Private Kentucky Farm Tours

PPerfectfan · #1 02-18-2009, 12:35 AM

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 · #2 02-18-2009, 05:36 AM

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.

parsixfarms · #3 02-18-2009, 06:59 AM

Although i can't say what it will be like in May, my experience is that farms such as Lane's End, Three Chimneys and Claiborne have fairly regular tours (usually around 10 AM) each morning. Just call to get an "appointment." Most of the farms are very accommodating.

Danzig · #4 02-18-2009, 07:01 AM

the only time you have difficulty scheduling for most farms is during breeding/foaling season and weaning. we went to three chimneys and claiborne, they were both fantastic.

philcski · #5 02-18-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

great suggestion re: the lunch... although you can't drink there even if you wanted to, Woodford County is completely dry

(they do have some awesome bourbon candy balls though)

paisjpq · #6 02-18-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

great suggestion re: the lunch... although you can't drink there even if you wanted to, Woodford County is completely dry

(they do have some awesome bourbon candy balls though)

since when? there's about 5 liquor stores in versailles (including one that just opened next to Kroger)...the distillery did not have a vendors license to serve alcohol until last year....now they allow tasting on the tour.

KY has 49 dry counties but I don't believe Woodford is one of them. And even in most of the dry counties (Mercer for example where I live) they can serve by the glass, just not on sundays.

Sightseek · #7 02-18-2009, 08:23 AM

Shadwell was extremely accomodating and all of the employees are very nice and very happy to spend time with you. Tip them well because they deserve it and bring lots of food for Invasor, he's a total nut.

Juddmonte was really enjoyable as well and make sure you take a look at the trophies in the office.

philcski · #8 02-18-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisjpq

since when? there's about 5 liquor stores in versailles (including one that just opened next to Kroger)...the distillery did not have a vendors license to serve alcohol until last year....now they allow tasting on the tour.

KY has 49 dry counties but I don't believe Woodford is one of them. And even in most of the dry counties (Mercer for example where I live) they can serve by the glass, just not on sundays.

hmm... you are correct. i must have been thinking of scott county, where on georgetown rd in georgetown there is a liquor store that says "last chance liquor" when you are leaving fayette and "first chance liquor" when entering. but i looked up dry counties and neither of them are on there. im confused

slotdirt · #9 02-18-2009, 08:58 AM

Don't go to Woodford on a Sunday unless you want to see the cattle and never get to try on the hat.

Habersham000 · #10 02-18-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

hmm... you are correct. i must have been thinking of scott county, where on georgetown rd in georgetown there is a liquor store that says "last chance liquor" when you are leaving fayette and "first chance liquor" when entering. but i looked up dry counties and neither of them are on there. im confused

I know certain parts of Scott country are dry but I thought the whole county is....woodford country is NOT dry.

As for Farm tours like everyone said make sure to leave a tip and don't try to pop into Darley unexpectitly, they have a guarded gate and won't let you in.

Although Margaux does not have the superstar stallions that other Kentucky farms has they are extremely nice if you want to make a visit.

Riot · #11 02-18-2009, 03:50 PM

Scott County allows liquor to be served in certain restaurants with dinner. No packaged goods available.

"First Chance-Last Chance" liquors is the closest place <g>

If one googles "Horse Farm Tours" for Lexington, call them and ask them what farms they visit - they do get you into some farms that normally don't like to do general public tours, and they do give you a beautiful driving tour of the bluegrass (you get to sit and watch). So if you want someone to "do it for you" for a morning or afternoon, these are terrific.

Here's some reliable good ones:
http://bluegrasstours.com/
http://www.horsefarmtours.com/

http://www.seethechampions.com/

If you want to do it yourself, yes, simply call and ask, and if the farms can accomodate you they certainly try to :-) Three Chimneys is good, and Claiborn out in Paris is very fun to visit - they use the same breeding shed they always have ... and the graveyard (Secretariat, Bold Ruler, etc) is amazing for the influential horseflesh the farm has owned. Walking through the two old stud barns, with all the former occupants brass nameplates still on the doors - gives ya shivers - pretty cool.

PS e-mail me before you come if you want, Old Friends is just up the road from me, I'm always up to lunch or dinner with a fellow Dee Tee-er! <g>

Ogygian · #12 03-13-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

What is the standard for tipping if I may ask? I am going to Old Friends and other farms in May and want to make sure I have the appropriate funds to tip.

Sightseek · #13 03-13-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogygian

What is the standard for tipping if I may ask? I am going to Old Friends and other farms in May and want to make sure I have the appropriate funds to tip.

I've heard $5 for each groom of the horse(s) you see.

Ogygian · #14 03-13-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I've heard $5 for each groom of the horse(s) you see.

Thank you, I didn't want to come up short.

blackthroatedwind · #15 03-13-2009, 10:23 AM

Just bring a wad of hundreds and throw it around.

Be a sport.

sumitas · #16 03-13-2009, 10:43 AM

LOL. It's only money .

PPerfectfan · #17 03-13-2009, 10:47 AM

When I went I heard $5 too. When we went to Gainesway, we got to see Alex (

) and Corinthian and the weather was very, very cold and had been sprinkling, so we gave $20 to the stud manager (who recently passed away) and asked him to get they guys breakfast for being so nice to bring them out in that nasty weather. If they go out of their way to be nice, I tried to tip alittle extra.