Derby Week Itinerary: Equine Care and Fitness
Derby Week Itinerary: Equine Care and Fitness
The Horse Capital of the World is home to a number of operations that provide top-notch care for horses of all disciplines, ensuring that equine athletes from lesson horses to Derby winners receive the utmost care. Follow this itinerary to learn about the training of Thoroughbred racehorses, retraining and adoption and veterinary care.
This itinerary is recommended for guests visiting on May 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Please note: this itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on availability at the time of publishing. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Tour availability is subject to change.
Keeneland Morning Works Tour
8:30am – 9:30am | Lexington, KY
Experience morning training at this historic racecourse and learn more about Keeneland and Thoroughbred horse racing. This one hour tour provides an immersive looking into the history of Keeneland and the daily life of racehorses. Plus, you will get to see horses training on the main track!
Keeneland Racecourse offers a variety of public tours throughout the year, including during Kentucky Derby week! If you are in town during the first week of May, be sure to check out their Morning Works and Backstretch tours.
May we recommend… grabbing breakfast at the Keeneland Track Kitchen before or after your tour? Be sure to leave about 20 minutes for travel time between Keeneland and Hagyard.
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
10:30am – 12pm | Lexington, KY
Get a behind-the-scenes look into equine veterinary medicine, highlighting care & commitment for the horse at one of the oldest and largest equine hospitals in the world. Guests will be guided through this fully functioning equine hospital, and may see surgery, x-rays or a variety of other veterinary procedures taking place. A must see for horse lovers!
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is offering public tours during Kentucky Derby week at 10:30am on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Derby Week. To visit during Derby Week, please click here, or click here to book a tour outside of Derby Week.
Be sure to leave about 30 minutes for travel time between Hagyard and the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center.
Kentucky Equine Adoption Center
1:30pm – 3pm | Nicholasville, KY
Get up close and personal with the residents of Kentucky’s only all-breed equine rescue on this immersive tour! Guests will learn about the equine care, rehabilitation and retraining that takes places to give horses a fresh start on a new chapter of their lives. Plus, you’ll get to meet a few of the adoptable equines!
The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center offers public tours seven days a week at 1:30pm, including Kentucky Derby week! Book your Derby Week tour by clicking here, or your tour outside of Derby Week here.
May we recommend… grabbing an early dinner at Ramseys’ Diner, right on the Lexington + Nicholasville border? Known for their Southern comfort food, Ramsey’s is located about 15 minutes from the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center. Pro-tip: save some room for a slice of their famous pie!