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Just five miles from Georgetown is the world famous Kentucky Horse Park, a 1200 acre educational theme park. It was created to honor the animal whose name has become synonymous with the Bluegrass.
Visitors are greeted by the bronze statue marking the grave of the legendary Man o' War. In the Visitor Center, they are introduced to the fascinating world of the horse with the spectacular film Thou Shalt Fly Without Wings.
After a trip through the International Museum of the Horse, the ring of the  farrier's hammer and the smell of new leather from the harness shop welcomes our guests to the Walking Farm Tour.
Open from March 15 to October 31, and Wed.-Sun. November 1 to March 14, the color, sound, and excitement of the show ring is captured twice daily in the Parade of Breeds. The half-hour presentation highlights the unique characteristics of some of the park's 50 different breeds. After the show, visitors have an opportunity to meet and pet their favorite horses, and talk with riders.
At the Hall of Champions, legendary horses representing Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse racing are presented in three daily presentations, April through October.
A horse-drawn streetcar, carriage, or a ride
on horseback offers an excellent chance to see the park's extensive horse show facilities. The indoor arena, steeplechase course, polo fields, and numerous dressage and show rings host over eighty of the nation's finest horse shows and events each year.
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway
I-75 Exit 120
859-233-4303 or 800-678-8813
March 14-October, daily 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m.
November-March 13, Wednesday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission Fees.
Open year-round a 260 site resort campground with water and electrical hookups.
Scott County is the location of dozens of horse farms, large and small. Many breeds - Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Paints, Quarter horses and Miniatures are bred here for racing, show and pleasure use. The county includes breeding farms and training facilities.
One of the county's most famous horses, 1988 Kentucky Derby winning filly Winning Colors, was foaled at Echo Valley Farm. Scott County has produced two more Kentucky Derby Winners -- Kingman & Venetian Way. Another famous "player" in the horse world - Bucky Sallee, the bugler who provides the call to the post at famous Keeneland Race Course in Lexington - is a Scott County resident.
Most private Scott County horse farms are closed to the public; however several allow visitors by appointment only. Other area farms offer lessons and/or trail rides. Be sure to call ahead, and observe farm rules such as no smoking.
You will see horses along almost every Scott County road, but several areas include a concentration of farms and are good for drive-by viewing. Please, no petting or feeding the horses!
Turn right on Etter Lane, off US-25 South (just south of the by-pass intersection), where you will pass Echo Valley Farm, where Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors was foaled. Turn right when Etter Lane dead-ends at Iron Works Pike.
Summer Wind Farm, with its elegant barns and rock fence, is on your right. Turn left onto US-62, passing Glencrest Farm. Horse farm country continues to and along US-421.
Angel's Acres, 1859 Stamping Ground Road. Morgan Horses. Currently standing one stallion (SSES Special Entertainer) - world champion bloodlines - (4) mares - three finished in top 10 in the world - English, Western Pleasure - English pleasure driving - Equine driving lessons (carriage and English pleasure) after 5 p.m. Daily - riding instruction available.Tours by appointment. 502-863-0399 or Cell: 502-316-0597. E-mail: angelsacres@att.net
Cane Run Farm, 1520 Lexington Road. Over 75 horses reside on this Thoroughbred and Standardbred boarding farm surrounded by stone fences. By appointment only. 502-863-6091
Claiborne Farm, north of Lexington near Paris. Great Secretariat, 1973 Triple Crown winner, lived and is buried at this famous farm outside Paris. Open to visitors by appointment only. E-mail: msummers@claibornefarm. 859-987-2330
Jordan Farm, 4091 Newtown Pike. A 100-acre working Thoroughbred farm with several noteworthy racehorses being raised on the farm. Mares and foals brought in both mornings and afternoons. 502-863-1944
Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Parkway. The Horse Park is a working horse farm and educational theme park. Set on more than 1,200 acres in the heart of Kentucky's famous Bluegrass Region. Featuring nearly 50 different breeds of horse at work and at play, the park showcases the horse in daily equine presentations, horse drawn tours and carriage rides, horseback riding and pony rides, two outstanding museums, twin theaters, and an exciting array of around 80 horse shows and special events throughout the year. Home of Kentucky's oldest living Derby winner, 1976 champion Bold Forbes. Open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (November 1-March 14) 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. seven days a week (March 15-October 31) Tours available. 859-233-4303 or 800-678-8813
Lantern Hill Farm, 1150 East Leestown Road, Midway. A 144-acre boarding, breeding and sales operation. Mares and foals can be seen on the farm from spring through June. Tours June-December. Open to visitors by appointment only. E-mail: infor@lanternhillfarm.com. 859-846-5552
Millstream Farm, 1834 Lemons Mill Road. Standardbred horses. Basically this is a trotting brood mare farm operation. Open to visitors by appointment. 502-863-9606
Montesacro Farm, LLC, 307 Stone Road. Thoroughbred horse farm. Open to visitors by appointment only. E-mail: montesacro@aol.com. 502-867-1383
