Horse Country Connections: 2022 Kentucky Oaks April 28, 2022 Every year on the First Friday in May, the Kentucky Oaks brings together the best three year old fillies. The filly equivalent to the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks is the culmination of years of planning and preparation for these horses and their connections. The winner of the Kentucky Oaks receives a blanket of pink lillies draped over their back as they head into the famed Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle. We are a little over a week away from the Kentucky Oaks, so we have put together a list of the contenders with #HorseCountryConnections! For many of the contenders this year, their journeys began in, have run through, or are connected to Horse Country. We are so excited for our members who have a connection to our industry’s signature race. This list is based off of the most recent update to the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. The post position draw for the race will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for more updates ahead of the 2022 Kentucky Oaks. Airdrie Stud – Visit Airdrie Stud | Derby Week 2022 Kathleen O – sired by Airdrie stallion Upstart. Godolphin – Visit Jonabell Farm | Derby Week 2022 (stallions) & Visit Gainsborough Farm | Derby Week 2022 (mares and foals) Nostalgic – sired by Darley stallion Medaglia d’Oro and bred, raised and owned by Godolphin. Turnerloose – sired by Darley stallion Nyquist. Spendthrift Farm – Visit Spendthrift Farm | Derby Week 2022 Ain’t Easy – sired by Spendthrift stallion Into Mischief. Lane’s End Farm – Visit Lane’s End Farm | Derby Week 2022 Goddess of Fire – sired by Lane’s End stallion Mineshaft. Hidden Connection – sired by Lane’s End stallion Connect.Candy Raid – sired by Lane’s End stallion Candy Ride. Keeneland – Keeneland Morning Works Tour and Keeneland Backstretch Tour Kathleen O – sold at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. Echo Zulu – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale. Nest – won the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in April, and was sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale. Turnerloose – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale. Hidden Connection – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.Cocktail Moments – placed second in the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in April, and was sold at Keeneland twice, during the 2019 November Sale and 2020 September Yearling Sale. Candy Raid – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale.Ain’t Easy – sold at the 2020 September Yearling Sale. Coolmore at Ashford Stud – Visit Coolmore at Ashford Stud* Desert Dawn – sired by Coolmore stallion Cupid. Cocktail Moments – sired by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo. Shahama – sired by Coolmore stallion Munnings. Adare Manor – sired by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo. Stonestreet Farm | Visit Stonestreet Farm* Candy Raid – bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC Gainesway Farm Kathleen O – co-bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. and Bridlewood Farm. Three Chimneys Farm Echo Zulu – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner. Shotgun Hottie – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner. Beguine – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner. * denotes that tours are available outside of Kentucky Derby week. To learn more about the Kentucky Derby, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Horse Country Connections: 2022 Kentucky Derby April 22, 2022 Every May, the Kentucky Derby brings the world’s attention to the Bluegrass state. Years of preparation comes down to two minutes for the three year old horses and their connections, all hoping to have a blanket of roses draped across their horse in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle. We are a little over two weeks away from the First Saturday in May, so we put together a list of the contenders with #HorseCountryConnections! For many of the contenders this year, their journeys began in, have run through, or are connected to Horse Country. We are so excited for our members who have a connection to our industry’s signature race. This list is based off of the most recent update to the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. The post position draw for the race will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for more updates ahead of the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Taylor Made Farm – Visit Taylor Made Farm | Derby Week 2022 Epicenter – sired by Taylor Made stallion Not This Time Simplification – sired by Taylor Made stallion Not This Time, and consigned by Taylor Made as a weanling. In Due Time – sired by Taylor Made stallion Not This Time. Airdrie Stud – Visit Airdrie Stud | Derby Week 2022 Zandon – sired by Airdrie stallion Upstart and bred by Airdrie Stud’s Brereton C. Jones.Summer is Tomorrow – sired by Airdrie stallion Summer Front and bred by Airdrie Stud’s Brereton C. Jones. Spendthrift Farm – Visit Spendthrift Farm | Derby Week 2022 White Abarrio – bred by Spendthrift Farm. Tiz the Bomb – sired by Spendthrift stallion Hit it a Bomb and bred by Spendthrift Farm. Lane’s End Farm – Visit Lane’s End Farm | Derby Week 2022 Ethereal Road – sired by Lane’s End stallion Quality Road. Keeneland – Keeneland Morning Works Tour and Keeneland Backstretch Tour Zandon – won the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland this month. Smile Happy – placed second in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes a Keeneland this month, and was sold at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.Tiz the Bomb – won the G2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland last fall. Tawny Port – won the G3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland this month, and was sold at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.Barber Road – broke his maiden (won his first race) at Keeneland last fall, and was sold at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.Summer is Tomorrow – sold at Keeneland twice, during the 2019 November Sale and 2020 September Yearling Sale. Coolmore at Ashford Stud – Visit Coolmore at Ashford Stud* Mo Donegal – sired by Coolmore stallion Uncle Mo. Zozos – sired by Coolmore stallion Munnings. Gainesway Farm Charge It – sired by Gainesway stallion Tapit. Happy Jack – damsire is Gainesway stallion Tapit. Three Chimneys Farm Taiba – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner. Cyberknife – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner. Early Voting – sired by Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner. * denotes that tours are available outside of Kentucky Derby week. To learn more about the Kentucky Derby, check them out online here or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Making the Most of Your Keeneland Visit April 5, 2022 Each year, springtime in Kentucky is unofficially marked by the beginning of Keeneland Racecourse’s Spring Meet. This year, the meet runs from April 8th to 29th every day aside from Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday. Whether you are traveling from within the Commonwealth or states away, we have a number of suggestions to make the most of your trip to Keeneland! Center Photo Courtesy of Coyle Photo/Keeneland Behind the Scenes Tours Have you ever wondered what a race day is like for racehorse owners? Or what a morning is like on the backstretch of a racetrack? Keeneland offers a variety of tours to give a behind the scenes peek into the lives of racehorses and their connections. Morning Workouts TourLearn more about the uniqueness of Keeneland on this tour that focuses on the racing and sales operations housed at this historic racetrack. Keeneland Owner’s Experience The ultimate experience for a racing fan, experience the races as if you are a racehorse owner – from the saddling paddock to the final stretch!Behind the Racing TourPeek into what a raceday is like for jockeys and thoroughbreds alike with an insider’s look at the Jockey’s Quarters, barn area, morning workouts and more. Backstretch Tour Catch a glimpse into the different activities that occur every day in the stable area, or backstretch, including race horses being bathed, walked, trained and more! The tour will also visit the main track, training track, Racing Office and Sales Pavilion. Where to Eat A trip to Keeneland isn’t complete without a visit to the Track Kitchen! Located on the backstretch near the stable area, this restaurant is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. on weekends. Try some of the tasty, Southern-style cooking and who knows – you may even see some of the jockeys and trainers competing during the race meet! On race days at Keeneland, a cup of burgoo or bourbon bread pudding is always a good idea. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat before or after the races, check out this article from our friends at VisitLex. A few of our local favorites include Wallace Station, Ramsey’s Diner, Malone’s and Sedona Taphouse. Left to right: Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, Home of the Darley Stallions | Mill Ridge Farm | Hallway Feeds What to Do Learn more about the life cycle of the thoroughbred at one or more of these nearby Horse Country facilities that host tours in April. Learn more about each farm below, and view available tours. Mill Ridge Farm | NurseryGodolphin at Jonabell | Stud FarmHallway Feeds | Feed Mill WinStar Farm | Stud Farm and NurseryStonestreet Farm | NurseryThree Chimneys | Stud FarmLane’s End Farm | Stud Farm and Nursery Central Kentucky is home to a number of other exciting things to do including hiking, distillery tours and more. Travel Kentucky has a great database of things to do and see, found here. Some of our favorite things include checking out Lexington’s many murals, shopping at Greyline Station, visiting a distillery or taking a hike at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. There are an endless number of ways to make your trip to Keeneland and Lexington fit the needs of your group, and we would love to see how you spend your time in Kentucky’s Horse Country. Tag us on Instagram and Facebook @visithorsecountry or Twitter @kyhorsecountry, and use the hashtag #VisitHorseCountry for a chance to be featured.
