Visiting Kentucky? Don’t miss this Lexington, Kentucky Horse Farm Tour!
No trip to Kentucky is complete without a glass of bourbon, a plate of southern cooking (served with a glass of sweet tea), and a visit to an active thoroughbred farm. You may have seen these athletic animals in action, but did you know you can tour many working Kentucky horse farms just miles from one of the greatest race tracks in the world?
Summer is a great time to tour a horse farm in Kentucky. Mill Ridge Farm is an excellent place to see the ins and outs of raising and caring for thoroughbreds. The farm is picturesque, with herds of champion thoroughbreds grazing on rolling hills of famous Kentucky bluegrass.
Mill Ridge offers an up-close and interactive experience on their Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour.
Why You Should Choose Mill Ridge for Your Kentucky Horse Farm Tour
Mill Ridge is conveniently located near Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky, considered one of the greatest race tracks in the world. Founder Alice Headley Chandler is the daughter of Hal Price Headley, one of the founders and the first president of Keeneland.
Alice inherited the land that became Mill Ridge in 1962. She made history by being the first woman to breed an Epsom Derby winner sold at public auction (SIR IVOR) only six years later. Alice’s children were raised on the farm, becoming an integral part of its daily operations, as well as incredible horsemen on their own paths.
Mill Ridge has raised or sold 36 Grade I winners since 2000, including 7 Breeders’ Cup winners, 5 Horse of the Year Titleholders, and 1 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.
How to Sign Up
Mill Ridge tours must be booked in advance, online. You can view the options for Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tours at Mill Ridge Farm by clicking here.
Select one of the three tour options offered (group tour, private tour, or sunset wagon ride).
Enter the number of guests and the date for your tour.
Fill out the form with your name, phone number, email, and payment information.
Answer a few survey questions to help Mill Ridge understand your expectations and needs for the tour.
Read Terms & Conditions for COVID-19 precautions and Mill Ridge Farm’s waiver.
Book your Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour and get ready to meet some horses.
Cancellations for refunds or rescheduling tours require a 48 business hour notice. Tours are conducted rain or shine, but in the case of severe weather, the tour will be canceled and refunded or rescheduled.
Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to feed carrots to the horses over the fence!
Getting to the Farm and What to Expect When You Arrive
Mill Ridge is located at 2800 Bowman Mill Road Lexington, KY 40513.
Please note that the farm is only accessible by your personal vehicle. Taxis and other rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are not permitted.
Once you arrive, follow the signs toward the breeding shed, where your tour will begin. There is no need to stop at the office.
Most of the tour is outside so please wear comfortable and appropriate shoes.
No public restroom is available during the tour. Please plan accordingly.
Have your camera ready, and have fun.
Safety on the Farm
Mill Ridge offers an up-close and interactive experience on their Lexington, Kentucky horse farm tour. Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to feed carrots to the horses over the fence. (We provide the carrots.)
Believe it or not, these healthy, raw vegetables that you may beg your children to eat are some of the horses’ favorite treats. When feeding carrots to horses, offer the carrot on the flat palm of your open hand, keeping your fingers and thumb out of the way of the horses’ strong jaws and teeth. If you’re apprehensive or unsure of how to feed a carrot to a horse, Mill Ridge staff is happy to demonstrate for you.
What You Can Expect to See at the Farm
Horses! No Kentucky horse farm is complete without them, after all. Mill Ridge boards and raises Thoroughbreds and you will see horses of all colors and ages. Mares have foals at their side, while the oldest of the foals have started to be weaned. Groups of yearlings can be seen playing together and our stallion loves to meet tour groups.
Summer time in Kentucky also means bugs. You may see horses in fly masks to protect their eyes. Horses with light-colored coats are particularly sensitive to the sun and some fly masks offer UV protection to prevent sunburns. A small nick or cut can expose a horse to disease carried by insects. Fly masks are used to protect healing wounds at any time of the year. Don’t worry, horses can see through fly masks!
Fences are an iconic part of Kentucky horse farm scenery. Double fences at Mill Ridge farm allow horses to see each other and interact over the fence, but have enough distance to avoid fighting (or unintended pairings). They also protect horses from the busy traffic heading to Keeneland. If a horse jumps one fence, it will be contained for a bit by the other fence as staff regains control over the animal. Trees are also fenced, preventing the horses from stripping the bark and protecting the horses from any potentially harmful protrusions.
Facts About Racehorses
Female horses (referred to as fillies until they are 5, then referred to as mares) are generally ready to be bred around age 3. Male horses (referred to as colts until they are 5, then referred to as stallions) are considered sexually immature until they are 3, as well. If a male horse is castrated or neutered, it is then referred to as a gelding while a horse who is used for breeding purposes is called a stallion.
Did you know that every Thoroughbred in the Northern hemisphere has the same birthday? No matter what day a Thoroughbred is born, their birthday is considered January 1. In most of the Southern Hemisphere, their birthday is considered August 1, due to the seasons being inverse.
This rule was created to help track bloodlines. Races have limitations on the age of horses that can participate. For example, the Kentucky Derby is a race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Kentucky has a wide variety of things to do and beautiful places to see. We hope you and your family include a horse farm tour at Mill Ridge as a part of your plans. Our tours are unique and offer a close look at the breeding and raising of racehorses that people of all ages are sure to enjoy.
Have you ever fed a carrot to a thoroughbred broodmare or foal? Here’s your chance. We schedule group tours and private showings through Visit Horse Country. We’d love to see you at Mill Ridge Farm.