Mulholland Farm, 381 Crumbaugh Pike. Thoroughbred horse farm, cattle, tobacco. Open to visitors by appointment only. 502-863-1524
Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Road. A 52-acre retirement and rescue facility for former race horses such as 1988 Eclipse-winner Sunshine Forever, Super Derby winner Wallenda & one of the last great sons of Damascus, Ogygian. Home to 27 thoroughbreds, you can also meet Seabiscuit movie star horse Popcorn Deelites. Old Friends is a 501c3 non-profit. E-mail: michael@oldfriendsequine.org. Tours Daily call 502-863-1775 or www.oldfriendsequine.org
Peninsula Farm, 2582 Ironworks Pike. Standardbred horse farm. Open to visitors by appointment only. E-mail: info@peninsulafarm.com. 502-863-6742
Three Chimneys, Old Frankfort Pike, Midway.Tours are offered several days a week, and are by appointment only. Please call or email for an appointment. For the safety of our visitors and our stallions, we must limit our tours to 25 or 30 persons and this is done on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we recommend that appointments be made well in advance. This is especially true at busy times of the year, like during the Keeneland Spring and Fall Racemeets. (And Kentucky Derby Week is usually booked six months in advance.) There is no charge for the tour. We do ask visitors to remember that this is a working farm, and not a zoo or petting farm, and to consider that this may not be a place to bring children with short attention spans, or who are not mindful of their parents. Tours by appointment. E-mail: farmtours@threechimneys.com. For information, 859-873-7053
Werkway Stables, 1076 Leesburg Road. American Saddlebreds, used for show and pleasure riding, are Kentucky's only native breed of horse. Saddlebred farms that allow visitors by appointment include Werkway Stables. 502-863-0416
Woodview Farm, 500 Paynes Depot. Thoroughbred horse farm and cattle. Open to visitors by appointment only. Monday through Friday. 859-254-5283
Valkyre Stud, 2717 Long Lick Pike. Mares, foals, and yearlings. Open to visitors by appointment only. E-mail: cindy.k@hughes.net. 502-535-6564
Blue Grass Tours, There is no better way to see Central Kentucky's beautiful Bluegrass Region than with Bluegrass Tours-the area's oldest and largest tour operator. You'll ride through pristine countryside filled with exquisite horse farms and stop for a visit to at least one of them. Next, visit historic downtown Lexington to enjoy sites like Mary Todd Lincoln's childhood home, Transylvania University, the grand houses of the Gratz Park district and the elegant bronze statues and fountains of Thoroughbred Park. You'll visit either world-famous Keeneland Race Course or harness racing's historic Red Mile racetrack. Your tour will also include a view of the great Man O' War statue and gravesite standing guard over the Kentucky Horse Park's entry. Blue Grass Tours offers a daily 9 a.m. morning tour April through October-with tours by special arrangement during the rest of the year. Please allow 3 hours for each tour. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm. 859-252-5744 or 800-755-6956
Keeneland Race Course, Noted as one of the world's most beautiful racetracks. Keeneland Association holds racing meets in April and October. Its annual sales, held in a pavilion on the grounds, are the world's largest and most prestigious Thoroughbred auctions. Visitors are welcome to stroll the grounds any time of the year. You might want to come early to watch the morning workouts on the main track mid-March to Mid-November. Tours are available for non-profit or schools only. Reservations required. 859-288-4142 or 800-456-3412
Red Mile Harness Track, Since 1875, more harness racing world records have been established on this red clay track than on any other. Race meets are held late in the Spring and Fall. Visitors are always welcome to stroll the grounds between 7 a.m. and dark. During race meets, the barn area is closed. In July the track is the site of the nation's largest outdoor Saddlebred show. Tours available. 859-255-0752
The Thoroughbred Center, Where the champions of tomorrow are in training today. Observe trainers up close as they teach their horses the skills they will need to become winners. You may even get to watch a future Derby winner step into a starting gate and break from it for the very first time. After workouts, be amazed at the care, equipment, and methods used to keep these magnificent horses in championship racing condition. Make plans to visit this unique facility during your stay in the bluegrass, and become a part of Kentucky's world-famous Thoroughbred industry. Tours available. Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. (April -October); Monday-Friday 9 a.m. (Nonember-March). 859-293-1853
Thoroughbred Heritage, Hop aboard the Man O' War Trolley! Beginning at the historic Kentucky Horse Park, it's on to a scenic drive through the heart of Bluegrass Country with stops at Winstar Farms, Old Friends, and others. Includes a visit to downtown Midway. For further information, rates, and reservations call 859-260-8687. Toll Free: 800-808-9533
Horse Farm Tours, Inc., Visit historic downtown Lexington, drive by the sloping hills of the legendary Calumet Farm, take a walking tour of Keenland racecourse, take in the gift shop, and stop by two working thoroughbred farms, including Old Friends. For further information, rates, and reservations call 859-268-2906
Note: When visiting a horse farm, it's customary to tip the groom or farm representative who shows you around, usually $5 to $10 depending upon the time spent with you. If taking a guided or private tour, ask if the fee includes tips.