American Farmland Trust May 27, 2021 This spring, we announced a strategic partnership between Horse Country and American Farmland Trust. American Farmland Trust’s mission is to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. Consider this: Every day 2,000 acres of agricultural land are paved over, fragmented, or converted to uses that jeopardize farming.*Too many farms are still losing topsoil and discharging nutrients, polluting rivers and contributing to dead zones in coastal waters. And we are forgoing restorative work that could rebuild soil health and sequester carbon.In the next 15 years, one-third of America’s farmland and ranchland will likely change hands, as current landowners age and sell. The land is most at risk of being converted to a non-agricultural use when it is sold. Source: American Farmland Trust The recently announced partnership aligns AFT’s mission of farmland protection with the agritourism experiences offered through Horse Country and its members. American Farmland Trust President and CEO John Piotti visited with Mill Ridge Farm’s Price Bell in late 2019 to talk about how forward-thinking places like Lexington-Fayette County are leading the way in protecting farmland for the many positive benefits it brings to our families, communities, and environment. Catch that feature here. American Farmland Trust welcomes Horse Country guests and followers to a complimentary one-year digital membership. Sign-up for updates, breaking news, and action opportunities from AFT experts across the country. Sign Up Here
Horses & History May 5, 2021 We’re celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week and we’re excited to share with you not only the great Horse Country experiences available to you, but also other attractions that pair perfectly. It is impossible to talk about horses in the Bluegrass without describing the land and people in such was as “family owned,” “historic,” “history,” “generations,” and the like. So today’s suggestion pairing comes from a place of both celebration and reverence for the history that surrounds us in the Bluegrass. Indeed, the oldest continuously working thoroughbred farm in Kentucky (and possibly North America!) – Runnymede Farm – is a farm you can visit through Horse Country. That’s just one of many that boast generations of families committed to the care of horses and passion for the sport (looking at you, Claiborne, Mill Ridge, Keeneland, Stone Farm, Lane’s End, Airdrie Stud…just to name a few!). Kentucky, founded in the 18th century, is full of rich history and there is no shortage of ways to experience it in our region. Ashland the Henry Clay Estate and the Mary Todd Lincoln house in Lexington bring such notable figures as Henry Clay and first lady Mary Todd Lincoln to life through tours, well kept grounds and museum experiences. Our friends at VisitLEX share a timeline/history of our beloved Lexington. Fun fact, their own offices are housed in the historic Lexington Fayette Co Courthouse, which was built in the late 1800s. Check out more history here. Happy exploring!Itinerary suggestion: Friday morning tour at Claiborne Farm (11 AM) – over 100 years of breeding thoroughbreds; home and resting place of the great Secretariat Lunch at Goodfellas in historic Distillery District in Lexington Afternoon tour of Mary Todd Lincoln HouseSaturday morning at Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate (indoor and outdoor options available)Lunch at Zim’s Cafe in the historic Courthouse downtown. Stop in and say hi to the friendly VisitLEX folks while you’re there and grab some fun Lexington souvenirs!Tour Runnymede Farm (2PM), the state’s oldest continuously working thoroughbred farm Perfect for: History buffs, curious minds, a new perspective on things. Advance reservations: Claiborne and Runnymede – yes! Mary Todd Lincoln & Ashland – advised! More info: visithorsecountry.com // visitlex.com // mtlhouse.org // henryclay.org Happy National Tourism & Travel Week 2021!
Hallway & Hops: Your Good Grain Guide to the Bluegrass May 4, 2021 We’re celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week and we’re excited to share with you not only the great Horse Country experiences available to you, but also other attractions that pair perfectly. First up: a couple of hidden gems! What’s better than a delightful, engaging experience that is a little off the beaten path? If you find your way to Horse Country’s Hallway Feeds, you are in the hands of some of the most hospitable folks in town (shout out at 2019 CommerceLex Small Business of the Year!). Those hands have made the feed that fuel winners…and we mean Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown, Breeders’ Cup winners. In fact, the 1-2-3 finish of the 2021 Kentucky Derby were all thoroughbreds fed by Hallway. Learn about the science, nutrition, and business behind the grain of Hallway Feeds. And we may be known for our bourbon in the Commonwealth, but we also have a really great beer scene. One local favorite brewery, West Sixth, has a farm just outside the city where they grow their hops, apples and blackberries. They have food trucks on the weekends, live music, yoga and ample space to spread out with your two- and four-legged friends with a picnic or just to chill. Itinerary suggestion: Friday afternoon tour at Hallway (1:30PM)Head out to West Sixth Farm in Frankfort (~40 mins from downtown Lex) to walk around the property and enjoy a beer at their farm taproom (opens at 4).Perfect for: Hallway is great for anyone who loves a good behind-the-scenes tour, has enjoyed a bourbon distillery tour, is into small business or AgTech. West Sixth Farm is perfectly suited for all ages, anyone looking for a place to disconnect and chill for a few hours. Advance reservations: Hallway -yes! West Sixth – no!More info: visithorsecountry.com // westsixth.com/farm Happy National Tourism & Travel Week 2021!
Breeders’ Cup 2020 – Virtual Tours October 30, 2020 In celebration of Breeders’ Cup 2020, we are welcoming fans & guests to virtual tours all week, to catch up with past champs and hear about hopes for future ones. Can’t watch in real time? No problem – we’ll update our Virtual Tours page of all the videos once they’re posted you’ll scroll to the bottom for Breeders’ Cup). Be sure to check back to this page as times for the tours are finalized/schedule subject to change!Don’t miss a minute of the action this week – check out the official Breeders’ Cup schedule here for all things from the track and behind the scenes. Stay tuned for updates later this week of Horse Country connections to the Longines Classic & other races. Cheers to Breeders’ Cup 2020! Monday, November 2 11:30am – Keeneland -go behind the scenes of the iconic racetrack, ready for this year’s Breeders’ Cup as well as 2022! Keeneland Facebook Live. Watch the replay here. Wednesday, November 4 10:30AM– Mill Ridge Farm – catching up with OSCAR PERFORMANCE. Mill Ridge Farm Facebook LIVE.11:40AM – Godolphin at Jonabell – Life at the farm for NYQUIST. Darley Stallions Facebook LIVE.1PM – New Vocations – Breeders’ Cup connections on their weekly walkthrough. New Vocations Facebook LIVE.2:30PM – Godolphin – Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner ROUND POND. Godolphin Facebook LIVE. Thursday, November 5 10:30AM– Stonestreet Farm – visit with MY MISS AURELIA, Stonestreet Farm Facebook LIVE 1PM Spendthrift Farm – Breeders’ Cup connections, past and current! Watch streamed on Spendthrift Farm and Horse Country Facebook pages. Friday, November 6 10:30AM– Claiborne Farm – checking in with BLAME & RUNHAPPY. Live on Horse Country Facebook page. Saturday, November 7 6:30AM– Godolphin – Sunrise tour at Godolphin’s Gainesborough Farm with ASHADO. Live on Godolphin Facebook page.
