Tag: itinerary

First things first, here in Kentucky, it’s “Ver-sales” rather than “Ver-sigh”. Even though it’s not quite the same as the Palace of Versailles, this small town is overflowing with charm, and yes, we do have a castle!

Located just west of Lexington, Woodford County is a beloved area for travelers and locals alike. We’ve arranged a day trip itinerary for your next trip to Versailles and Woodford County, Kentucky, including a distillery tour, horse farm tour and a few of our favorite places to shop, dine and explore.

Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.

TOUR

Start off your day with a tour of Woodford Reserve, or another one of Woodford County’s famous distilleries! When touring a distillery, you’ll have a chance to dive into the fascinating process that goes into producing Kentucky’s native spirit. You’re likely to see the process from fermentation to distilling, bottling to storage, and everything in between. Distillery tours often include a chance to taste Kentucky bourbon – either in a guided tasting or in a craft cocktail. As always, be sure to enjoy responsibly throughout your visit.

Tours often book up quickly, so we recommend making your reservations in advance of your trip. We highly recommend visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website for more details on how to book a distillery tour and what experiences each distillery offers.

EAT

Grab lunch at The Stave, nestled alongside Glenns Creek. This local favorite focuses on locally sourced and inspired dishes, from pimento cheese and hot browns to bread pudding, BBQ and more. We recommend making reservations ahead of your visit!

TOUR

After visiting a distillery and enjoying lunch, head to your horse farm tour! Woodford Reserve is located just a few miles from some of Kentucky’s top horse farms, including Coolmore’s Ashford Stud (home of Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify), Godolphin at Gainsborough Farm (the birthplace of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty), Pin Oak Stud (home to racehorses in training, mares, foals and a stallion), and more.

Reservations are required before arriving for a horse farm tour. We recommend clicking here to browse tour offerings, and utilize the filters to choose your preferred date and number of guests for the most up to date availability.

EXPLORE

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Woodford County, Kentucky! Head to Downtown Versailles for shopping, coffee and more. Be sure to take a photo in front of the horse farms mural while you’re there! If you can’t get enough, take the short drive to Midway for a more shopping and great options for dinner. Both towns feel like stepping into a Hallmark movie! Woodford County Tourism has incredible resources for planning your visit to this lovely area, which can be viewed by clicking here.

Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® AND BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and used with permission.

We’re excited to welcome visitors from around the world to Horse Country this week to celebrate BreyerFest! The Horse Country team will be in attendance along with Amplify Horse Racing. Stop by our shared booth throughout the event to learn more about horses and horse racing in the horse capital of the world.

Make the most of your time in Kentucky by visiting horse farms and equine facilities, meeting equine celebrities, and enjoying shopping, restaurants & more. We can’t wait to see you and share our love for the horse!

Note: Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.

Visit one of Kentucky’s horse farms

Many of Kentucky’s top horse farms and equine operations regularly open their gates and offer tours that provide an inside look at how horses are raised, trained and cared for!  

Dozens of tours are available throughout BreyerFest weekend in Lexington and the surrounding region. Get up close to momma mares & baby foals, see champion stallions, learn about how horses are cared and trained for, and more. Click here to view a list of all available tours, or head over to the Upcoming Tours page to find the perfect fit for your schedule. 

Looking to stay near the Kentucky Horse Park? Check out our list of the closest horse farm tours to the Horse Park by clicking here. 

Not sure where to start? Give us a call at (859) 963-1004 or email us at [email protected] for assistance on planning your itinerary.

Meet equine celebrities

The Bluegrass is home to lots of famous horses, many of whom live at farms that you can visit on a Horse Country tour! Some of these equine celebrities have even been immortalized as Breyer horses. 

• Cody’s Wish – this stallion with an incredible story lives at Jonabell Farm in Lexington. You can also visit the farm where he was born, Gainsborough Farm in Versailles!
• Zenyatta – a Hall of Fame inductee and the only female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Zenyatta is now enjoying retirement at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles. 
• Rachel Alexandra – she beat the boys in the Preakness Stakes and dominated the Kentucky Oaks on her way to a Hall of Fame racing career. Rachel Alexandra now lives at Stonestreet Farm in Lexington. 
• American Pharoah – in 2025 he became the first racehorse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. American Pharoah is now a stallion at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles. 
• Justify – this undefeated Triple Crown winning champion stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles. 

We do our best to let fans meet their favorites, however there are no guarantees that can be made for any horse on any particular tour as showings depend on the health and daily activities of our horses.

Experience the best of the Bluegrass

Kentucky has a lot to offer, from horses to history, great food, shopping and more. Whether you’re a regular visitor or a first time traveler to the Bluegrass, BreyerFest is a great opportunity to explore the region.

Take a look through our guides and itineraries to plan your visit to Horse Country and make the most of your time in Kentucky.

