The Best Horse Farms In Lexington, KY

August 25th, 2022 by

If you’re a Lexington, Kentucky, local looking for something fun to do, or you’re planning an upcoming visit, make sure to check out the many prestigious horse farm tours in the area. The tours are a great way for you to get outside and learn more about these majestic animals, and whether you’re an avid fan of horseracing or a novice to the sport, it’s fun the whole family can enjoy. Here’s a list of the best horse farms in and around Lexington:

Jonabell Farm

A boy petting a horse

Image by Lucia Macedo is licensed with Unsplash License

Considered one of the most successful breeding sites around the world, Jonabell Farm is a must-visit if you’re in Lexington. They’ve bred over 200 stakes-winning racehorses, and if you sign up for their tour, you’ll have the chance to see their current stable of prestigious stallions. You can also sign up for their shuttle tour, where you’ll get to drive across their 800 acres of gorgeous paddocks and check out the farm’s mares and foals.

Committed to equestrian education, Jonabell Farm offers complimentary tours to educational groups and schools. This privately-owned horse farm is a great place to bring racing enthusiasts or little ones who want to learn more about these beautiful animals.

  • Location: 3333 Bowman Mill Road, Lexington, KY 40513.

New Vocations

If you’re a horseracing fan, you may wonder what happens to these remarkable animals at the end of their careers. New Vocations is an incredible place to visit to learn more about life for racehorses after they stop competing in the sport. As the largest and oldest racehorse adoption program in the country, they’re committed to helping rehome retired horses and providing them with a happy future as sport and riding horses or a family’s newest companion.

The primary purpose of this nonprofit organization is to provide these horses with rehabilitation and retraining so they’re ready for the next step in their lives. They’ve placed ex-racehorses in over 8,000 homes, where they have continued to impact the industry and local community positively.

  • Location: 719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, KY 40511.

Three Chimneys Farm

At Three Chimneys Farm, you and your loved ones can take a tour through their palatial stables to see their current horses face to face. This well-respected stud farm will teach you all about the breeding process and the safety protocols they have in place to ensure their prestigious horses stay healthy.

If you sign up for a tour at Three Chimneys, you’ll also be able to walk around their green paddocks and explore the acres of land their horses get to roam. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of equestrian sports or just looking for a fun weekend activity, make sure to check out this horse farm the next time you’re in the area.

  • Location: 1981 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, KY 40383.

Denali Stud

If you’re interested in visiting a world-renowned horse farm, make sure to check out Denali Stud, just outside Lexington in Paris, Kentucky. Since 1990, this farm has sold over $475 million worth of impressive horses, giving it a reputation for integrity and high-quality performance.

If you sign up for their tour, one of their team members will teach you and your companions about Denali Stud’s history, their breeding practices, and a description of their horse training methods. Consider visiting in the spring for the chance to see their mares and foals firsthand. If you stop by on the right day, you may even have the opportunity to see a foal being born.

  • Location: 1700 Georgetown Road, Paris, KY 40361.

Keeneland

If you or your loved ones are avid equestrians, make sure to stop by Keeneland during your next visit to Lexington. Keeneland is the largest thoroughbred sale site worldwide and is a well-regarded racetrack. While they don’t offer farm tours, there are a variety of other structured tours you can sign up for, which can teach you and your friends and family about the racing and the sales aspects of the business.

You can also watch the horses engage in their morning workouts for free since viewing is open to the public. Their staff even includes a “bet-ologist” who can help you and your loved ones if you’re interested in placing bets during a race.

  • Location: 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY 40510.

Claiborne Farm

Claiborne

Provided By Claiborne Farm

Sometimes referred to as the “Horse Capital of the World,” make sure to stop by Claiborne Farm, located a short drive outside Lexington in Paris, Kentucky. Its famous list of stallions includes 300 sires of champions, six Triple Crown, and 10 Kentucky Derby winners. If you sign up for their tour, you can visit the current horses that live at Claiborne, explore its 3,000 acres, and learn about the farm’s breeding process. You’ll get to end the tour with a visit to Secretariat’s grave site. This farm is so popular that even the Queen of England has visited it twice.

  • Location: 703 Winchester Road, Paris, KY 40361.

Taylor Made Farm

Located in Nicholasville, just outside Lexington, Taylor Made Farm is a beautiful 1,100-acre farm for thoroughbreds. If you schedule a tour here, their friendly staff will show you the station division of the farm and a mare and foal division where you can learn all about their breeding protocols. You can also visit the paddocks and meet a future racing star. Taylor Made Farm has sold over $2 billion in horses, so this is a great place to come and learn about the industry and its legends.

  • Location: 2765 Union Mill Road Nicholasville, KY 40356.

There you have it, the best horse farms in and around Lexington, Kentucky. Schedule a tour and let us know what you think. We’re sure you’ll have a blast with your loved ones. If you notice that one of your favorite farms is missing from our list, or you stumble upon a hidden gem, contact us, and we’ll be happy to update our list so more families can enjoy the horse farm tours this beautiful area has to offer.

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