Mill Ridge Farm’s Spicy Pepper Jelly September 3, 2020 One of the most fun things about Derby time is learning how other people celebrate – traditions, superstitions, wardrobe, food, wagering, hopes and dreams….Derby has a little bit of everything! We’ve caught up with Mill Ridge Farm Manager Price Bell & his wife Beth for a peek into their Derby memories – and their kitchen! We hope you enjoy our visit as much as we did. Pro tip! Scroll to the bottom for the text recipe including instructions on how to can the pepper jelly! Happy Derby, friends! Beth, do you remember your first Derby? Absolutely. The first time I went to the Derby was a few years before I met Price. I was a year out of college and a group of friends who live in Lexington and Louisville invited me to join. We had a picnic on the backside–I have no idea how we got over there or who let us in–but we posted up by a fence and got to see the horses up close which was awesome, although, we had no idea who won the race! Turns out, the winner that year was Barbaro, which Headley did the mating for, and whose mother La Ville Rouge lived at Mill Ridge! A sign of things to come? Very spooky! Do you have any favorite Mill Ridge or Bell family Derby traditions?What’s so funny about the Derby in the Bell household is that we never know what our plans are until the last minute. Sometimes a client has a horse running that day and we let them use the tickets. We typically don’t know if we’re going and who is going until a week or so before, which makes planning a derby outfit and hat very tricky!We love this pepper jelly recipe! What else do you love on a Derby Day spread? Usually, fried chicken is a staple. Our dear Save-a-Lot on Southland Drive which makes the world’s best fried chicken recently closed, so that’s been a huge blow to our menu this year. I refuse to fry chicken at home. Thankfully, the folks at Critchfield’s are planning to re-boot the Save-a-Lot space and continue to sell fried chicken. Here’s hoping they get it up and running again soon!Tips for sharing Derby fun with the kids? How to get them involved?I’m afraid we’ve introduced gambling fairly early with our kiddos. In years past, when we’ve had friends over to watch the Derby, we auction off the Derby field. Price describes each horse and their pros and cons and then we auction off who “gets” each horse. Then we pool all the money and if your horse wins you get the pot. We let our children participate, which is hilarious because the littlest ones have no idea what’s going on; the 8 year olds and up do and they are ready to play! I’m afraid we’re teaching them bad habits. Beyond the Derby, how can people learn more about the sport and the tremendous care the horses receive year-round and beyond the track? Visiting the farms where these horses are bred, born, and raised is such a great way to understand the full scope of how these horses eventually end up at the racetrack. Before I met Price, I don’t know that I had given it that much thought. After visiting Mill Ridge for the first time, it started to hit me just how difficult of a sport this is and how tough it is to make it to the Oaks and Derby. We are beyond fortunate to have so many Oaks and Derby connections throughout Mill Ridge’s history. We welcome visitors any time to come see us at the farm, pet a few mamas, and hear a few amazing horse tales (pun intended). To stay up to date on all things Mill Ridge, be sure to follow them on Facebook & Instagram. Since mid-March, the team at Mill Ridge has conducted weekly virtual tours including visits with their stallion OSCAR PERFORMANCE, their mares and foals, deep dives into Mill Ridge history, and so much more. Be sure to check out some of those tours here. Mill Ridge Farm’s Spicy Pepper JellyAdapted from Epicurious.comMakes 4 to 5 (1/2-pint) jars 1 1/2 lb red bell peppers (about 3), cut into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)1-3 jalapeños and/or spicy banana peppers (with or without seeds, depending on how spicy you like it!)2 teaspoons dried hot red-pepper flakes3 tablespoons Sure-Jell less- or no-sugar-needed pectin (from a 1 3/4-oz box)3 1/4 cups sugar, divided1 cup white-wine vinegar1 tablespoon unsalted butter3/4 teaspoon salt Pulse bell peppers with red-pepper flakes in a food processor until finely chopped. (Mixture will measure about 2 1/2 cups.) Whisk together pectin and 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl. Stir together pepper mixture, vinegar, butter, salt, and remaining 3 cups sugar in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot. Bring to a vigorous boil over high heat, then continue to boil vigorously, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Gradually add pectin mixture, whisking constantly. Return jelly to a vigorous boil, stirring constantly, and boil, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes (mixture will thicken slightly). Remove from heat. If eating in the near future (next month), ladle pepper jelly into glass jars, cover with lids, let pepper jelly sit out until it reaches room temperature and then refrigerator. Consume within one month. If canning, see equipment and instructions needed below. Special Equipment Needed, if Canning:5 (1/2-pint) canning jars with screw bands and lidscandy thermometercanning tongs Sterilize jars and lids:Wash jars, lids, and screw bands in hot, soapy water, then rinse well. Dry screw bands. Put empty jars on a rack in a boiling-water canner or a deep 8- to 10-quart pot and add enough hot water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, covered, then boil 10 minutes. Remove canner from heat, leaving jars in water, covered. Heat lids in water to cover by 2 inches in a small saucepan until thermometer registers 180°F (do not let boil). Remove from heat. Keep jars and lids submerged in hot water, covered, until ready to use. Carefully remove jars and lids with canning tongs, then drain jars upside down on a clean kitchen towel and quickly dry lids. Invert jars and immediately ladle hot jelly into jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at top. (Last jar may not be full.) Run a clean plastic spatula between jelly and sides of jars to eliminate air bubbles. Wipe off rims of filled jars with a damp clean kitchen towel, then firmly screw on lids with screw bands. Seal and process jars:Put sealed jars on rack in canner or pot and add enough hot water to cover by 2 inches. (If you have a jar that is partially full, do not process it. Cover it with a lid and screw band, then keep in refrigerator.) Bring to a full boil, covered, then boil jelly, covered, 15 minutes. Transfer jars with canning tongs to a towel-lined surface to cool. Jars will seal; if you hear a ping, that means that the vacuum formed above the cooling jelly has made the lid concave. Remember that you may or may not be around to hear the ping. The important thing is for the jars to eventually have concave lids. Jelly will thicken as it cools. After jars have cooled, 12 to 24 hours, press center of each lid to check that it’s concave, then remove screw band and try to lift lid with your fingertips. If you can’t, the lid has a good seal. Replace screw band. Put any jars that haven’t sealed properly in the refrigerator and use them first (along with jar that was only partially full). Cooks’ Note:•Check the expiration date on your pectin to ensure freshness.•If you are using jars with rubber rings (still sold, but not approved by the USDA), follow the manufacturer’s instructions.•Jelly keeps in sealed jars in a cool dark place 5 to 6 months.
