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No visit to the Bluegrass would be complete without a close encounter with the four-legged citizenry. That won't be difficult; even the police force in Lexington include horses. A mounted patrol serves the downtown business district.
The Virginia gentlemen farmers who settled the Bluegrass brought their love of fine horses with them. The first Thoroughbred was brought to Lexington in 1779, and within a year there was horse racing on Main Street. The 1789 census counted more horses than people.
Today, racing is safely confined to racetracks. The pastoral beauty of Keeneland Racecourse, 4201 Versailles Rs., is the setting for exciting Thoroughbred races in April and October. Standardbreds compete at the nation's oldest active trotting track, The Red Mile Harness Track, South Broadway at Red Mile Rd., late April through June, and in September and early October.
Horse sales in Lexington attract the rich and famous from around the world. Thoroughbreds are sold at Keeneland and at Fasig-Tipton of Kentucky. Tattersalls Horse Sale holds sales for Standardbreds, Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses.
The Bluegrass is also the world's most concentrated collection of horse farms. Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Arabians, Morgans and Saddlebreds are some of the breeds raised on the beautiful farms surrounding Lexington. If you decide to drive through "horse country," keep in mind that the farms are private property; unless otherwise noted they are closed to visitors. Exercise "horse sense" - don't pet or feed the horses or climb the fences. Drive carefully - some roads are narrow and you may encounter slowmoving farm machinery.
An orgainzation called the Lexington-Frankfort Scenic Corridor has created several roadside parking areas to make horse-farm viewing easier. Otherwise visitors are asked to stay in their cars and on the road.
One of the best ways to see horses up close in Lexington is through one of our local tour operators. Contact Visitor Center 800-845-3959 or (859) 233-1221.
The Kentucky Horse Park, located at 4089 Iron Works Pike, north of downtown Lexington, is the world's first park devoted exclusively to horses and features films, a museum, walking farm tour, horsedrawn tour, racing trophies exhibit, and, spring through fall, a daily Parade of Breeds. Admission charged. Also on the park grounds are the American Saddle Horse Museum and Hall of Fame. The park hosts many events and horse shows; call (859) 233-4303 for a current schedule.
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