The hills of Horse Country are chalk full of fast horses, beautiful landscapes, legendary stud farms and maybe a bourbon distillery or two. Dr. Cynthia Bohn, owner of Equus Run winery and vineyard in Midway, is well-versed in the beauty of Horse Country. Here, she takes us through a few of her favorite sites.
“In Lexington, I can visit over 200 horse farms within a 10-mile radius, and experience our scenic gem of racing, Keeneland Race Course.”
—Dr. Cynthia Bohn
Horse Farm Tours
Some of the most legendary racehorses of our day reside in the horse farms surrounding Lexington. “Zenyatta, a racehorse that captured the hearts of racing fans with her infectious personality, resides at Lane’s End Farm,” says Cynthia, “and American Pharaoh is the star of horse racing and lives at Coolmore.” Celebrity horses like these are often difficult to track down for a photo op, but we recommend booking a tour at Coolmore for the chance to spot American Pharaoh. visitlex.com/Horse-Farm-Tours
Horse Country Drives
Take a drive out just about any direction from downtown Lexington and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by grazing Thoroughbreds and black and white rambling fences. “The idyllic Bluegrass horse farms and picturesque landscapes act as Lexington’s ‘ocean front’ properties, with Keeneland as our boardwalk entry into paradise,” Cynthia says. visitlex.com
Bourbon Distilleries
There are 9 bourbon distilleries nestled within the rolling hills of Horse Country just 35 minutes from downtown Lexington. Cynthia is partial to Woodford Reserve. “It’s nestled in the scenic landscape of the Bluegrass region and produces world-class bourbon.” visitlex.com/bourbon
The Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway
Whether you’re a true equestrian or just an admirer of the horse, the Kentucky Horse Park has something for just about everyone. “Have your picture taken with the Man o’ War statue and tour the facility to see the many different horse breeds,” says Cynthia, “or, take a picnic and enjoy a day in the Bluegrass!” kyhorsepark.com