Ande’s Tips for Derby at Home September 2, 2020 We’re days away now from the Kentucky Derby and we know that many of you, like us, are making plans for (another!) Derby at home. If you’re hosting a virtual party, a small group safely, or watching it with your family/roommates/quaranteam, we’re here with some Derby day tips from Lane’s End Farm’s Tour & Hospitality Manager, Ande. Ande knows what works well for a party: a snack board! Read on to learn about the Derby traditions that have inspired her 2020 snack board, and download Ande’s recipe for mini hot browns for your own Derby spread this weekend! We’re days away now from the Kentucky Derby and we know that many of you, like us, are making plans for (another!) Derby at home. If you’re hosting a virtual party, a small group safely, or watching it with your family/roommates/quaranteam, we’re here with some Derby day tips from Lane’s End Farm’s Tour & Hospitality Manager, Ande. Ande knows what works well for a party: a snack board! Read on to learn about the Derby traditions that have inspired her 2020 snack board, and download Ande’s recipe for mini hot browns for your own Derby spread this weekend! Can you tell us about what has inspired your snack board? Ham and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches We always drive to Louisville and back for derby day on a bus, one of the snacks usually packed on the bus is ham sandwiches! I put my own spin on your typical derby day snack by adding some pimento cheese to them!Trick’s Big Head Beer Cheese I love beer cheese, and Trick’s is one of my all time favorites! It’s a must for any Derby Party if you ask me!Merrick Inn’s Fried Chicken Every year after a long day at Churchill we have fried chicken when we get home, Merrick Inn has always had some of my favorite Fried Chicken in Lexington!Mr G’s Salted Caramel Corn Every Snack Board needs something sweet! I love caramel popcorn, and Mr G’s is a local Kentucky company that you can now find in Kroger!Cotton Candy Grapes Because I’m obsessed with them and can’t stop snacking on them! Do you have any tips for a fabulous Derby party at home?One of my favorite things about Derby is being with a fun group of family and friends who enjoy a day of racing as much as I do! Any particular memories of Lane’s End connections running in the Derby? It is always so much fun if Lane’s End or friends have horses running the day of Derby. My Grandfather had Code of Honor running last year, and it makes the day just that much more exciting! Lily or Mint Juelp? I usually go for a Lily on Derby Day but love Juleps! Hat or Fascinator? Hat- Although I have found that fascinators are a bit easier to wear all day!
September Derby Week – Virtual Tours August 31, 2020 Happy 2020 Kentucky Derby Week, 2.0! While we celebrated #DerbyatHome in May, we’re excited that the run for the roses is officially upon us – less than a week away now! While this year is different in so many ways, one thing hasn’t changed: for many of the Kentucky Derby hopefuls, it all starts here in Horse Country. From breeding and foaling to training, sales, and then life after racing, there’s a reason we’re known as the Horse Capital of the World. We’ve partnered this year with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby to offer virtual content at Horse Country locations. To stay up to date on the schedule, check out the KY Derby Watch and Follow page here. All tours will be streamed via the Kentucky Derby Facebook Page & Kentucky Derby YouTube Page, and shared on the Horse Country Facebook Page. You don’t have to have a Facebook account to watch videos. All videos will be shared to the Horse Country Virtual Tour library after they have been posted. For a complete list of live streaming activities during Derby week, be sure to check out the Kentucky Derby Watch & Follow page!
Reopening Guidelines May 29, 2020 As Horse Country member locations are re-opening, please know they are taking precautions to ensure the safest, healthiest and most enjoyable experience for all. We appreciate your participation in healthy tours, too! If you are not ready or able to travel or tour at this time – that is a-ok! We miss you but we honor that decision fully. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy our virtual tours and other Kentucky and horse posts. We’ve been thankful to be a part of your healthy-at-home time and are happy to continue for as long as you need! You are always welcome to check with us about a particular location and/or book as close to the tour date as possible. We’ll share the best info we have at any point in time. We understand planning can be a challenge in this environment and are keen to minimize challenges for you!
Autry’s Kentucky Oaks Lily recipe April 30, 2020 Kentucky Oaks Day – the full day of racing the Friday of Kentucky Derby week and headlined by the G1 Longines Kentucky Oaks for 3 year old filles – is upon us. Oaks Day has become a popular lifestyle event in its own right, with race goers dressed in pink hues and sipping the day’s signature drink, an Oaks Lily. We knew that we wanted to raise a glass virtually to all the fillies in Horse Country and for our own Lily recipe, we could look no further than our friend Autry. Autry serves as Assistant Marketing Director at Spendthrift Farm & farm hostess extraordinaire and is the gal behind many of the amazing photos you know and love on Spendthrift’s Instagram & Facebook. Many of you may have attended a tour hosted by Autry and know her knowledge of and deep love of the sport – so, we’re tickled pink today to share a fun Q&A to get to know her better, along with her take on the classic Oaks cocktail. Cheers, y’all! What is your earliest memory of being at a track? My earliest memory at the track would be when parents took me for the first time to Keeneland for their Sunrise Trackside program as a kid. On the day we went I got to meet Pat Day & I was so overwhelmed (because I loved him) I cried the entire time…there are photos. I also remember that day during the races seeing a female jockey on her mount headed to the track and my sister yelled “I didn’t know girls could be jockeys” and the jockey stopped her horse, turned around, smiled, and said “yes we can”. It was really special. Any standout Kentucky Derby or Oaks moments? The first year I ever attended the Oaks & Derby happened to be a pretty big one: 2018, Monomoy Girl wins the Oaks and Justify wins the Derby. While watching the two races were an incredible experience, I will say my standout memories came from the two weeks leading up to the Derby. Spendthrift had two future stallions running, Bolt d’Oro and Free Drop Billy, and my job was to document their time at Churchill Downs leading up to the big race. I spent most mornings with the Spendthrift team watching the two horses work on the track, talking to trainers, exercise riders, etc. taking photos and videos for social media. While our horses didn’t win, I will never forget what it felt like to be on the back side of Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week – talk about energy!Pro tip! . Netflix filmed a documentary during this time on Dale Romans and they featured Free Drop Billy – it’s called 7 Days Out Thoughts on September Derby? I don’t have all the answers but I think it is important to ask the hard, nitty gritty questions when making a huge change like this – questions on everything from horses qualifying to crowd management. I will say, I’m not mad about the option of wearing Fall dresses on Derby Day! Autry’s top tips to get you through quarantine like a horseracing Kentuckian: Watch the Virtual Tours – Horse Country posts a virtual tour schedule every day on their social media so you don’t miss a thing!Watch old races or read up on historical horse racing – the 1920’s – 1940’s will blow your mind, I promise!Follow Spendthrift Farm on social media – we are bringing you new content daily!
