Private Kentucky Farm Tours

[DerbyCat]

I'm going to Kentucky at the end of May this year and would love to tour some of the big farms. I hear the best way to see the farms is by hiring a private tour guide that can get you into farms that you might otherwise not be able to get into (I would LOVE to get a tour of Lanes End and I understand that they do not allow visitors during breeding season).

Can anyone here recommend a good local guide? Is there anything else that I need to make sure I don't miss during my trip? I'm going to try to stay a night at the Old Friends bed & breakfast (they give private tours if you stay there!) and I've got a friend that lives a half mile from Churchill so I'll be staying a couple nights there so I can get up early and see morning works... any advice is greatly appreciated!

[blackthroatedwind]

Just call the farms.

[Danzig]

i didn't hire anyone. just go to bloodhorse and click in the farm links for a start. you can email or call. most have days that they do tours-no need to pay anyone, but the hired help who takes you around sure won't snub a tip. have fun!

[sumitas]

They must have some good whiskey tours too .

[PPerfectfan]

I took my first trip to Ky, the week before Thanksgiving and besides having a trainer call to get me up close and "personal" with Pleasantly Perfect, I just called and asked if the date I wanted to go was open. I have to say, that Vinery was the nicest!! Heck, I just drove down, and went into the stud barn and Chelokee was out getting measured and I hung around as they did that, then as they groomed him and pulled his mane.The grooms and I just talked horse for over an hour and I got to go in with Silver Train, who was the sweetest thing. Then I drove around the farm and got out and took pics of the babies and mares. Gainesway was cool, the stud barns are amazing. My friend didnt care for them, but I thought they were great and Analisa who took us around, in not pleasant weather couldnt have been nicer. They brought Alex and Corinthan out for us. One thing is, dont forget to bring cash to tip the grooms!! I did at the first farm, and felt bad, so after I went and found an atm and went back! Oh and bring plenty of mints and carrots! Can you tell I really enjoyed my trip!!

[paisjpq]

Andy is right, just call the farms. Amost all of them are happy to take you around. Three Chimney's for example doesn't give regular tours but if you call and set something up they are great. Ashford is always worth seeing just for the overall ambience of the place--and they have an overhead viewing room where you can watch breedings if you want.
If you have some favorite old mare that you want to visit usually that isn't a problem either...when I worked at Trackside there was one woman who came pretty regularly to see Lite Light, she had no affiliation with the mare other than as a fan.

tipping is a must though.

You should also make time to se some of the distilleries (sp?) Woodford Reserve is absolutely beautiful esp. in the spring....I don't even drink but I love to go have luch there on the deck.