Visiting Stud Farms

[Kim]

I visited Three Chimneys this summer and I would say the tour lasted about an hour. I booked it online; I am not sure if their process has changed in recent months.

I also took a tour that was offered through the Kentucky Horse Park, which took us to WinStar and a couple of other area farms. The tour guide was fabulous. He had worked in the industry for a number of years and thus had a wealth of knowledge about various horses and races throughout history.

I will be going back to do some book events (new book about the history of Churchill Downs - to benefit Old Friends )this year and cannot wait to visit some other farms, so this thread is very helpful!

[ivy62]

I have done several farm tours and my favorite was Taylor Made. It was a personal tour unlike the other group tours. The girl who gave us the tour was wonderful. When she realized that this was near and dear to me, my horse was bred, there the entire tour changed. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours. She showed us my horse’s daddy’s stall. Then how they prep the yearlings for sale then she introduced me to Round Pond and Fleet Indian…Then I got to meet Forestry and the like…it is a fairly new facility but very nice…
The most gorgeous one in Gainesway! You feel like you are in Scotland! especially if it is a rainy day! What a place. I was able to meet Lyphard before he died and others…I also went to their fountain of champions and my horse’s grandpa was there so we started talking to the stallion manager and he was wonderful too!
Claiborne is a must. So rich in history that it cannot be replaced…I was talking to the groom about Ruffian as I stood outside Reviewer’s stall…
Calumet is a dream to get in to, They haven’t done tours in many years but rumor has it that they may open for WEG which I will be attending…
Have been to many others these are just some fo my favorites…
They are all beautiful…and so of the mare motels are nice too…