Keeneland is best known for its race meets each April and October, along with world-leading Thoroughbred sales in September, November and January. Even outside of these busy months, Keeneland is still a must-visit destination thanks to a variety of opportunities to experience this National Historic Landmark. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to enjoy Keeneland during their quiet season!

Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.

Take an official tour of Keeneland

Keeneland offers a variety of experiences, three of which are regularly available throughout the summer months.

The Morning Works Tour highlights the storied past of Keeneland and its impact on the world’s equine industry. You’re likely to see horses training over the track, and learn more about how racehorses train for the races. The Morning Works tour is offered most days at 8:30am and 9am. 

Keeneland’s Backstretch Tour combines the best of the Morning Works Tour with a more in depth look at the Keeneland stable area, or ‘ backstretch’. After watching horses train on the main track, you’ll visit the barn area where you might see horses getting a bath or receiving new shoes!

New for summer 2025, the Sunrise Tour is a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the world of training racehorses. You’ll learn all about the fascinating process of training horses, from beautiful vantage points overlooking horses exercising over one of the most famous racetracks in the world.

Check out Keeneland’s tour schedule, and book your visit, by clicking here.

Eat at the Track Kitchen

After watching morning workouts, we recommend heading to Keeneland’s Track Kitchen to enjoy a Southern, homestyle breakfast. The Track Kitchen is often considered one of Lexington’s best kept secrets, serving breakfast, lunch, and most importantly, Keeneland’s famous bread pudding!

You might even see some of racing’s most well known trainers, owners and jockeys, who are known to frequent this beloved establishment. 

The Keeneland Track Kitchen is open daily, from 6am – 1pm on weekdays and 6am – 11am on weekends.

Visit the Keeneland Shop

Located near the South Grandstand Entrance, the Keeneland Shop is the ultimate stop for apparel, homegoods and other items that celebrate horse racing and the Bluegrass. You’ll find Keeneland merchandise, along with locally-sourced goods that celebrate the best of what Kentucky has to offer.

Stop by the Keeneland Shop Monday through Saturday from 9am – 5pm.

Take in racing’s history at the Keeneland Library

Keeneland’s storied history continues at the Keeneland Library, the world’s largest repository of information about the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing. The Library is home to artifacts and exhibits relating to the history of the sport of horse racing and the state of Kentucky. It’s truly a one of a kind space that anyone with a passion for horses or history will enjoy.

The Keeneland Library is open from 8:30am – 4:30pm on weekdays.

Tour a nearby horse farm

Pair your visit to Keeneland with a tour of a nearby horse farm to learn more about Kentucky’s equine industry. There are many farms within just a short drive of Keeneland, including mare and foal nurseries, stud farms, training and adoption facilities, and more!

Start planning your visit here, or by checking out our other itineraries and guides.

Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.

Prospect, Kentucky, is located just a thirty minute drive from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. This charming small town sits among the picturesque rolling hills and horse farms that Kentucky is well known for, and provides a great opporunity for a day trip when visiting Derby City. We’ve put together this itinerary with some of our favorite spots to tour, eat and explore in a day to enjoy the best that Louisville and Prospect have to offer, from horses to history, bourbon and more!

Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.

TOUR

Start off your day with a tour of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Sanctuary Farm at Chestnut Hall. This 25 acre farm is home to 11 retired racehorses who are enjoying their days as ambassadors for the Thoroughbred breed. When visiting Chestnut Hall, you’ll have a chance to learn more about the day to day lives of these horses, how they are cared for, and the nationwide efforts of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TRF at Chestnut Hall offers tours daily at 11am, which can be booked by clicking here.

EAT

Enjoy a quick lunch at Market on 42, located less than a five minute drive down the road from Chestnut Hall and Second Stride. This historic deli and grocery is centered around locally produced food, with a stellar sandwich menu and fresh baked goods. Browse the selection of grocery items and local meats and produce while waiting for your meal to be made fresh.

TOUR

Learn all about how racehorses are transitioned to careers after racing on a tour of Second Stride. Second Stride is a leading equine adoption organization that focuses on providing professional retraining, rehabilitation and placement for Thoroughbreds of all ages. You’ll have a chance to meet some of the adoptable horses, as well as ambassador horses like Warrior’s Club, General A Rod and Twinspired.

Second Stride offers tours daily (except Sundays) at 1pm, which can be booked by clicking here.

EXPLORE

It’s just a short drive down the world to Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city and the home of the Kentucky Derby! Louisville has an abundance of activities to check out, from bourbon to baseball, horses to history, and so much more.

Churchill Downs hosts live racing throughout the year (be sure to check the calendar here), and offers tours of the facility and barn area. To get the full experience, we recommend visiting the Kentucky Derby Museum, which is dedicated to showcasing the stories of the Run for the Roses.

Some of our favorite spots in Downtown Louisville include the Frazier History Museum (the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail), the Louisville Slugger Museum and various distilleries.

Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.