It’s Derby Season
It’s Derby season in Kentucky and with summer slowly approaching, we couldn’t help but plan a long weekend getaway to visit! Kentucky is packed with historic riches. From beautiful stables to historical horse racing! Our weekend here was spent with our family, enjoying the culture, food, stay, and horse races. We began our road trip from Michigan to Kentucky and in no time we arrived at our lovely Airbnb. The lodging experience could not have been better! We stayed in a beautiful location nearby all of the places we had planned to visit. Although, we arrived before sunrise, we had a few hours to rest before our day began.
With the official start to day one in Kentucky, we made our way down to Keeneland. It is a National Historic Landmark that is known for its beautiful landscaped grounds that are open to the public every day. Keeneland is known for its spectacular horse racing and hosting their horse sales. When visiting, you are able to take a tour of the beautiful property, enjoy the antique shop, stroll through the library, plan out a day at the races, or enjoy getting to see the horses up close! We were able to witness Keeneland’s timeless beauty when spending a day on the property. As the races and horse showings were approaching on the schedule, the excitement began to multiply between my family. Our daughter Maria, who is extremely passionate about horses and Kentucky’s horse racing, was beaming with excitement! The day was spent watching races/horses as they passed by in the auction. With such a busy day, we spent time unwinding at night as a family and planning out our next day.
The second day consisted of a day spent at the world’s most legendary race track, Churchill Downs. It is known as the home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs Racetrack holds thoroughbred horse racing in Louisville, Kentucky in the spring, summer, and fall. The racetrack consists of 147 acres, hosting a one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven furlong turf race course. Churchill Downs houses about 1,400 horses each year in their backside barn! Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks have run continuously at Churchill Downs race ground since 1875. To add to history, it also hosted the Breeders’ cup world championship eight times! This particular property has been running for many years, and so they have done three massive renovations. Churchill Downs has maintained a classic, clean, and historic feel to it and is still standing as a world renown racetrack.
We were able to witness the first race of the season together as a family. Our children had been hard at work in calling the shots on which horse would take the lead! Both of our children studied the horse pedigree and history of each horse that participated in the race. Our children, Philip and Maria, had been correct in which horses would be in the lead! As the night went on, it was hard to keep any of us in our seats! The night on the tracks drew to a close late at night and once the races were finished, we made our way back looking through the photos of the great moments captured that day.
Our Sunday was a relaxing and quiet day. Apart from the racetracks, we spent time as a family outside in the warm weather visiting small nearby villages. Learning about the history and architecture of each village was the perfect way to spend time together after two very busy days on the racetracks. We had some wholesome meals and enjoyed window shopping as we went from antique shops to different cafes. In the evening, our time was spent reading through the scriptures and singing songs of worship. Wrapping up our night with homemade crepes and milk!
We had made our way to the Claiborne farms. It was the perfect way to wrap up our adventures in Kentucky. As we took a tour around the farm, we dove into the history this farm held. There have been many exceptional thoroughbreds associated with Claiborne. Horses who were raised on Claiborne soil were also known to be racetrack legends. Stallions called Claiborne their home as they made their historic impact on the breed. These thoroughbreds have made Claiborne farm iconic for what it is today.
This farm is a family owned farm and has been passed down to the fourth generation of the Hancock family. A remarkable property spreading over 3,000 acres wide. Claiborne is the only farm that still remains in the hands of its founding family! The proud family has held onto its roots while also keeping the integrity and best interest of each horse in mind. We also were able to pass through the cemetery and pay tribute to the horses either born and raised on the farm, or those brought in later. The history of the North American thoroughbred remains in the stones that officially mark each burial place.
All in all, our final day was memorable. We were able to learn a lot about the history of the horses placed at Claiborne farm, the Hancock family, and the legacy it holds up until today.
