Cats of the Bluegrass

Love furry feline friends as much as we do? Read on for Cats of the Bluegrass! This series will get you up close and puuurrsonal to working cats at premier horse farms and famous bourbon distilleries across the Bluegrass Region.

Bruce | Lane's End Farm

Bruce, best known for his grumpy faces, has held the position of Head Supervisor for two years, keeping up with his mice catching quotas and overseeing barn tours. When he's not in his favorite lounge chair, you can usually find him following along on a group tour—or snacking.

Tipsy | Bluegrass Distillers

Tipsy is the mascot of Bluegrass Distillers (she even has her own official stickers you can buy). Despite being hired to rid the facility of rodents, Tipsy seemingly has other priorities than mice catching. These include following people on shift for attention, sleeping on keyboards, adventuring outside, and climbing barrels. Her co-workers say her lack of mice catching is one of her red flags along with being “two-faced” in her attempts for attention.

Even with her red flags, you can win this sassy feline's heart through rubber bands and scratches under the chin. You can visit Tipsy at Bluegrass Distillers anytime during their hours: 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday or 12pm-4pm on Sunday.

Rick-Key | Castle & Key

Rick-Key was born in Paris, Kentucky, and is 11 years old. He was adopted from the Paris Animal Welfare Society (Paws) in 2016. Initially, he was hired to be the property mouser, but he preferred the lavish life. He is now holds the title of Castle & Key Cat Ambassador.

Rick-Key can usually be found hiding under the office stairs, which allows him to keep an eye on everyone and is intentionally placed for high foot traffic (which equals lots of attention). He likes pets under his chin, lower back, and tummy, and enjoys sleeping, eating, snuggling, sunbathing, chatting with guests, jumping on zoom calls, and playing with his toys.

Peaches | Harkness Edwards Vineyards

Peaches (her exact age is unknown, but is likely around 5 years old) appeared at Harkeness Edwards Vineyards just under 4 years ago. She was very small, skinny and skittish but quickly warmed up to staff. It was written in the stars for Peaches to find her home at The Peach House. 

Described as sweet, sassy, and friendly, her main job is Door Greeter; she welcomes guests and shows them where to go for tastings. Peaches' hobbies include watching people drink wine (she loves people watching), zoomies (almost every day she gets a burst of excitement and dashes with turbo speed through the house or up a tree), and long conversations (she’s a very vocal kitty, if you speak to her she will talk right back). Peaches just wants to love and be loved, it's that simple. We could learn a thing or two from Peaches’ way of life.

Interesting Fact: If you can lock eyes with Peaches for a solid 60 seconds you can see into the universe and discover the meaning of life’s existence. 

Hank | Masterson Station Park

Hank is 5 years old and his occupation is overseeing kid activities at the park. Hank was found at a doorstep one rainy day and was raised in the Masterson Station Park riding barns. One word that describes him best is personable, as he never bites and does not mind being petted or picked up. Parents have offered hundreds of dollars in attempt to adopt Hank (an insight to his popularity with guests), but he is a permanent resident of MSP and the most important member of the staff! Hank’s hobbies include watching children and their activities (he has a fondness for hanging with kids), loves playing with yarn/string, and is adamant about keeping rodents out of the barns (he does not let a single one out of his sight).

Described as the most perfect cat, keeping mice out, and being a loving, calm, personable cat, Hank has won the hearts of many at MSP and continues to be a key role in the riding barns popularity. 

Interesting fact: Hank likes befriending the horses and is not scared of getting up close and personal with them. The staff say it helps the horses be clam and comfortable with smaller animals and their surroundings—which helps their temperament during rides and interactions with children. 

Winx and Ninja | Secretariat Center

Winx (9 years old) and Ninja (2 years old) are both mice wranglers at the Secretariat Center, an adoption center for former racehorses located in the Kentucky Horse Park here in Lexington, Kentucky. Winx, who came to the center from the Working Cat Project, holds the title of supervisor and loves a good back scratch. Ninja, who was a gift from a neighbor, likes napping/hiding on the jump wagon and enjoys head scratches. 

Winx's hobbies include startling horses, ambushing, and can typically be found in the tack room, while Ninja gives “gifts,” steals croissants, likes to cuddle, and can typically be found nowhere.

Red flags: Winx—makes biscuits on you (more of a beige flag); Ninja—brings you dead “gifts”

Interesting fact: Winx and Ninja are named after horses that have been at the barn, Ninja after Nijinsky and Winx after Most Winningest in Australia. Ninja also helps train the horses. Winx will hide behind you and when you trip on her, she will fake injuries. 

Tiger and Lily | Spendthrift Farm

Meet Tiger and Lily, Spendthrift's marvelous mouse patrol! These one-year-old feline wonders are the cat-lete champions of Spendthrift Farm. 

Born in the foaling barn around the arrival of the farm's first 2023 foal, Tiger and Lily have been on the job since day one. When not on mouse duty, Tiger and Lily love to spice up tour activities, play with their best buds (Momaria and Catching Diamonds), and steal the spotlight as the barn's favorite celebrities. Their preferred nap spots include the hay loft and barn office.

The best part of this dynamic duo – they'll find you before you find them! With a flair for greeting visitors, they're the first to meet you at the barn doors when they sense cars and people approaching.

Red Flags: Their big egos, but who can blame them? They know they're the real VIPs.

When you visit, don't miss the chance to say hello to Tiger and Lily – they absolutely adore it. These felines are the heart and soul of Spendthrift Farm, bringing laughter and warmth to all who cross their path.

Nacho and Blue | Denali Stud

Meet Nacho and Blue, both resident cats at Denali Stud. 

Nacho is 1.5-year-old feline hailing from LEX. Renowned as a mouser extraordinaire and a beacon of comedic relief + moral support within the foaling barn, Nacho's presence is marked by his fondness for head scratches and neck rubs. Often found nestled in favored drain pipes or snuggled in tack room blankets, Nacho enjoys observing farm activities from the comfort of spruce trees and occasionally startling passersby from stall corners. Despite his claustrophobia, Nacho's playful and free-spirited demeanor brings a calming influence, reducing stress levels, and effectively keeping the mouse population in check. Nacho is an avid tree climber with a particular affinity for dog Milk Bones.

Blue, a 6-year-old cat, is the charismatic foreman of the filly barn, Blue's expertise in mouse-catching and his penchant for napping on bandages in the tack room are well-known. Despite his aversion to dogs, Blue's presence ensures smooth operations within the filly barn, maintaining a pest-free environment while enjoying affectionate scratches between his ears and atop his head. With hobbies ranging from watching yearlings perform morning exercises to fence walking and assisting with their barn entries, Blue's sporadically energetic nature and champion sleeping abilities add layers to his farm life narrative. 

Together, Nacho and Blue welcome all to Denali Stud. Be sure to give them head scratches and say hello when you are there for a tour!

Taz | Kentucky Horse Park

Introducing one of many Feline Stars of the Kentucky Horse Park!

Meet Taz, the enigmatic barn supervisor and part-time mouser. Taz, a charming feline estimated to be around 9-10 years old, has made Kentucky Horse Park his home. Found as a stray, Taz's knack for catching mice quickly endeared him to the staff. His favorite hangout? The tack room, of course, where the food is aplenty. Taz adores attention and happily accepts pets all over, especially on his head and back. With hobbies ranging from vocalizing to chasing random critters, Taz adds a lively touch to the park. But he's been known to get "stuck" in haylofts, demanding rescue with dramatic meows!

Stay tuned for our next Cats of the Bluegrass feature... coming July 2024.