Sometimes I find myself on
Google Maps, using Street View to drive along the roads in central Kentucky. I
pretend I’m there – in the Bluegrass, watching as the regal Thoroughbred farms
and picturesque wooden fences roll by. Occasionally, I’ll catch sight of a
beautiful Thoroughbred – perhaps a broodmare, maybe a foal or yearling. Of
course, it is nothing like actually being in the Lexington, Kentucky area, but
it allows me to imagine myself there.
But for six days, I didn’t have to imagine it. There I was, in the horse
capital of the world, riveted yet again by the abundance of Thoroughbred farms
nestled in the green, rolling hills of central Kentucky. Overwhelmed in the
best way by the beauty of the land, the splendor of the horses, and the
hospitality of the people, those six days can only be defined by one word:
bliss.
Along with my parents, I made my fourth trip to the bluegrass – and my first
when the grass was actually green (er, blue). Central Kentucky had just
experienced two consecutive weeks of rain, leaving the grass vivid. But during
the days I spent there, the only rain that fell was at the very beginning and
end of our trip and the days were spent beneath the warm, bright July sun with sometimes
suffocating humidity. However, that didn’t matter much. Not when I was in the
place I always dream of being in.
I will write more extensively about certain parts of my trip in future
articles, both on here and on my Horse Racing Nation blog, but in the meantime, please enjoy the 51 photos (all by my mom, Terri Cage) below,
along with descriptions of the various places I visited in central Kentucky.
WINSTAR
FARM
My time in Kentucky began with a visit to WinStar Farm. Thanks to Well Armed's owner, Bill Casner, and the broodmare
manager of WinStar, Kieran Lalor, I was able to see nearly the whole farm and
meet Well Armed’s “family” – his sire, two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI)
winner Tiznow; his dam, Well
Dressed; and his full brother of 2013. These three horses were just few of many
spectacular Thoroughbreds I saw at the farm, which – combined with the
impressiveness of the farm itself – made the visit to WinStar one of the
standouts of my trip.
 |
The view from the top of a barn at WinStar Farm
Photo by Terri Cage |
FASIG-TIPTON
JULY SALE
Leading up to this trip, I eagerly anticipated the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Having a great interest in the sales
industry, I was enthusiastic about finally attending my first sale where I
would both evaluate horses and watch them sell. The day before the first
yearling auction of the year, I roamed the barns of Fasig-Tipton’s Newtown
Paddocks, analyzing dozens of yearlings by studying their conformation and
walk. Viewing several nice horses from some of the nation’s best consignors was
an incredible learning experience.
The next day, I finally attended a sale, where I alternated between two
locations to see the yearlings and happenings of the sale up close: the
auditorium – where I could see the horse in the sales ring and watch the
bidding– and the back ring – where yearlings pranced by me just inches away so
I could get last-minute impressions of them. Altogether, it was a very unique,
educational experience.
 |
Evaluating a yearling the day prior to the sale
Photo by Terri Cage |
 |
Hip 51, who topped the sale at $460,000, was one of my selections
Photo by Terri Cage |
 |
Hip 58, one of my selections, in the back ring before selling
Photo by Terri Cage |
 |
Hip 4, one of my selections, in the sales ring
Photo by Terri Cage |
SPENDTHRIFT
FARM
After assessing horses on the day prior to the sale, I stopped by the open
house Spendthrift Farm was holding, where I not only finally met a “racing friend”
of mine in person, but was also able to view numerous quality stallions,
including leading sire Malibu Moon, as well as Awesome Patriot, Line of David,
Paddy O’ Prado, Tizway, Tiz Wonderful, Warrior’s Reward, and Wilburn.
KENTUCKY
HORSE PARK
Maintaining a tradition, we visited the Kentucky Horse Park, where we stopped
by to see Cigar, Funny Cide, and Go
for Gin. In addition to seeing these champions, we strolled around the park,
seeing an assortment of breeds along the way, and visited the International
Museum of the Horse.
 |
Man O' War's grave at the Kentucky Horse Park
Photo by Terri Cage |
TIMBER
TOWN STABLE
Another standout of the trip was
a visit to Timber Town Stable, where the single barn we visited – a small
broodmare barn – housed several quality mares, including three whose combined
value is nearly $18 million. Those mares were 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de
Grace (who sold for $10 million at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton November Sale), 2011
Kentucky Oaks (GI) victress Plum Pretty (who topped the 2012 Keeneland November
Breeding Stock Sale at $4.2 million), and Cry and Catch Me (who sold for $3.5
million at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton November Sale). Among the other mares in the
barn was Bethany – the dam of the multiple grade one-winning Tizway – and her
2013 foal.
The assistant broodmare manager of the farm brought out Plum Pretty and Havre
de Grace for us, allowing us to take pictures of and visit the mares. Both were
incredibly sweet and although we were told Havre de Grace could be
cantankerous, she was on her best behavior and showed not even the slightest
indication of irritability. After spending several minutes admiring and loving
on the mares, we watched as they were turned out in a paddock together, gazing
at the sights around them. It was an amazing moment watching these two fine
mares together.
 |
Havre de Grace (left) and Plum Pretty (right) headed to their paddock
Photo by Terri Cage |
THREE
CHIMNEYS FARM
A visit to Three Chimneys Farm allowed me to finally meet Jen Roytz, the
marketing and communications director for the farm. Taking us on a tour of the
farm, Jen allowed us to see several stallions in their paddocks, visit mares
and foals on the broodmare division, and drive around the yearling division as
she shared stories with us about horses on the farm. Being able to meet several
special horses – including a mare that survived a barn fire and a nurse mare
foal that is more like a dog than a horse – was a terrific experience in and of
itself, but most of all, my parents and I were amazed by Jen’s kindness. Thank
you for showing us around the farm and sharing stories with us, Jen!
