Beyond the Bourbon Trail: Visiting WinStar Farm in Kentucky Horse Country
One of my favorite stops during our Kentucky trip was WinStar Farm in Versailles. It was the perfect complement to our time exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and gave us an opportunity to experience another important part of Kentucky culture: Thoroughbred horse racing.
There is something special about driving through Kentucky horse country. The rolling green pastures, beautiful barns and miles of fencing create the kind of scenery that makes you want to slow down and take it all in. WinStar Farm offers visitors an inside look at the breeding, raising and care of some of the most successful Thoroughbreds in the racing industry.
The Story of WinStar Farm
WinStar Farm was founded in 2000 by friends and business partners Kenny Troutt and Bill Casner. What began as a 400-acre property, formerly known as Prestonwood Farm, has grown to more than 2,500 acres and is home to hundreds of horses.
The farm started with only four stallions, including a young and relatively unproven Distorted Humor. He later became one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred racing, helping establish WinStar as one of the leading breeding and racing operations in the country.
WinStar was also the majority owner in the partnership that raced Justify, the undefeated horse who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes to capture the Triple Crown in 2018.
That history is impressive, but the horses themselves were what made our visit so memorable.
Meeting the Horses
Every horse we met seemed to have a distinct personality. Some appeared regal and composed, while others were playful, curious and eager for attention.
We met several champion racehorses and stallions, but we also had the opportunity to spend time with a mare and her five-and-a-half-month-old foal. Getting close enough to love on a mama and her baby was one of those experiences that made the visit feel especially personal.
A few of the horses really stood out.
Life Is Good
Life Is Good is a four-time Grade 1 winner who won the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. He was every bit as impressive in person as his racing record would suggest.
Life is Good
Audible
Audible finished third in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, behind Justify and Good Magic. Seeing a horse that competed in one of the most famous races in the world was a special moment.
Audible
Promises Fulfilled
Promises Fulfilled may have been the class clown of the group.
He had so much personality and kept us entertained throughout our visit. He was a tremendously successful racehorse, winning five graded stakes races during his career, but it was his playful side that made him one of my favorites.
Promises Fulfilled
Ritmo
Then there was Ritmo.
Ritmo has an important, although perhaps underappreciated, job at the farm. Our guide explained that he serves as the resident “teaser” horse.
When a mare arrives for breeding, Ritmo is brought in to meet her first. His interaction with the mare helps the staff determine whether she is receptive and ready to be bred. Once Ritmo has completed his part of the process, he is led away and the selected stallion is brought in.
That may be more information about the horse-breeding process than you expected to learn today, but I felt Ritmo deserved a little recognition. He does the introductions, gets everyone ready and then has to leave before the actual date begins.
In my opinion, that deserves plenty of attention and extra treats. Fun fact: The treat our guide (Mary) was feeding them was peppermints. The horses LOVED them!
Ritmo
A Different Side of Kentucky
Our WinStar Farm visit was one of the highlights of the entire trip. We learned about Thoroughbred racing, toured a beautiful working horse farm and met horses with completely different personalities.
It also reminded me that a Kentucky Bourbon Trail trip does not have to be only about distilleries. Bourbon may be the reason many people first visit this area, but horse country, historic towns, local restaurants and scenic drives can turn it into a much more complete Kentucky experience.
WinStar Farm is an excellent addition to an itinerary that includes Versailles, Frankfort, Lexington or the surrounding Bourbon Trail. The farm offers several guided tour experiences that provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about its history, see the property and discover how champion Thoroughbreds are bred, raised and trained. Reservations should be made in advance because tour availability can be limited.
Whether you are a lifelong racing fan or simply love animals and beautiful places, WinStar Farm is well worth adding to your Kentucky itinerary.
A Kentucky getaway can be customized around your interests, whether that means visiting iconic distilleries, exploring horse country, touring Churchill Downs or combining a little bit of everything into one unforgettable trip.
About Melissa
I’m Melissa Ragazzi, an independent concierge travel advisor with Trey Tracy Travel LLC based in Madison, Mississippi. Through Wanders by Melissa, I help clients plan personalized vacations built around what they truly want to experience, from cruises and European adventures to Alaska, national parks, all-inclusive resorts, Disney and Universal vacations. I love visiting destinations firsthand, discovering the places that make a trip special and using those experiences to create thoughtful, customized itineraries for my clients.
Ready to start planning your own Kentucky adventure?
Melissa@wandersbymelissa.com | WANDERSBYMELISSA.COM | 601-540-7336
