Farm stallion Constitution, and is owned by WinStar Farm along with their partners CMNWLTH and Siena Farm. To learn more about the Belmont Stakes, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Horse Country Connections: 2022 Preakness Stakes May 17, 2022 The middle jewel of the Triple Crown is set to be contested in Baltimore, Maryland this weekend. The Preakness Stakes, set two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, is run at Pimlico Racecourse over a distance of 1 3/16ths miles. Nine horses will head to post this Saturday, May 21 for their chance at the blanket of black-eyed susans and the history books. Though Rich Strike, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby will not be running, there is a strong field set for the Preakness Stakes. Among the nine contenders is Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath, the only filly to race in this year’s edition. Fillies have won the middle jewel six times, including 2020 victor Swiss Skydiver and 2009 victor Rachel Alexandra. Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter looks to hit the wire first just two weeks after his 3/4 length loss in the Run for the Roses, and is joined by fourth-place Derby finisher Simplification. The field for the G1 Preakness Stakes has connections to several of our Horse Country members, and we will be rooting them on this weekend! Post time for the Preakness Stakes is approximately 6:45 p.m. ET, and the race and all pre-race coverage will be streamed live on NBC, NBCsports.com and the Peacock app. Airdrie Stud Creative Minister (post position #2) is by Airdrie Stud stallion Creative Cause. Gainesway Farm Fenwick (post position #3) was consigned/sold by Gainesway Farm as a yearling. Keeneland Armagnac (post position #7), Simplification (post position #1) and Skippylongstocking (post position #9) were all sold at Keeneland as yearlings. Lane’s End Farm Armagnac (post position #7) is by Lane’s End Farm stallion Quality Road. Taylor Made Farm Simplification (post position #1) is by Taylor Made Farm stallion Not This Time, and was consigned by Taylor Made Sales as a yearling. Epicenter (post position #8) is by Taylor Made Farm stallion Not This Time. Three Chimneys Farm Early Voting (post position #5) is by Three Chimneys Farm stallion Gun Runner, and was bred by Three Chimneys Farm. To learn more about the Preakness Stakes, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event returns to normalcy May 2, 2022 One of the world’s premier equestrian competitions returned to full capacity this past weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The CCI5*-L Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event attracts some of the best horse and rider combinations in the sport of eventing, which combines the disciplines of dressage, cross country and stadium jumping into one competition. The event welcomed tens of thousands of fans this year after a two year spectator-hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Land Rover Kentucky was canceled in 2020, and the event was held without fans in 2021. Visitors were back in full force for the 2022 edition, with horse lovers from all around filling the stadium, cross country field and trade fair areas. This year, along with the CCI5*-L, the event hosted the inaugural CCI4*-S Lexington Three Day Event and a two-day show jumping competition. Over 100 horse and rider pairs competed throughout the weekend in the different events. This year also saw the return of three-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung, a three-time champion at the Kentucky Three Day Event who was making his first appearance since 2018. Representing Germany, Jung brought a horse new to the CCI5*-L level in FischerChipmunk FRH. Jung kicked off the competition with a stellar performance in the dressage ring, setting a CCI5*-L record low score of 20.1 penalties. After two days of dressage, he maintained a steady lead over Great Britain’s Sarah Bullimore and Corouet, 25.7 penalties, in second and USA’s Buck Davidson and Carlevo, 27.4 penalties, in third. Dressage is a discipline in which combinations perform a variety of movements as they are written in a set test. The test allows horse and rider pairs to demonstrate their grace on the flat, with an emphasis on suppleness, concentration and connection. After the quiet harmony of dressage, the combinations head outside of the arena for what is arguably the most popular discipline of the weekend – cross country. Cross country takes the connection and concentration displayed in dressage, and applies it on a jumping course of natural-looking, traditionally solid jumps. These jumps are similar to what horse and rider pairs would see while fox hunting or trail riding and include logs, ditches, water combinations and more. Cross country is often a game changer for the leaderboard, as participants can rack up penalty points for finishing over the time or having a refusal on course. Jung is known for his precision on the cross country course, and his ride on FischerChipmunk FRH was no different. The pair came home inside the time to keep their lead, ahead of popular American rider Boyd Martin and his gelding Tsetserleg TSF in second, and Great Britain’s Yasmin Ingham and her mount Banzai Du Loir in third. Top from left: Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir (GBR); Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH (GER); Megan O’ Donoghue and Palm Crescent (USA).Bottom from left: Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF (USA); Phillip Dutton and Sea of Clouds (USA). For the final day of competition, the competitors ride in reverse order of standing on the stadium jumping course. Stadium jumping differs from cross country in that the jumps, unlike cross country obstacles, are easy to knock down. It’s not uncommon for horses to knock down rails in the stadium phase, emphasizing the need for endurance and a careful horse on the final day of competition. A few rails and time faults changed around the leaderboard prior to Michael Jung entering the ring, with just six total riders putting in a double clear out of thirty who contested the final round of competition. Coming into the final round in third place, Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg had a few unlucky rails to drop them out of the top three. Doug Payne and Quantum Leap advanced to third place, and as the highest placing American combination, took home the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship. Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir held on to second place with a score of 31.7 penalties, earning just .8 time penalties in the Rolex Stadium. Ingham earned the title of top young rider in just her third appearance at the CCI5*-L level. Jung entered the ring as the final combination to contest the course, with the ability to knock down two rails and still keep the top spot. Putting in a double clear round, he and FischerChipmunk FRH ended the weekend on a historic score of 20.1, the lowest CCI5*-L score in the history of the sport. Pippa Funnell of GBR celebrates a double clear round aboard Maybach to finish sixth. Doug Payne and Quantam Leap during the stadium jumping portion of the event. Yasmin Ingham of GBR celebrates placing second in the CCI5*-L Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian aboard her mount Banzai Du Loir. Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH of Germany put in the winning round in the CCI5*-L Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian. Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH of Germany after winning the CCI5*-L Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian. Courtney Carson, groom for rider Doug Payne, kisses Quantum Leap after his third place finish in the event. Payne and Quantum Leap were named Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champions at the event. “I had a really great feeling in the warm-up, and it makes you a bit more relaxed, but the pressure is on and it was like a test for (the world championships later this year),” said Jung. “So I tried to stay really concentrated and focused with this horse. He’s amazing … I was able to enjoy every phase through this competition.” Jung took home a year lease of a brand new Land Rover and a brand new Rolex watch, among other prizes, for his victory. Horse Country members were involved and connected to this signature event in a number of ways, including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute which served as a major sponsor, and the Secretariat Center and New Vocations who participated in demonstrations related to the versatility of off the track thoroughbreds. The 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event will be held April 27-30, 2023. For more information on the event, please click here.
