Mill Ridge Farm: Champion Racehorses, Scenic Landscapes, Deep Tradition

Mill Ridge is a sprawling 900-acre Kentucky horse farm with green pastures, rolling hills, and picturesque ridge lines located in the heart of Horse Country. The land was originally a part of Beaumont Farm, an agriculture farm that raised cattle and grew tobacco and corn in addition to raising thoroughbreds. Beaumont was initially operated by Alice's father, Hal Price Headley.

When Alice Headley Chandler inherited the parcel that became Mill Ridge in 1962, her dream was to start a horse farm specifically for breeding and boarding thoroughbred racehorses. With the help of her sons Headley and Reynolds, they partnered with a landscape architect to lay out the land. They were very intentional with the design creating seven miles of scenic roadway to guide guests to the farm. Mill Ridge has become a popular destination for Lexington, Kentucky, horse farm tours in the world's horse capital.

Within the last few years, Mill Ridge has committed to planting 60 new trees annually, as well as Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans, to preserve the breathtaking landscape. Horst Schach, an arborist and the influential landscape architect who designed Mill Ridge, led a Historic Tree Tour on the legendary property in 2021. The farm is known for its beautiful aesthetic and rich heritage rooted in six generations of equestrian tradition.

When Alice started Mill Ridge, she had just four broodmares left to her by her father. In three short years, she foaled SIR IVOR, who would become the first American horse sold at public auction at the 1966 Keeneland July Selected Yearling Sales for $42,000. SIR IVOR would go on to win the Epsom Derby and paved the way in growing European interest in American breds. This led to Mill Ridge selling its highest priced yearling in 2004. He was named JALIL and sold for $9.4 million. 

We have been passionate about building positive relationships between horses and humans for the last 60 years. Mill Ridge has raised or sold 36 Grade I winners since 2000, including eight Breeders' Cup winners, five Horse of the Year Titleholders, and one Kentucky Derby winner. Oscar Performance, the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Champion, was born and raised at Mill Ridge and returned home for a career as a stallion.

Mill Ridge has raised champions and attributes the success to the land, its team, and timeless philosophy of putting the horse first. This approach has been successful for our clients for decades. If you are considering the purchase of a thoroughbred racehorse, we invite you to Lexington, Kentucky, horse farm tours to experience the Mill Ridge firsthand.

Horse Boarding at Mill Ridge Farm

The boarding service, where we care for your horse on a daily basis, is the foundation of our farm. We are currently boarding 200 horses, with 55 foals born this year. Mill Ridge raises young thoroughbreds on fresh pasture and allows them to spend as much time as possible outdoors. 

The fertile land we sit on supplies the foundation for our horses to thrive, and the results of producing a healthy racehorse are evident. We provide lots of turnout time for young thoroughbreds to roam and learn how to be a horse. Approximately 16 miles of double fences are part of the iconic horse farm landscape. The fences allow horses to see each other and interact but have enough distance to avoid fighting or unintended pairings. Our farm has some of the best soils and pastures in the region. Mill Ridge Farm gives thoroughbreds the proper diet and exercise they need as a foundation for their future training.

This regimen has proven effective time and time again in the creation of champions. While weanlings and yearlings are raised in our boarding program, the owners will determine the horse's future. If the owners decide the horse is born for racing, he will remain on the farm until October of their yearling year. Afterwards, they are generally sent to Ocala, Florida to begin their early training. If owners determine that horses are raised for the sales, then they will be sold in September of their yearling year at some of the most famous horse auctions in the country or, sometimes, in the world. If you are considering the purchase of a thoroughbred racehorse, we encourage you to book Lexington, Kentucky, horse farm tours to experience Mill Ridge firsthand.

The talented staff at Mill Ridge farm embrace the adage, "if you take care of the horse, it will take care of you.” The farm employs approximately 40 staff members comprised of veterinarians, 25 grooms, a team of blacksmiths, and the operational team members. Many of these experienced horsemen have worked with Mill Ridge for over twenty years.

We invite you to learn more about our boarding program through Lexington, Kentucky, horse farm tours. There is much to see when you tour Mill Ridge, from future thoroughbred champions to the day-to-day operations of a working farm. You can also see our modern barns. We have 14 barns on the property, numbered 1 through 15, with one exception. We do not have a "13th" barn because Hal Price Headley was very superstitious. Mill Ridge leased this land for many years, which is why the barns are listed in this numerical order.

 Lexington, Kentucky Horse Farm Tours

Barn 1: This is the Yearling colt barn and is 1 of 3 concrete block barns on the farm.

Barn 2: "Newkirk's Barn" is also a tobacco barn. This building was originally located where barn number 1 is now. Newkirk's Barn was named after the incredible horseman who was the only person who worked in the Barn in the 1970s. Eventually, it needed to be moved down the hill to its current location to make room for the yearling colt barn.

Barn 3: The "Training Barn" was the only Barn under construction when Alice Chandler inherited the land in 1962. She borrowed money from her mother to build the first Training Barn.

Barn 4: This is another tobacco barn located below Mrs. Chandler's home. It is known as the foaling barn, where Gene Burgin foaled SIR IVOR with Reynolds's assistance in 1965.

Barn 5: This is the second concrete block barn and is currently being used as the foaling barn.

Barn 6: This is also a tobacco barn and was part of the acquisition of the Waits property.

Barn 7: This is another Tobacco barn located on the Helm Place property and is currently leased.

Barn 8: A new farm acquisition and a former tobacco barn located on the Mint Lane Property.

Barn 9: A second tobacco barn is located on the Mint Lane property.

Barn 10: is the third concrete block barn built by the Green brothers on the Mint Lane Property.

Barn 11: Also located on Mint Lane, this Barn was once the breeding shed for the Green brothers. Now it is used as an isolated area and a quarantine barn as needed.

Barn 12: Is located by the creek on Mint Lane and awaiting repair before further use.

Barn 14: This is a former tobacco barn located on the Waits property.

Barn 15: This is the last Barn in the back on the Helm Place property adjacent to the home.

Experience the barns and barn cats in person as you walk the open spaces during Lexington, Kentucky, horse farm tours at Mill Ridge. The farm is a family-run operation rich in history and pride. Nursery farm tours are family friendly and offer visitors an up close and hands-on experience. Mill Ridge boards and raises Thoroughbreds.

During the tour, you will see horses of all ages, learn about breeding with broodmares and stallions, and meet horses in various life stages. Mares have foals at their side, while the oldest of the foals have started to be weaned. Groups of yearlings play together, and our stallion loves to meet tour groups. We welcome the opportunity to share the farm with you. Lexington, Kentucky, horse farm tours are scenic and interactive, with the chance to feed the horses over the fence carrots.

Interested in learning more about broodmares, foals, weanlings, and two-year old's? Want to see how they are raised for yourself? Schedule a tour of Mill Ridge Farm today through Visit Horse Country.