Where Are They Now? April 29, 2020 Catching up with Kentucky Derby winners Nyquist + Street Sense at Godolphin’s Jonabell Farm Jonabell Farm is one of Godolphin’s six Kentucky farms and home of the Darley stallions, making it the site of Godolphin’s Horse Country tours. We’re catching up today with Brianne Sharp, who in addition to being on the Marketing team at Godolphin, hosts many of the Horse Country experiences & serves as a Horse Country Board Member. Brianne is updating us on 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, offering a peek into their day-to-day life! Nyquist at Jonabell FarmStreet Sense at Jonabell Farm What is a normal daily routine for these guys? During breeding season, they will have a mare to breed most mornings at 7am. After that, they will go outside to their paddock for about five hours. At noon, their groom will bring them in from the paddock and they will be bathed and groomed before the afternoon breeding session at 1pm. They are available for viewing by potential breeders in the afternoon from 2:30-3pm. Then they are fed their afternoon meal and some of them will lay down and take an afternoon nap after they finish eating. Street Sense loves a good nap! Sometimes they will have a third mare to breed at 6pm at night. They spend the night inside the stallion barn, and we have a night watch person who stays with them all night. When we aren’t in breeding season they keep basically the same daily routine, minus the trips to the breeding shed. We’ve recently put in an aqua treadmill that the stallions get on daily in the months leading up to breeding season to build up their fitness. Nyquist LOVES the treadmill. They have to put him on it first every day – he doesn’t like it if someone else gets to go ahead of him! We’re all snacking a bit more during quarantine. What do these guys eat? Most of our stallions are fed grain twice a day – at 5am and 3:30pm. They have as much hay as they want in their stall and obviously grass in their paddock. And lots of carrots – we go through about 75 pounds of carrots per week in the stallion barn! Do either of them have particular personality quirks that are notable/funny? Nyquist notices everything. If there’s something new or something out of place from where it usually is, he wants to go investigate it. Street Sense has a funny way of asking for carrots – he’ll lift his front leg. If you don’t give him a carrot right away he’ll try the other leg and keep going back and forth. They are both very smart! Nyquist at Jonabell FarmStreet Sense at Jonabell Farm Can you share any memories of the 2016 Kentucky Derby, when Nyquist won? We had been watching Nyquist train at Keeneland in the weeks leading up to the Derby so the anticipation was high. There was obviously a lot of buzz around him since he was the favorite. I watched the race on TV with a bunch of friends and I just remember screaming my head off. It was awesome. He was the first two-year-old champion since Seattle Slew to stay undefeated through the Kentucky Derby – what a superstar. How do these superstars handle the fans on Horse Country tours? Both of them seem to enjoy the tours. They usually come to the gate or the front of the stall to say hello to the visitors. I definitely think they like the attention. Street Sense’s progeny have had some success. Can you share about any particular offspring that have been fun to watch? Street Sense has had a number of top class horses, but certainly my two favorites would be his two G1 winners for Godolphin – Wedding Toast and Maxfield. Wedding Toast’s win in the G1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont in 2015 was my first ever trip to the winner’s circle in a G1 race, so that will always be a special memory. And of course Maxfield winning the G1 Breeders’ Futurity last fall at Keeneland was so much fun to share with the whole team. Hopefully he will be in the gate for the Kentucky Derby in September! Brianne’s top 3 tips for work from home/surviving quarantine/social distancing? Puzzles, Zoom calls with friends/family, and of course Horse Country virtual tours! —
Derby Week Virtual Tours April 27, 2020 We hope you will join us in Horse Country for a week full of #healthyathome Virtual Tours, focusing on Horse Country’s Kentucky Derby connections, memories and stories. Reminders will be posted daily on Horse Country’s Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Horse Country at Home Photo Exhibit March 22, 2019 A curated gallery of images by photographer Mary J Speer The Horse Country at Home photography exhibit, featuring a curated selection of Mary J Speer’s photos at various Horse Country locations, is on display at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center in Lexington through May 5. The photos, representing every category of Horse Country tour experience, pays homage to the horses, land, and people of Kentucky’s signature industry: equine. Known for her artistic eye and swoon-worthy social feeds, Mary captures the landscape & residents of the Bluegrass region with a thoughtful and discerning eye. This project is a celebration of what makes the area so special. An opening night celebration for the exhibit was held on March 8, 2019. The framed prints are available for purchase. All proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Bluegrass Land Conservancy. The Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center Community Gallery hours is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are: Tuesday – Thursday 11am – 5pm Friday & Saturday 11am – 8pmSunday 10am – 2pmMonday – closed If you visit, tag us on social! @maryjspeer and @visithorsecountry on Instagram and use the hashtag #horsecountryathome to be entered for a chance to win a Mary J Speer print and a tour in Horse Country!
What Can Thoroughbreds Do After Racing? March 19, 2019 By: Melissa Bauer-Herzog Thoroughbreds are known for their prowess as racehorses but did you know the breed can compete in nearly any equestrian discipline? Below you’ll find just a few of the activities off-track Thoroughbreds can do after they leave the racetrack and why they are so good at them. Susanna of the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center works through bomb-proofing exercises with one of the organization’s horses who will later be adopted. 1) Trail Horse Thoroughbreds are exposed to a lot of different things while racing – from big screen televisions flashing during the races to loud tractors. Because of this, they have seen nearly everything, and most things you encounter on the trail will seem like no big deal to these horses. “He by far was the easiest horse I’ve ever had the pleasure to work and train,” said Ashley Rusch of transitioning Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center graduate Peace Cry to trail riding. “His willingness to please was impeccable, he was incredibly smart, and a very quick learner. He was also extremely curious, which made him an amazing trail horse! He was literally scared of little to nothing. He would rather ‘inspect’ something new instead of spook at it. He trusted me as his confident leader and we made an excellent team. Trail riding was a piece of cake for him and I to transition to.” 2) Mounted Archery A sport that has taken place for thousands of years, mounted archery is a popular activity and one that Thoroughbreds can enjoy. Speed is needed, as is a horse that will listen to subtle commands from riders. While learning to have no rein contact can be challenging for the horses–since they have to complete the course with only guidance from their riders’ legs–it is something they can learn. “The most important part of the training is being able to let go of the reins, this is hard for him because he is use to having constant input from the reins and becomes unsure of what to do when it isn’t there,” said Thomas Rice, who is training his OTTB Shathoor in mounted archery. “Shathoor is very willing and loves to explore, he likes to jump and run. I think Thoroughbreds are great in any discipline, their willingness is the best reason to ride one.” 3) Barrel Racing While barrel racing is known more as a sport for Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds also excel at it–in fact, one of the top barrel racing sires is a Thoroughbred, and the Thoroughbred breed helped create Quarter Horse breed of today. While Thoroughbreds aren’t used to running short distances, they soon figure out how to use their speed as an asset. “I’ve seen Thoroughbreds barrel race and they are incredible! I believe they excel obviously because of their speed, but also because of their hearts,” said Rusch, who also competes in barrel racing with Peace Cry. “Their willingness to please is phenomenal. They will do anything you ask and try their hardest to do that task. Their athleticism is also an obvious perk to running barrels. When taking your time in training and utilizing all the right tools, Thoroughbreds can become top barrel horses.” “In fact, one of the top barrel racing sires is a Thoroughbred – and the Thoroughbred breed helped created Quarter Horse breed of today…” OTTBs – Off the Track Thoroughbreds go through the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center’s reschooling program to prepare them for a new career. You can see this program in action on a Horse Country tour. 4) Fox Hunting Thoroughbreds ability to run as fast, in addition to their talent for jumping and their experiences seeing the unusual at the track, make them great fox hunting partners. In addition, their breeding for stamina makes them a great mount for a day out in the field, whether walking or galloping over a variety of terrain. “Thoroughbreds love to hunt! They love running in a group,” said Deb Barnes, who fox hunts on her Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center graduate Photo Shoot. “They love to jump and are excited about the sport. I have never used a heel, only brakes! I like Thoroughbreds for fox hunting because they are athletic and tireless. My current counter is a Thoroughbred and he never tired in the field, eagerly takes all jumps, is agile and willing.” Many racing jurisdictions have rules on how long a horse can race if he hasn’t broken his maiden (won a race) but it isn’t unusual to see older horses successfully running in the lower levels of racing. Many horses will also transition to steeplechasing as they get older, finding success racing over the jumps long after their flat racing days. You can find siblings from many successful horses in this type of racing, including a full brother to grade 1 winner Point of Entry. 