The 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships are a celebration of the best in Thoroughbred racing, and there’s no better place to experience the event than Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World. From legendary champions and the farms that shaped their careers to the historic Keeneland racecourse and behind-the-scenes equine experiences, there are countless ways to experience the sport beyond race day. Discover the stories, places, and traditions that have have shaped Lexington’s legacy in Thoroughbred racing.
Meet the Champions
Sierra Leone
Pictured: Sierra Leone at Coolmore at Ashford Stud
Meet Sierra Leone, the son of 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Gun Runner, and a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner himself at three years old. Now standing at Coolmore America’s historic Ashford Stud, Sierra Leone carries his father’s legacy into a new generation. With roots stretching back to 1975, Coolmore has played a defining role in the global Thoroughbred industry.
White Abarrio
Pictured: White Abarrio in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic
Meet White Abarrio, the striking nearly white superstar who captured the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Born and raised at Spendthrift Farm, White Abarrio is a son of Tapit and grandson of Into Mischief. He and his famous goat companion Brownie now call Gainesway Farm home. Founded by John Gaines, the visionary behind the Breeders’ Cup, Gainesway has been home to many exceptional Thoroughbreds.
Flightline
Pictured: Flightline in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic
Meet Flightline, the undefeated superstar who captured the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic and cemented his place among the greatest racehorses of his generation. Flightline was the world’s highest-rated racehorse in 2022, winning his six career starts by a combined 71 lengths. His 8 1/4-length victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic remains the largest winning margin in the history of the race. Now standing at historic Lane’s End Farm, which famous Thoroughbreds have called home since the 19th Century.
Zenyatta
Pictured: Zenyatta at Lane's End Farm
Meet Zenyatta, the legendary “Queen of Racing” whose 19 victories from 20 starts made her one of the most beloved champions in Thoroughbred history. A Horse of the Year and the first, and only, mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Zenyatta has called Lane’s End Farm home since her retirement in 2010.
Authentic
Pictured: Authentic at Spendthrift Farm
Meet Authentic, the 2020 Horse of the Year who made history by winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same unforgettable season. Authentic capped his racing career with a record-setting Breeders’ Cup Classic victory at Keeneland before retiring to Spendthrift Farm.
Accelerate
Pictured: Accelerate at the Kentucky Horse Park
Meet Accelerate, the Kentucky-bred champion who ended an extraordinary 2018 season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. After his racing career, Accelerate stood as a stallion at Lane’s End Farm before retiring to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions, where he now calls home.
Gun Runner
Pictured: Gun Runner at Three Chimneys Farm
Meet Gun Runner, the 2017 Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame Champion who captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic before retiring to Three Chimneys Farm. After earning nearly $16 million during his racing career, Gun Runner has gone on to make his mark as a leading sire, with champions and Grade 1 Winners carrying his legacy into a new generation.
Blame
Pictured: Blame at Claiborne Farm
Meet Blame, the Claiborne Farm homebred who etched his name in racing history by defeating the undefeated Zenyatta in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Today, his legacy continues through his success as a sire at Claiborne Farm, the Birthplace of Champions.
Curlin
Pictured: Curlin at Hill 'n' Dale Farm
Meet Curlin, the two-time Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame champion who is known for his remarkable career. Now standing at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, Curlin has become a legendary sire in his own right, producing champions and carrying his extraordinary legacy into a new generation. Among his accomplished offspring is Golden Tempo, winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Tiznow
Pictured: Tiznow at WinStar Farm
Meet Tiznow, the legendary two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year who made history with back-to-back victories in America’s most prestigious championship race. Known as ‘America’s Horse’ for winning his second Breeders’ Cup Classic at Belmont Park in New York a few weeks after the 9/11 attacks, Tiznow is now retired at WinStar Farm, leaving his mark as an influential stallion.
Cody's Wish
Pictured: Cody's Wish at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm
Meet Cody’s Wish, the 2023 Horse of the Year and five-time Grade 1 winner whose remarkable story captured thousands of hearts. A son of Curlin and a two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Cody’s Wish formed a special bond with Cody Dorman, a young man with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome who first met the horse as a foal. Their unexpected connection became one of racing’s most unforgettable stories, making his 2023 Breeders’ Cup victory an especially meaningful moment for Cody and his family. Today, Cody’s Wish stands at Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, carrying his legacy into a new generation.
See Where Champions are Fed
Hallway Feeds
Pictured: Feed from Hallway Feeds
Discover Hallway Feeds, the only family-owned and operated feed company dedicated to the horse industry for more than 60 years. The local company has fueled Thoroughbred champions for decades and helped shape the industry’s best equine nutrition, feeding winners of more than 120 Breeders’ Cup races, including Flightline, Zenyatta, Cody’s Wish, and many more. Through Visit Horse Country, visitors can tour the facility, go behind the scenes of the manufacturing process, get hands-on with freshly made feed, and learn more about the champions Hallway Feeds has fueled over the years.
See Where Champions Retire
Old Friends Farm
Pictured: Old Friends Farm
Visit Old Friends Farm, where some of racing’s most celebrated athletes are enjoying a well-earned retirement and reminding us that a Thoroughbred’s story doesn’t end at the finish line. Among its Breeders’ Cup residents are Little Mike and two-time Turf Spring winner Stormy Liberal, while legendary horses like Silver Charm have made Old Friends a beloved home for racing’s retired stars.
Discover the Next Champion
Keeneland
Pictured: Keeneland Fall Meet
Home to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland is one of the most iconic racecourses in the world and a must-visit for racing fans. While the world’s top Thoroughbreds will take center stage during Breeders’ Cup week, you can experience Keeneland year-round through guided tours and morning workouts, when you can watch horses train on the track. Step behind the scenes, take in the historic grounds, and get a closer look at the traditions that make Keeneland a cornerstone of Lexington’s Thoroughbred culture.
Schedule Your Tour
Pictured: Horse farm tour at Spendthrift Farm
Visit Horse Country makes it easy to explore Lexington’s Thoroughbred industry, with a variety of guided experiences that offer behind-the-scenes access to renowned horse farms, adoption centers, veterinary clinics, and more. Some farms and facilities also offer tours directly through their own websites, giving you plenty of options to experience Lexington’s horse country up close.
