Myself and two friends will be in Lexington in March for the RTTH competition and we have an extra day and would like to visit some of the breeding farms. Do any of you have any suggestions as to whether it would be better to set up individual visits or take one of the tours that are offered. Any ideas as to which farms are most visitor friendly? I was thinking of making a list of the stallions I want to see and then contact each farm to see if we could visit at that time. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Claiborne Farm is visitor friendly and it is a farm you should definitely see. You can feel the history oozing out everywhere.
Adena Springs is one of my favorite farms…just because of how nice everyone was when I visited.
Keep in mind that March is going to be a very busy time in the breeding season (so you may need to be flexible on the day/time). And tip the person who shows you around. 
Most of the area hotels (even the mid and lower cost ones) can get you contact information and/or arrange a tour or try googling Lex farm tours if you don’t want to go on the tours offered by the competition. Might be easier then trying to contact each individual farm. Most of the time, the tour groups recommended by the hotels are small so you don’t feel like a dumb tourist.
But it is smack in the middle of breeding season and still very much foaling season so most will restrict visiting hours to both tours and individual visitors and the stallions will be…otherwise occupied…and not as likely to be presented to visitors. Jeesh, with as many covers as some are now doing? They need their nap time.
Dont forget the increasing number of iconic retirees at Old Friends that are worth a visit and not otherwise occupied.
I would recommend that you contact a small tour company called Kentucky Horse Tours at (859) 312-1124. They have a Facebook page also. They do very intimate tours, not with a big group, and take into account where you would like to go. The people are very knowledgeable and incredibly nice.
Also, if you don’t have a place to stay yet, check out The Eighth Pole Inn:
I have been staying there for about 8 years and cannot say enough good things about it. I literally could type for pages about how much I love this place, but I will spare you. Suffice it to say that the place is amazing - it is a working horse farm and B&B. The co-owner/manager Jason is a horseman, and is also just an incredible guy. You won’t be disappointed.
Have a great time in the most beautiful place on earth!
I second this -Claiborne is wonderful and the history really does ooze…
[QUOTE=ravenclaw;8468146]
Claiborne Farm is visitor friendly and it is a farm you should definitely see. You can feel the history oozing out everywhere.
Adena Springs is one of my favorite farms…just because of how nice everyone was when I visited.
Keep in mind that March is going to be a very busy time in the breeding season (so you may need to be flexible on the day/time). And tip the person who shows you around. :)[/QUOTE]
I did a half day tour through a company (forget the name) a number of years ago.
For me, one of the highlights was the cemetery at Calumet… the names on the headstones are racing royalty (at least IMO ).
As others have said, you will be here right in the middle of the busiest time for both the farms and the stallions. Unless you have connections, you’re probably going to have a difficult time arranging a personal visit. I think you would be better off contacting one of the tour groups.
Chap called Shaun Washington is hilarious and has all the ‘ins’. Does groups.
Be sure to book a tour at Old Friends. (And be sure to make a donation!). You will get up close and personal with many a good old boy. Keep in mind that most tours you dont get to pet the horses
Like mentioned above, by all means book a tour at Old Friends. (And be sure to make a donation!). You will get up close and personal with many a good old boy. Keep in mind that many tours you dont get to pet the horses, but at Old Friends, pet away!
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do know that we will be there during breeding season and will look into booking one of the tours that were suggested. Old Friends is also definitely on our list to visit. It will be nice to some of the older champions close up.
Take a drive around Keeneland too. If time permits, have breakfast at the track kitchen.
I second breakfast at the track kitchen. That was fun.
Keeneland is one of my favorite tracks - used to go watch the morning works while I was there at Rolex 
Three Chimneys does a good tour too. Check ahead for what time their tours begin so you don’t waste time waiting in the parking lot like I did??
You will have a blast. Claiborne was great, for sure
Keeneland is the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing,magical place - the hospitality, cleanliness, attention to detail, the food, omg.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;8471452]
You will have a blast. Claiborne was great, for sure
Keeneland is the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing,magical place - the hospitality, cleanliness, attention to detail, the food, omg.[/QUOTE]
Keeneland isn’t actually “open” in March. Racing stables will have begun to move in for the April meet and horses will be galloping on the track(s) in the morning. The main office, the racing office, and the stable office are open and the grandstand is accessible but, aside from the track kitchen, the rest of the facilities are not.
We just got home from a short visit to Ky. Probably my 10th time in KY. We visited American Pharoah at Ashford, and went to Old Friends. This was our first time at Our Friends and it’s great. You can pet and feed almost everyone at Old Friends. Except War Emblem, who is in double fencing and that’s as close as you can get to him. We stopped by Keeneland and their gift shop. That gift shop is amazing. The tours are your best bet at that time of year.
Double recommend the Keenland gift shop - hope it is open when you go for breakfast, as you absolutely have to. And Old Friends - seems to me it is free to go in but a donation would not be refused.
I just called or emailed the farms and got my own tour most places. Three Chimneys brings out one of their stallions and you can pet it and take pictures. They will also let you watch a breeding. Lanes End will bring out any stallion you want to see - for pictures, petting etc. Very friendly there. Even had my own tour at Lanes End to see Zenyatta. Claiborne has a great tour, but don’t be late for it. Spendthrift also has a nice tour - my own private tour with them. The same with Ashford before American Pharoah - watched a breeding, just me and a friend there. I even got to Gainesway which didn’t give tours then, but they let me come on to see Afleet Alex, whose trainer was a friend of mine, and Birdstone. Then they even brought Tapit to see me - before he was as famous as he is. I went to the farms’ web sites and emailed that I was going to be in town and could I come for a visit. In all cases, they said yes. Three Chimney’s was a scheduled tour, as was Claiborne, but the rest were set up just by me. I did not take any of the tours, went on my own. I was also at Adena Springs - very nice visit and very friendly folks. All beautiful farms.
“Keeneland isn’t actually “open” in March.”
Ooopsie, I forgot. Thanks, Laurie!