5) Therapy Horse While Thoroughbreds are thought of as a breed that just has running on the brain, their sensitivity also makes them great therapy horses. They have been used in hippotherapy to helping war veterans recover from post-traumatic stress disorder and everything in between. One such horse used for this is stakes winner Speak Logistics, who was adopted from New Vocations in 2017. “His career is just beginning, and he will serve as a co-therapist in our program, and clients will be interacting with him as we do activities with him to explore mental health issues, and career/personal development. There will be no riding involved with Speak, but more experience-based activities with him,” his adopter Jorge Roman told America’s Best Racing in 2017. 6) Pony Horse While some Thoroughbreds find a new career in the arena or on the trails, some Thoroughbreds may not leave life at the track after they retire from racing. Those who transition to a new role on the track are often called pony horses or outrider horses and their jobs are to escort current and future racehorses to the track in the mornings and afternoons. You will often see “ponies” in the post parade escorting the horses or out on the track watching training in the mornings. Some famous horses who became ponies after their racing careers were over are Chindi, Lava Man, and Perfect Drift. 7) Police Horse If you’ve been to any major city, you’ve probably seen a policeman riding a horse. Did you know that some of those mounts are retired racehorses? In fact, they’ve even helped at big events such as the Super Bowl. One Police horse, SSO Valor (registered name: Raja’s Best Dancer), has helped with crowd control at a Super Bowl, a Republican National Convention, and is used in a program helping at-risk kids as well. He was awarded the The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program’s Thoroughbred of the Year Award in 2017. 8) Eventing Thoroughbreds have been used successfully in eventing for decades with their speed and stamina playing a big part in both the cross-country phase and being able to compete for three straight days in three very different disciplines. Some famous OTTBs currently competing in up level eventing in the U.S. are Donner and Blackfoot Mystery. “You’ve got to analyze our sport. Our sport’s a triathlon. Really, the make and break of the sport is the cross-country day, that’s where the competition is won and lost. You’ve got to stack the laws of probability more on your side. If you’ve got a Thoroughbred that is bred to gallop a long distance at high speeds the chances of you getting around cross country unscathed is much higher than a big, fat cart horse from Europe,” Olympic eventer Boyd Martin, who rode Blackfoot Mystery at the 2016 Olympics, told America’s Best Racing. 9) Hunter/Jumpers Thoroughbreds have played an active role in not only developing the discipline but also still competing in both hunter and jumper classes around the country. Some of the top all-time hunters and jumpers were Thoroughbreds, including the famous Gem Twist and Touch Of Class, both members of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. You can see the training a racehorse goes through by booking a tour to Keeneland or Blackwood Stables and then see the aftercare and training that goes into them after they retire at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center or Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center. If you want to see the work that goes into a show horse, Horse Country’s tour of Spy Coast Farm will give you a good idea of the training regimens of high-level show horses. 10) Driving While driving isn’t a discipline often associated with Thoroughbreds, they can also take part in this activity. The versatility of the breed makes this no problem, and as long as the horse is willing to learn voice commands, there is no reason they can’t give this a try. In the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover, Amy Lent and Second Stride grad Delightfully finished sixth overall in the freestyle division while driving. TAA-accredited @SecondStride grad Delightfully and Amy Lent compete in the freestyle finale at #TBMakeover! @RRP_TBMakeover @KyHorsePark pic.twitter.com/qn8v6RRtLp— Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (@TBaftercare) October 6, 2018 The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (a Horse Country member), New Vocations, and Second Stride are all accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). The TAA was created and is supported by the Thoroughbred industry to help Thoroughbreds find new homes after their racing careers are finished. The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center a Horse Country member) is also accredited by the TAA and works to find homes for horses of all breeds, including OTTBs. To learn more, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org. What is the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance? The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) was formed by the racing industry in 2012 to provide funding to aftercare organizations that meet its strict criteria. Funded by farms and other organizations in the sport, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $13.8 million to accredited aftercare organizations since 2012, with 70 organizations currently accredited by the organization. The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center are both TAA-accredited organizations that provide Horse Country tours. You can find out more about the TAA at www.thoroughbredaftercare.org.
Aftercare: explained January 21, 2019 Before you head to Kentucky for your Horse Country tour, you’ve been researching everything you can about the industry. One word that keeps popping up is “aftercare” and you can’t figure out exactly what it is. Don’t worry, we’re here to help by answering a few common questions. Melissa Bauer-Herzog shares some insight into the very important work that is aftercare. What does “aftercare” mean? While many horses go on to have breeding careers after their time on the track–including most you’ll see on Horse Country stallion farm tours–not every horse has the racing credentials to land a spot in the breeding shed. With horses retiring from racing at a young age, they have a whole life ahead of them and most of them are talented and sound enough to try a new career. Former racehorses have become pleasure riding horses, competition horses, and loving companions. This part of the industry is called aftercare. In the aftercare industry, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance works as an umbrella organization to accredit and financially support individual aftercare nonprofits that retrain, rehome, and retire horses once their racing careers are over. You’ll often see those horses retired from the track and retrained for second careers called off-the-track Thoroughbreds or OTTBs. When do horses retire from the track? The retirement age for racehorses isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Some horses may retire at only 2 or 3 years of age if they don’t show talent for racing while others may race long into their teens. In 2018, the oldest horse racing at U.S. tracks was Leffingwell Lion, a 15-year-old. Many racing jurisdictions have rules on how long a horse can race if he hasn’t broken his maiden (won a race) but it isn’t unusual to see older horses successfully running in the lower levels of racing. Many horses will also transition to steeplechasing as they get older, finding success racing over the jumps long after their flat racing days. You can find siblings from many successful horses in this type of racing, including a full brother to grade 1 winner Point of Entry. How are the racehorses retrained? The great thing about racehorses is that they already come with a good base of training that just needs to be built on for their new career. Most of the time the racehorses will get some time off after the track as their body adjusts to a new routine. The time off depends on the individual horse and their owner, some may take only days while others will be off for months. The horses are often restarted slowly while the rider figures out what they know and what they need to be taught, but it isn’t unusual for them to advance quickly in this training. You can see the training a racehorse goes through by booking a tour to Keeneland then see the aftercare and training that goes into them after they retire at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center or Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center. If you want to see the work that goes into a show horse, Horse Country’s tour of Spy Coast Farm will give you a good idea of the training regimens of high-level show horses. What is the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance? The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) was formed by the racing industry in 2012 to provide funding to aftercare organizations that meet its strict criteria. Funded by farms and other organizations in the sport, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $13.8 million to accredited aftercare organizations since 2012, with 70 organizations currently accredited by the organization. The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center are both TAA-accredited organizations that provide Horse Country tours. You can find out more about the TAA at www.thoroughbredaftercare.org. Are all retired racehorses in aftercare facilities rescued? While some aftercare facilities also rescue horses, just because a horse is retired from a racing career doesn’t mean he is a rescued horse. Many owners and trainers play an active part in finding their horses a home for their second career – from finding them a home themselves to placing them with one of many racehorse aftercare facilities around the country. Will any horses we see on the Horse Country tours end up in second careers? Most of the horses you’ll see on the Horse Country tours at farms are already in their second careers as breeding horses. However, if you see any foals or yearlings, one day they may find a life after the track in a second career as a riding horse. If you visit the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center or Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, you will see horses who will be transitioning into their second or even third careers. How can I help with Thoroughbred aftercare? If you have a favorite aftercare facility, most will take donations in money or supplies. If you aren’t sure of an aftercare facility you’d like to donate to, you can donate straight to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Donations to the TAA go to their accredited organizations to help Thoroughbreds transition to new careers.
