Derby Week Guide: Champion Stallions
Derby Week Guide: Champion Stallions
Before the next Kentucky Derby winner is crowned, take a stroll down memory lane and see some of the top racehorses turned stallions that call Horse Country home. From Derby winners to Breeders’ Cup Champions and many more accolades, these stallions have won some of the biggest races in the country (and world)! Follow this guide to see champion stallions and learn more about the daily life of a breeding stallion.
Please note: This guide lists the availability of Derby Week stallion tours 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.
Airdrie Stud
Midway, KY
The rich history of Airdrie Stud is intertwined with the storied history of the Kentucky Derby. Currently, the farm is home to Kentucky Derby winner Mage, along with stallions like Upstart and Girvin who ran in the Derby and have both been represented with runners on the First Saturday in May.
Airdrie Stud is offering Derby Week tours on April 29 + 30, which can be booked by clicking here, and May 1, which can be found here. Outside of Derby Week, they offer public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which can be booked here.
Godolphin at Jonabell Farm
Lexington, KY
Jonabell Farm is home to two Kentucky Derby winners – Nyquist and Street Sense – among the strong roster of Darley stallions who reside at this historic property. Their stallion roster also includes multiple Breeder’s Cup winner Cody’s Wish, Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality and more top studs.
Jonabell Farm is offering Derby Week tours on May 4 + 5, which can be booked here. Outside of Derby Week, they offer public tours Thursday – Sunday each week, which can be booked here.
Lane’s End Farm
Versailles, KY
Lane’s End is home to top stallions such as Quality Road and Candy Ride, as well as a few recent additions to their stallion complex – Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Flightline and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo.
Check out their Derby Week schedule here, and view their 2024 schedule of stallion complex + shuttle tours here.
Mill Ridge Farm
Lexington, KY
While Mill Ridge Farm is home to just two stallions, both are Breeders’ Cup champions with strong race records and pedigrees. Oscar Performance, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, is the sire of multiple graded stakes winners, and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Aloha West is off to a strong start in his second year at stud.
Mill Ridge is offering tours each day of Derby Week, which can be booked here. Plus, they offer tours seven days a week outside of Derby Week, which can be viewed here.
Spendthrift Farm
Lexington, KY
Spendthrift Farm has the unique distinction of being the only farm in the world to stand a Kentucky Derby winner and their sire at the same time – Authentic and Into Mischief. There are a two opportunities to visit the stallions of Spendthrift Farm during Derby Week, their Champion Stallions Tour (best for guests who would like to see multiple stallions and learn about the breeding industry) and the Authentic Experience (best for fans of Kentucky Derby winner Authentic).
Book your Champion Stallions Experience here, or click here to get your tickets for the Authentic Experience. If you’d like to visit the Spendthrift stallion complex outside of Derby Week, click here!
Taylor Made Farm
Nicholasville, KY
Experience the best of both worlds when visiting Taylor Made Farm with visits to their stallion complex and nursery division. Top studs like Not this Time (sire of Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter), Early Voting (Preakness Stakes winner), Knicks Go (two-time Breeders’ Cup winner) are just a few of the residents of their stallion division.
Taylor Made is offering Derby Week tours on May 1 – 4, which can be booked here. Outside of Derby Week, they offer public tours on Fridays and Saturdays, which can be booked here.
Three Chimneys Farm
Midway, KY
Three Chimneys Farm combines a storied history of Thoroughbred breeding with an exciting, young roster of leading stallions. The farm is home to leading stallion Gun Runner, sire of Kentucky Derby hopeful Sierra Leone, as well as young sires Volatile, Funtastic and longtime resident Sky Mesa.
Three Chimneys Farm is offering Derby Week tours on May 2 + 3, which can be booked here. Outside of Derby Week, they offer public tours in April and October, which can be booked here.
WinStar Farm
Versailles, KY
WinStar Farm has a successful history with the Kentucky Derby, having owned two Derby winners in Super Saver and Justify. Their current stallion roster includes Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, as well as a slew of other top racehorses who have become top stallions.
During Derby Week, WinStar Farm is offering a Stallion Complex tour on May 6 and a Shuttle Experience on May 1. Outside of Derby Week, they offer public tours throughout the year, which can be booked here.