HILL
‘N’ DALE
Awestruck by the beauty of Hill
‘n’ Dale’s stallion barn, I was able to view three of the farm’s stallions:
Stormy Atlantic, Misremembered, and Harlington. But perhaps the most special
component of this visit was seeing the grave of Triple Crown winner Seattle
Slew, which – like the rest of the farm – was incredibly elegant.
CRESTWOOD
On the same farm on which my Miss Fifty was born and raised, I was
able to see several stallions, including Country Day, Get Stormy, and
Tizdejavu. The latter – a horse with remarkable conformation – and the multiple
grade one-winning Get Stormy were both absolutely stunning in person.
HOLLY OAK FARM
Early last year, I met a horse
named Spanky (who is registered with the Jockey Club as Make Me Laugh) at Remember Me Rescue. Among several
horses rescued from a farm in Many, Louisiana on which an abundance of
Thoroughbreds were starved and neglected, Spanky was adopted by Elizabeth and
Dietrich Felgendreher of Holly Oak Farm in central Kentucky. Tagging along with
my mom for a photo shoot at the farm while we were in Kentucky, I was stunned
to see the transformation in Spanky. The last time I had seen him, the young Thoroughbred
had been lethargic and underweight and had the worst case of rain rot I’d ever
seen. But now, his coat glimmered with a hint of gold and his energy reflected
his happiness. It was incredibly touching to see the change in him.
CLAIBORNE
FARM
Each time I visit Claiborne
Farm, I feel like I’m stepping into history. These are the grounds that have
once been home to a plethora of all-time greats, including Bold Ruler, Mr.
Prospector, Round Table, Ruffian, and Secretariat. The farm remains home to
top-class Thoroughbreds, including Algorithms, Arch, Blame, Flatter, Seeking
the Gold, and War Front. It was a pleasure to see each of these stallions prior
to visiting the stallion cemetery, where the great Secretariat and one of my personal favorites, Swale, are buried.
ADENA
SPRINGS
There is something special
about meeting a Kentucky Derby winner and although I have seen numerous Derby
winners before, it is always a special moment to actually touch a horse that
wore the garland of roses. At the beautiful Adena Springs, I had that
opportunity when I met Giacomo – longshot winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby and
a horse with a great personality. At Adena Springs, we were also able to see
spectacular sire Awesome Again, as well as his Hall of Fame son Ghostzapper and the versatile Einstein.
DENALI
STUD
On the same farm on which Animal Kingdom was born and raised
resides a royal Thoroughbred family: Serena’s Song and two of her daughters, Night and Day and Pure Symmetry. After
seeing the Hall of Fame mare’s daughters, we were able to visit with Serena’s
Song and feed her peppermints – her favorite treat. A mare I have great respect
for due to her astounding success on the track and as a broodmare, it was an honor
to meet Serena’s Song.
DARLEY AT JONABELL FARM
Due to the farm’s entire
stallion roster being in quarantine in preparation for shuttling to the
Southern Hemisphere, the only stallions we had the chance to see at Darley was
a trio of pensioned stallions: Cherokee Run, Holy Bull, and Quiet American.
Nonetheless, we were able to enjoy the grandeur of the farm, which includes the
gravesite of Triple Crown winner Affirmed.
GAINESWAY
FARM
Home to some of the most elite
stallions in the Thoroughbred industry, Gainesway Farm is also a certified
arboretum, boasting gorgeous gardens and landscaping. Arriving at the stallion barns,
we read the names of famed Gainesway stallions along a long, unique fountain
prior to viewing multiple stallions, including one of the top sires in the
nation, Tapit, and one of my personal favorites, Afleet Alex. Strolling through the stallion barns, we were left in
awe of the unique architecture and the impeccable care the stallions receive.
OLD
FRIENDS
One of the most unique farms in
central Kentucky, Old Friends houses dozens of ex-racehorses – some champions
and some that weren’t so successful. Each of them has their own personality and
as a big supporter of the aftercare of these amazing athletes, I just had to
make my second visit to Old Friends. The best part of going to the farm again?
Seeing my “old friend” Flick, a
British-bred stakes winner who was glad to receive several peppermints from me.
 |
Sunshine Forever (always with his tongue out)
Photo by Terri Cage |
KEENELAND
The three mornings we spent at
Keeneland Race Course observing morning workouts were magical. Standing along
the rail for hours as Thoroughbreds exercised on the track, I was blown away by
the beauty of Keeneland and, of course, mesmerized by the horses. Since the
news that reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan had left Keeneland for Saratoga had not yet been released, my parents
and I went on a wild good chase looking for him, analyzing each chestnut
Charlie Lopresti trainee that passed by on the track, hoping it was Wise Dan. We
finally thought we found him until, upon further review of a photograph my mom
took, I identified the chestnut as Villandry. Although the search for Wise Dan was
unsuccessful, it was worth it, as I later met Villandry at the barn. As sweet
as he was beautiful, meeting Villandry was the perfect end to my time at
Keeneland.
 |
Villandry working at Keeneland
Photo by Terri Cage |
The day we left arrived much too quickly and despite waking up before the sun, I stayed
awake to catch my final glimpses of the beautiful farms and Keeneland before
dozing off. Although I was sad to leave the bluegrass, I will forever cherish
the memories my time there has granted me with – the memories made
unforgettable thanks to the incredible horses, stunning landscape, and kind
people. I hope to see you again soon, Kentucky.