Looking Ahead to 2019! January 4, 2019 1. New Touring Location! This year, we get to welcome our guests to Fasig-Tipton, North America’s oldest thoroughbred auction company, as they offer their first ever tours starting in 2019! 2. Top Chef in the Blue Grass! Bravo’s Top Chef newest season takes place right here in central Kentucky! Denali and Runnymede were even filming locations! That’s right, those running horses in the opening credits are Horse Country residents! We are excited to host all of the Top Chef fans that come to visit as well! You can catch new episodes every Thursday at 8:00 pm on Bravo! If there is on thing we love just as much as our thoroughbreds, it is good food! 3. Passport to Horse Country! Coming this year is our first ever Horse Country Passport! The Horse Country passport is designed for you! Use your free passport to collect stamps of locations you’ve visited, earn prizes, and commemorate your time in Kentucky. 4. New Crops of Thoroughbreds! Every year, we get to welcome a new crop of foals in Kentucky! That also means a new group of yearlings that just turned 1 year old and a new class of runners that are now old enough to race! That means we will finally get to see American Pharoah’s first crop on the track this year! 5. Foal Patrol 2.0! The National Museum of Racing And Hall Of Fame’s viral sensation, Foal Patrol, will be back for it’s second year! Foal Patrol Season 2 gets you closer to a collection of in-foal mares (and a stallion!) via live cameras where people can view real-time streams. 6. Hosting our Wonderful Guests! Our most exciting prospect on the horizon of 2019 is YOU! There is nothing we enjoy more than sharing our Horse Country with locals and travelers alike! Maybe we are biased, but the blue grass is a magical place and it is our pleasure to open our gates every day.
Breeders’ Cup 2018 Coming to Horse Country August 23, 2018 Tour Availability for Breeders’ Cup Week 2018! We are in the final stretch before Breeders’ Cup and we are pleased to share our members’ availability for the week! These few days will be filled with races, tours, Equestricon, and a whole lot of excitement! Where will we see you? Sunday, October 28Claiborne Farm and Spendthrift Farm Monday, October 29Claiborne Farm, Darby Dan, Godolphin at Jonabell, Hermitage Farm, Mill Ridge Farm, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Runnymede Farm, Spendthrift Farm, and WinStar Farm Tuesday, October 30Claiborne Farm, Darby Dan, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Gainesway,Godolphin at Jonabell, Mill Ridge Farm, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Runnymede Farm, Stone Farm Wednesday, October 31Claiborne Farm, Darby Dan, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, Mill Ridge Farm, Pin Oak Stud, Runnymede Farm, Stone Farm,Taylor Made, Spendthrift Farm, and WinStar Farm. Tour packages availale with Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm Tours Thursday, November 1Adena Springs, Darby Dan, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hermitage Farm, Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, Mill Ridge Farm, Runnymede Farm, Saxony Farm, Taylor Made, Spendthrift Farm, and WinStar Farm. Tour packages available with Mint Julep Experiences. Friday, November 2Adena Springs, Claiborne Farm, Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, and Taylor Made. Saturday, November 3Claiborne Farm, Saxony Farm, and Taylor Made Sunday, November 4Claiborne Farm, Spendthrift Farm, andTaylor Made. Tour packages available with Mint Julep Experiences. Please note that tickets purchased for the dates of October 28, 2018 through November 4, 2018 are 100% non-refundable. We do not where Justify will be at this time but we will continue to keep his fans updated as information becomes available. If you have any questions or would like assistance planning out your perfect week, just give us a call at (859) 963-1004 or email us at [email protected] The Total Package Packages to visit Horse Country locations, including transportation and other area attractions, are available as well through the following tour professionals: Mint Julep Experiences Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm Tours
Welcome to Spy Coast Farm June 25, 2018 [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nestled next to the Kentucky Horse Park is Horse Country’s newest gem and the only sport horse farm in our membership, Spy Coast Farm! They specialize in breeding and training top quality performance horses and visitors will be given the opportunity to learn about Spy Coast Farm’s history and how they have grown to be a major player in the show jumping community. While they are currently in the middle of an expansion, guests will be guided through the property to see the construction of new facilities and learn about the current facilities! The Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, CEM Quarantine, Breeding Shed, Show Barn, and Foaling Barn are all stops along this expansive property! The 400 acre Lexington, Kentucky farm serves as the primary breeding facility for the Spy Coast operations (there are thee properties in the US- Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida). It is the year-round home for their broodmares, foals, and young horses and serves as the summer home for their competition horses.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2635″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2637″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]At one time, the original farm was located on Strong’s Neck in Setauket, NY, and during the Revolutionary War, George Washington commissioned the Setauket Spy Ring to operate from the area. It is said that the patriot, Anna Smith Strong, received intelligence from the local tavern owner and then hung her petticoats and handkerchiefs on her laundry line in a predetermined array in order to inform the whale boat captain, Caleb Brewster, in which harbor the Redcoats were located. Their efforts contributed in no small measure to the success of the Patriot troops. Since that time, the Strong’s Neck area has been known as the “Spy Coast” which is where the farm derives its name. We are beyond excited to have Spy Coast Farm join Horse Country and to provide guests this unique experience at a one of a kind property! Tours begin Friday, June 29 and can be booked HERE![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2636″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Thoroughbred Aftercare with John Phillips June 15, 2018 [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#523528″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text] John Phillips is the president of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and owner of family owned Darby Dan Farm. A third-generation horseman, John is an active member of the equine community. We sat down with Phillips for his trusted word on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Here’s what he had to say.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] What does “aftercare” mean? “Aftercare means the care of Thoroughbreds after their racing careers are finished. It is Thoroughbred racing’s efforts to assure that Thoroughbreds have a safe landing off the racetrack after racing. Mostly it means getting a horse ready for another career, as racing is only a short part of a horse’s life. Thoroughbreds are incredible athletes. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, known as the TAA, has 64 accredited organizations with 164 facilities across North America with the majority of these organizations training Thoroughbreds for these new careers. They are hands-on organizations that the racing industry is proud of and are fascinating to see. Thousands of horses go through these facilities each year, resulting in Thoroughbreds finding success in second careers as Olympic-level jumpers to police horses and more.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2542″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”normal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Why would you encourage visitors to include Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance- accredited organizations, such as Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center or Kentucky Equine Humane Center, in their Horse Country Tours? “Fans of the sport should see what our equine athletes are capable of after their racing careers are finished. Being able to tour these TAA-accredited facilities and learn about the work being done shows that these horses are successful in other non-racing careers – that’s something the racing industry is proud of and wants to show off.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2583″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]What kinds of things will someone see while visiting a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance- accredited organization? “Each TAA-accredited organization is different, some focus on retaining or rehab to prepare horses for second careers, some are sanctuaries for retired horses, and others use Thoroughbreds as part of equine-human therapy. The Kentucky Equine Humane Center does phenomenal rehabilitation work and helps Thoroughbreds – and all breeds of equines – find homes, while the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center is a premier off-track Thoroughbred re- schooling and retraining organization located at the Kentucky Horse Park.”[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal”][vc_single_image image=”2581″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][qode_simple_quote background_color=”#aee3e4″ simple_quote_text=”Being able to tour these TAA-accredited facilities and learn about the work being done shows that these horses are successful in other non-racing careers – that’s something the racing industry is proud of and wants to show off.“” simple_quote_author=”John Phillips, TAA President” quote_symbol_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Why is aftercare an important part of the story to tell when talking about the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky? “All good horsemen love the sport of racing and their horses. If the sport doesn’t take responsibility for horses at every level, then the breed, the sport, and the culture around it may not survive. Aftercare is a key part of that responsibility. And in horse-centric Kentucky, we are lucky to be surrounded by some aftercare organizations that are doing phenomenal work.