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Woodford County proudly wears the title “Horse Capital of the World,” and a visit here feels like stepping into a living equine fairytale. With an impressive lineage boasting 23 Breeders’ Cup winners, 5 of the last 15 Kentucky Derby champions, and Triple Crown legends like Justify and American Pharoah standing at Ashford Stud, you’re walking through the legacy of champions.
Wake up early and feel the excitement on a guided farm tour with companies like Bluegrass Tours, Mashbill Market, or Stone Fences Tours. Watch Blackwood Stables’ team gently train thoroughbreds right on the track—there’s nothing like the rhythm of hooves at dawn. Later, visit iconic farms—Lane’s End Farm and WinStar display majestic stallions, while Sun Valley offers the enchantment of mares and newborn foals.
When afternoon arrives, one destination defines equine royalty: Ashford Stud, home to Triple Crown winners. Seeing champions like American Pharoah and Justify up close is a bucket-list moment for any horse lover. Along the way, pause for lunch at Wallace Station, a local gem nestled among rolling farmland and paddocks.
Beyond farm tours, immerse yourself in equine elegance at venues like The Kentucky Castle, which offers indoor arena rides and hands-on experiences with barn animals—a charming contrast to thoroughbred viewing.
For an experience that marries luxury with authenticity, opt for stays like Montgomery Inn BnB, which markets itself as the “Hub of the Wagon Wheel for all things Horse and Bourbon.” Other options like Horse Country Cottage keep you perfectly positioned near farms, shopping, dining, and the famed Keeneland track.
Whether you’re tracking champions across lush Bluegrass pastures, watching early morning workouts at storied training centers, or practicing your own riding at The Kentucky Castle, Woodford County delivers an immersive equestrian adventure. It’s more than a destination—it’s where the spirit of the thoroughbred comes to life.