If you like to travel at your own pace, have specific farms, horses and attractions you want to see--or want the added allure of "insider" knowledge and access--you can hire a private guide for a custom tour. This is the luxurious way to go. Most private tour companies have access to a wide variety of farms (some not open to groups or do-it-yourself tours). You can make pit stops or photo stops as often as you like. And your guide should entertain you with all kinds of fascinating facts, legends and lore.
As you might expect, private, custom tours cost more than guided group tours but may turn out to be a somewhat comparably priced alternative if you have more than a few people in your family or group. In most cases, custom tours are offered as a "step-on service" --the guide joins you in your vehicle. Some companies will provide transportation, especially for groups.
What you'll pay for a custom tour can vary widely depending upon the tour company, the length and content of the tour, the number in your party, and whether you use their transportation or yours. Minimum prices recently quoted ranged from $65 to $150 for a two or three hour tour for a few people. Here are companies that offer private, custom tours. All are friendly and knowledgeable. A good way to choose one is to call in advance of your visit to discuss possible itineraries and rates and to get a sense of which guide's personality and tour style might best complement your own.
Karen Edelstein, Private Guide. 859-266-5465
Kentucky Horse Tours. 859-312-1124
Kentucky Living History Tours. 859-293-9367
Horses of Kentucky. 859-277-4625
Lexington Connection, Inc. 859-269-4040
Lexington in Touch, Inc. 859-224-4226
Tours of Tradition by Scott Goodlett, Inc. 859-879-0319 or 800-450-6444
Creative Tours. Your group must include four to eight people.859-223-9293
Burr Oak Stables, US-25 N, 2179 Cincinnati Pike. A unique Morgan and Standardbred operation offering riding lessons, boarding and tours by appointment. Indoor and outdoor arena. 502-863-0887
Bella Run, 1400 Lexington Road, Georgetown: Small, quiet horse boarding facility located on 110 beautiful acres in the heart of the Bluegrass, we are within minutes of the Kentucky Horse Park and scenic downtown Georgetown. Cannon Acres is currently offering horse boarding (full or self care), turn-out, and over night stabling. Contact John Saunders for more information at 502-316-3014 or Lori at 502-316-0846, lorisaunders@bellsouth.net
Dunndriftin Ranch, 4150 Newtown Pike. A working quarter horse farm. Offering boarding, riding lessons, horse back riding, 72x144 indoor arena for rent for activities. For information, 502-867-1289
Eagle Creek Horse Motel & Trails, Horseback riding & camping. Located in Northern Scott County on a 150 acres nestled one mile off I-75 Exit 136. 502-863-0609 or
www.eaglecreekhorsemotel.com
High Point Equestrian Center, 3943 Frankfort Road. Specializing in Quarter Horses and Paints. High Point features both western and hunt seat riding. Offering boarding, training, private and semi-private lessons, overnight stabling, and indoor and outdoor arenas. Tours by appointment. 502-863-2944
Mallard Farm, 4673 Muddy Ford. Offering boarding, breeding and training of American Saddlebred horses. Mallard Farm offers quality riding instructions in a friendly and safe environment. The farm also has a nationally recognized youth club called "Mighty Mallard Mustangs." The program is designed to educate members about American Saddlebred horses, develop sportsmanship and leadership, and also to serve the community. 502-863-0107
Whispering Woods, 265 Wright Lane. 250 acres of mixed forest with an extensive trail system, a pond, creeks and abundant wildlife. Well trained horses are available for your riding adventure year round and go from an hour to weeklong riding trips. For more information phone 502-570-9663
Gayla Equestrian Driving Center, 3329 Cynthiana Road. This Farm specializes in training horses to harness and teaching the skills of driving. Modern facilities include a large indoor arena. 502-863-5113 or 800-360-5774. e-mail: gayla3329@aol.com
Festival of the Horse, An annual event in downtown Georgetown. For information visit the website.
Click on the map above for a printable map of the area.
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farrier's hammer and the smell of new leather from the harness shop welcomes our guests to the Walking Farm Tour.