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2541″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”normal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]What can someone do to get involved to help support Thoroughbred aftercare efforts? “Tour the TAA-accredited facilities and learn about the work they do. Those who want to support the TAA’s efforts can donate to the TAA. The TAA uses its funds to accredited and physically inspect organizations to make sure they are up to the TAA’s code of standards, and the TAA also gives grants to organizations earmarked specifically for equine care. Another way to get involved is to find accredited organization in your area and see if they need volunteers. And of course, talking about and sharing the message of accredited, responsible aftercare is important.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2551″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”normal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]How do I learn more about aftercare or find an accredited facility in my area? “The TAA website has information about aftercare, the TAA accreditation process, a list of accredited organizations, and more. Visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”normal”][vc_column_text] We extend a big Horse Country thank you to John for sharing about the TAA today. If you have questions or would like to get involved with aftercare efforts, or to tour a TAA-accredited Horse Country location, we’d love to chat! You can reach one of our team members at 859-963-1004 or [email protected][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Triple Crown Timeline June 7, 2018 [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Triple Crown is considered one of the most prestigious achievements in the horse racing industry; determination, grit, and hard work are just a few of the components gone into the training and immense effort that it takes to be a Triple Crown winner. So let’s go back to the very beginning, where it all started the year of 1875. This was the very first year in which all three races were in existence simultaneously. Not to get confused with the British Triple Crown, the American Triple Crown is where a single 3-year-old Thoroughbred, in one season, must take home the first place title of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. In the 143 years running, only 12 horses have taken the crown in the 3 consecutive wins of the Triple Crown races. The Kentucky Derby, held the first Saturday in May in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs is the only one of the three races to have been continuously run from its first year, inaugurated in 1875. Originally 1 1/2 miles, in 1896 the race was shortened to its current distance of 1 1/4 miles. Since 1975 the Churchill Downs field has been restricted to 20 horses. The shortest of the races, The Preakness Stakes- “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susan” held the third Saturday in May is a 1 3/16 miles race which started in 1873; not ran from 1891 to 1893, and continuously ran since 1894. Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland was the home track of Preakness from 1873 to 1889, then later held at Morris Park Racecourse in Bronx, New York in 1890, not ran for 3 years, then from 1894 through 1908 the race was held at Gravesend Race Track on Coney Island, New York, and again at Pimlico from 1909 until now. This brings us to the longing Belmont Stakes, “The Test of the Champion” and “the Run for the Carnations”, the oldest of the three TC events, the last leg of the Triple Crown, named after a well fortuned financier in New York politics and society, August Belmont. The first running was in 1867 at Jerome Park, has been ran at various distances and tracks throughout its years, is the fourth oldest race overall in North America. The 1973 TC winner, Secretariat holds the track and world record of the mile and a half run of 2:24. The 1 1/2 mile races is held in Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The popularization of the Triple Crown was familiarized during the 1930s by Daily Racing Form columnist, Charles Hatton whom used the term routinely in his writings when referencing the 3 races. Newspapers were consistently using the term in the 1940s as more and more owners began preparing specifically for these races. Although there were subsequent prior 1950 TC winners that were later awarded, in December of 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations in New York held their annual awards dinner, where they proclaimed and awarded Sir Barton the very first horse to win all three races, in 1919. There was an average of one Triple Crown winner every 2.5 years during the 18 year span between Gallant Fox’s win in 1930 and Citation’s win in 1948. There was then a 25 year hiatus until Secretariat’s win in 1973; Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978 stirred special excitement in racing fans with a back to back win. There was then a long halt to winners until our very own (and very much loved!) American Pharoah in 2015. We now only eagerly await on the edge of our seats to see how Justify holds his track in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes this Saturday, June 9th![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Jet-setting Justify May 21, 2018 [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Being a racehorse involves a lot of travel. The horse will start off at the farm they are born, then by the time they turn two years old most will have traveled through an auction ring before traveling the country or even the world for their racing career. Justify is no exception – he first came to WinStar by way of the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was Hip 50 and was purchased by partners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Bloodstock for $500,000. After being purchased, Justify came home to WinStar where he learned how to be a racehorse at the Hopewell division. Justify at Hopewell – October 2016 It is at Hopewell that Toby Richards and Heather Stark teach young horses, like Justify, their first lessons including having a saddle on their back and walking through a starting gate. If you want to learn more about Toby and Heather, the Paulick Report did a story on them on May 10th that you can read HERE. Justify remained at Hopewell until WinStar felt he was ready for the next stage of his racing journey. At that point, he was vanned a mere 6 miles down the road to his new home of Keeneland Racecourse when he join trainer Rodolphe Brisset’s barn. Brisset, who trains fellow WinStar owned Preakness contender Quip, trained Justify for the five weeks he had him before Justify was sent to Bob Baffert for his racing campaign. Active racehorses traditionally stay with their trainer, not their owner, while they live and train at racetracks. Since Baffert’s operation is based in California with horses staying between Los Alamitos and Santa Anita, Justify got on a plane and moved to California last year. California is where he made the first three starts of his career when he wowed people in a maiden special weight, allowance, and finally the Santa Anita Derby. Justify left his California home for the first time in six months when he flew to Louisville on April 30th on his way to winning the Kentucky Derby just two weeks ago. Instead of returning to California, Justify has settled into his new temporary home on the backside of Churchill Downs. He has stayed there since the Derby to train for the Preakness, and he arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday afternoon. Justify at Pimlico – Friday, May 18, 2018 Staying at Churchill Downs means Justify does not have to spend as much time travelling back and forth between the coasts to train for his races. He will eventually go back to California, as it is an easy access point to get him all over the world for some international races. Once his racing career ends, he will make his was back to his old Kentucky home and transition into his breeding career. Until that day, we can will continue to watch his many success on the track and cheer him on![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]A big thank you to the staff at WinStar for providing this post to us![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The Road to the Derby March 17, 2018 The Rebel Stakes is a key marker on the road to the Kentucky Derby with a total of 85 Derby qualifying points allotted to the top four finishers. American Pharoah won The Rebel and went on to be our Triple Crown Champion in 2015! The St. Patrick’s Day race features 11 Kentucky Derby hopefuls with the majority having at least one connection to Horse Country! Title Ready‘s sire is More Than Ready who stands at WinStar. Magnum Moon‘ sire is Malibu Moon who stands at Spendthrift. Higher Power is owned and was bred by Pin Oak. His sire is Medaglia d’Oro who stands a Godolphin at Jonabell. Pryor’s Sire is Paynter who stands at WinStar. Pryor was also bred by WinStar. Sporting Chance‘s sire is Tiznow who stands at WinStar. Zing Zang‘s sire is Tapit who stands at Gainesway. Zing Zang was also bred by Gainesway. Combatant‘s sire is Scat Daddy who stood at Coolmore at Ashford Stud. Bode’s Maker‘s sire is Bodemeister who stands at WinStar. If you are ready to make the most of the 2018 Kentucky Derby, we are here to help. On May 1st, Taylor Made will be hosting a very special edition of their Handicapping 101 session. Join their resident Handicapper, Phillip Shelton, for a fun filled hour of learning the art of handicapping focused completely on betting the 2018 Kentucky Oaks and Derby! Together, you’ll dive into Daily Racing Form, learn the lingo, what all those fractions mean, and even (hopefully!) pick a few winners. This is an interactive experience with plenty of time for Q & A and includes a 4-course Kentucky Derby themed meal! When you are ready to take you racing knowledge up a gear, check out this exclusive event!
