Best for guests who want to get up close and personal with horses in training, mares and foals. Get an inside look at the process of raising and training Thoroughbred racehorses.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE Race horses in training, mares, and foals, you may get hands-on too!
BEST FOR All Ages + Kid-Friendly, curious, casual, and committed fans welcome
ON THE TOUR You will be walking and standing throughout the tour. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes.
Come and join us for a glimpse into the world of Kentucky Derby winning Trainer Kenny McPeek’s operation including the birthplace of 2024 Derby winner Mystik Dan.
You will begin your visit with a stop at the McPeek Racing office, where you will learn about the history of Magdalena Farm, its importance to the Thoroughbred industry (Magdalena Farm was the first farm to offer commercial stud services to mares, starting in 1810!) and view a selection of trophies and memorabilia.
The tour will then move to the training barn, where visitors have the chance to learn about the care, daily schedule, horse management and training philosophy of McPeek Racing. You may even get up close and personal with racehorses in training! Many of McPeek’s top horses periodically ‘vacation’ at the farm in between races.
Many historic racehorses are buried on the property, giving guests the chance to learn the stories and significance of some of these notable residents.
The last stop on the tour will be the foaling barns, where mares and foals reside and enjoy their days grazing in the paddocks surrounding the barns. You will learn about the process of breeding and raising Thoroughbreds, and get up close and personal to the mares and foals who call the farm home. You’ll even see the stall in which 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan was born!
Throughout the tour, we encourage guests to take photos and share the beauty, grace and magnificence of our Thoroughbred horses and Magdalena Farm.
ABOUT MAGDALENA FARM + MCPEEK RACING
Magdalena Farm has an illustrious history, dating back to the Revolutionary War. It has been home to many famous Thoroughbreds, including two Kentucky Derby winners: 1959 Tomy Lee and 1960 Venetian Way, and three-time Horse of the Year Devil Diver.
Trainer Kenny McPeek purchased the property in 2006, and renamed it Magdalena Farm in honor of 19th century matriarch, Magdalena Weber Shely. He refurbished it, updating the structures and built a world class turf gallop for training racehorses. The facility is now home to 5 barns and 60 stalls, 23 turnout paddocks, and a world class turf gallop for training racehorses.
Kenny McPeek is one of the leading racehorse trainers in North America, and is based out of Lexington, Kentucky, and Ocala, Florida. Since his training career began in 1995, McPeek’s trainees have earned over $126 million on the racetrack. He has trained multiple grade one winners, including 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, 2024 Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna, 2020 Preakness Stakes winner Swiss Skydiver, 2002 Belmont winner Sarava and many more.
Learn more about McPeek Racing and Magdalena Farm on their website and through their social media pages: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter.
Please let us know of any request for accommodation or assistance. We are available at 859-963-1004 and [email protected].
Looking for another experience at McPeek Racing at Magdalena Farm? Check out their other tours linked below, or build out the rest of your itinerary with recommendations from the McPeek Racing at Magdalena Farm and the Horse Country team.
Interested in learning more about McPeek Racing at Magdalena Farm and their experiences?
Build out your itinerary with recommendations from Horse Country.
2651 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, KY, 40511
Here’s a few more resources to help you make the most of your time in Horse Country.
