We couldn't get enough of horses so went for a Horse Farm Tour to some of the premier Kentucky horse farms.
Our first stop was at Hurricane Hall. The original house on the property was built in the 1790's. It was purchased in 1803 by Colonel Roger Quarles. The house remained in the family and his grandson had 12 children and it is said that the children ran through the house like a hurricane. That is when it became Hurricane Hall. No one lives in it today and that may be because they say it is haunted by those children still running through the house. The house is on the Hurricane Hall Farm property
Hurricane Hall Farm is owned by Billionaire Brad Kelley. He now also owns the historic Calumet Farm. The barn is beautiful......a perfect home for those valuable horses.
The fillies came running when they saw there were visitors.
These horses don't care that they are worth a fortune. They still love the pats and attention from us humans.
Next stop.................Shadwell Farm. Owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The Shadwell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky was constructed in 1985. This is the farm's stallion division.
This place is beyond imagination. This is one of the many stallion barns on the property. This is a world class facility and the horses descend from the best bloodlines in the world. Our tour guide, Shaun, and the trainers, grooms etc at the facilities can spout off the ancestry of every horse we met. Amazing.
We didn't get very close to the stallions. Their grooms were very protective and the stallions can be dangerous. This is Albertus Maximus. He earned over $1.3 million in his races but I am sure that stud fees will outpace that. Shadwell Farm is also home to many of the world's top broodmares.
This is Intidab. He won over a half million and with his bloodline his stud fees must bring in a fortune.
This is the breeding barn. Planked wood ceilings, padded walls, and perfectly raked ground.
They have spent millions on landscaping. It is spectacular. The stories that our guide told about the Sheik almost defy reality. The amount of money that he has and spends is beyond comprehension. Billions of dollars are spent. He has two planes that are for transporting horses that hold 100 horses each. His wife buys truckloads of merchandise that is flown back to Dubai with them on their white 747. When the Lexington Airport wanted to expand a runway onto his property his answer was "No, the planes bother my horses now." When they insisted he told his manager to buy the airport. When the airport realized he meant it they did their expansion in a different direction. It was eye opening to spend time in such a place.
We made a stop at Park Equine Hospital. One of their wonderful young vets (Tia) took us on a tour and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I wish that I would have the medical care that they lavish on the horses they treat. Most of all I would love to have the medical staff that I deal with have the care and concern that they do. She took us through how they are handled from the time that they are admitted until they are healed and released. The facility is fully equipped and immaculately clean. They even have a drive up window for their pharmacy! They also make "farm" calls when that is necessary. This part of the barn is the quarantine area and happily while we were there no horses were in that part.
Next stop KatieRich Farms. Owned by Larry Doyle it was originally a cattle farm until he purchased it in 2007. That was the beginning of extensive renovations that transformed it into a world class breeding farm.
His barns are awesome. Those horses don't lack for any comforts. All barns were designed by Mark Hubley who is the farm manager.
Mares and foals are brought in every day, groomed and feet checked, temperatures taken and eating habits closely monitored.
There were so many foals...........perfect time of year to see them.
Aren't they beautiful?
Baby horse perfection. Just think this little one could be gracing some of the biggest races in the country in the next few years.
Interesting to hear our guide and the employees debating how much these little babies will sell for......................guesses were from 2 to 3 million. Wow! This is not an industry for the middle class.
Disclosure. This mare was my favorite. She was absolutely grand and her coloring was like a blue fox coat I once owned. There is something about that soft nose and the push she gives in hopes you have brought a treat that makes me melt.
Our guide, Shaun, is in red and KatieRich owner, Larry Doyle, is on the right. Mr. Doyle was so cordial welcoming us to his farm. I would think it would be a little stressful to have strangers wandering around your valuable horses. Shawn was raised in Lexington and has owned race horses so has close contacts in the farms. He has a working knowledge of the farms and his behind the scenes stories were very entertaining.
Although the tour lasted longer than the original 3 hours we were told it was absolutely too short for me. This is the gorgeous entrance to Keeneland Race Course. This is where a portion of the movie "Seabiscuit" as filmed in 2003. Races at Keeneland only run about 16 days in April and then again 16 days in October. The next day was opening day and we had planned on going, however, the day dawned cold and rainy and we decided it probably wouldn't be much fun being outside for hours so we did not go. It is probably going to be one of my big regrets.
"The horse, with beauty unsurpassed, strength immeasurable and grace unlike any other,
still remains humble enough to carry a man upon his back."
~ Amber Senti