Lexington, Kentucky Horse Farm Tours are Hands-On and Rooted in History at Mill Ridge

The dog days of summer are behind us, but there’s plenty of time left in the season for an equestrian exploration at a Kentucky horse farm. Pack your bags and head to Lexington—a walkable destination well known for its vibrant downtown, delicious restaurants, and a wonderful summertime farmer’s market. Quench your thirst along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and learn about the traditions surrounding the storied Bourbon industry. Or venture just outside the city to experience the rich history of Kentucky horse farms, including Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland, The Red Mile, and Mill Ridge Farm.

The Perfect Addition to Any Itinerary

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve lived here your entire life, Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tours aren’t just for horse lovers—they’re a memorable addition to any celebration. Birthdays, anniversaries, Tuesdays. There's always a reason to reconnect with Mother Nature and everything she offers. 

Imagine a cool, late summer morning. Colts and fillies gallop across the fields. The beauty of the rolling hills surrounds you and your family, connecting you to the land, which has been in the Mill Ridge family since 1880.

Or picture this—your closest guy friends gather together for a bachelor party like no other, beginning with a Lexington Kentucky horse farm tour, followed by a day at the track once racing starts in October. 

Rally your besties for a ladies’ day out with a Kentucky horse farm tour fit for the queens you are. After all, even Her Majesty, the Queen of England, visited Mill Ridge several times and sent five mares to be bred at the nursery because she respected the speed and durability of American stallions.

From families and children to couples and large groups, thousands of visitors flock to Mill Ridge each year to experience the magic of this welcoming place.

What You’ll Experience on a Tour of Mill Ridge

Engage every sense during a visit to historical Mill Ridge. At this working Kentucky horse farm, hear the whinnies of mares and foals as you learn what it takes to own and operate a thriving Thoroughbred racehorse nursery. Get hands-on experience during this Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour. We allow and encourage our tour guests to interact with our horses—an additional level of socialization with people that isn't available at all Kentucky horse farms.

Inhale the natural scents wafting from the horse barns, which you’ll soon discover have different uses based on horses’ ages and genders. There are even barns dedicated to housing pregnant mares. Look closely to see if you can spot the Mill Ridge barn cats lurking about. These semi-feral felines help with rodent control and create a balanced ecosystem within these outdoor structures.

Take in the beautiful landscape architecture of the farm. At almost 900 acres, Mill Ridge was designed with the beauty of the land in mind and features native plants like bluegrass and orchard grass. Run your fingers along the well-cared-for coats of the Thoroughbreds, as you hand them some carrots, satisfying their taste buds instead of your own as their lips graze your hand like a kiss.

One visit is all it takes to discover that Mill Ridge is so much more than a Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour. It’s an immersive experience that connects you to a wealth of wisdom from six generations of horsemen and women. It’s an opportunity to witness the honing of finely tuned athletes, as a team of specialists helps each horse fulfill its potential and bring out its competitive drive, trainability, athleticism, and intelligence. What an amazing gift to give yourself, your family, and your friends!

What You’ll Learn on a Lexington, Kentucky Horse Farm Tour 

Expect to leave any Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour with more than a few facts. The Mill Ridge tour guides are especially knowledgeable, offering deep insight into the farm, the land, the horse racing industry, and horses in general. They'll introduce you to the two stallions, OSCAR PERFORMANCE and ALOHA WEST, who currently stand stud at Mill Ridge. These stallions have captured the titles of 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Champion and 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Champion respectively. While you can’t get an autograph, you can certainly snap a photo of these decorated “influencers” of the racetrack.

Mill Ridge is a family farm, so while on tour you may run into the actual family who owns and operates this beautiful Thoroughbred nursery and boarding facility. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of General Manager, Price Bell. It was his great-grandfather, Hal Price Headley, who was the original president of Keeneland Racetrack from 1936-1951. Headley was instrumental in bringing horse racing to Kentucky and for sports betting fans, getting betting legalized in the state. The generational line continues with his grandson, Headley Bell, Managing Partner of Mill Ridge and the primary bloodstock agent for the farm’s selling arm, Nicoma Bloodstock. As you walk the grounds, one thing is certain. The Mill Ridge motto, “Take care of the horses, and they will take care of you,” isn’t just a statement—it’s a way of life for everyone who works on the farm. Grooms handle the daily care of each horse. Farriers maintain their hoof health. Chiropractors keep the joints of the horses properly aligned. Every person is dedicated to a singular purpose, creating a palpable culture of care and excellence that permeates the atmosphere.

What’s Next After a Horse Farm Tour?

Because no two tours are ever the same, consider returning to Mill Ridge soon. The sights and sounds change with the seasons. Depending on your travel companions, the experience will change too. If you brought the whole family, next time plan for a delightful couple’s day date at Keeneland for the fall meet in October. When you know you have visiting guests, add a Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour to your itinerary. And of course, anytime you're tasked with entertaining little ones, Mill Ridge is a go-to spot for instant outdoor fun. Children love petting and feeding the colts and fillies.

Perhaps your visit sparked a curiosity for investing in and owning racehorses. If you want to learn more about potentially buying a Thoroughbred for yourself, it’s about more than just dollars and cents—and it starts with doing in-depth research. Whether you aim to win a few races or develop a Thoroughbred horse portfolio, your goals will determine the path you take.

If you’ve already acquired horses and need more information about boarding them, the farm’s traditions and time-honored methods—known as “The Mill Ridge Way”—set the Thoroughbred nursery apart from other facilities. From the groundskeepers and trainers to the administrators and veterinary staff, every person on the Mill Ridge team is dedicated to cultivating the perfect environment for racehorses to develop their full potential. 

A Kentucky horse farm tour can ignite a deeper interest in this fascinating sport and industry. The history, romance, and excitement of racing horses continue to draw new enthusiasts in, from the curious to the casual to the committed. Join Mill Ridge's newsletter for updates and insights into Kentucky Horse Country, Thoroughbred racing, news from the track, and more. 

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