Spring in Kentucky is a magical time when the rolling bluegrass countryside comes alive with blooming dogwoods, foaling season on horse farms, and the excitement of thoroughbred racing.
For our guests at Chateau Bourbon, the coming weeks offer the perfect opportunity to immerse yourselves in what makes the Bluegrass State truly special – our magnificent horse farms, world-class bourbon, and exceptional farm-to-table dining.
Horse Country: Tours That Bring You Closer to Champions
Kentucky is home to some of the world’s most prestigious horse farms – and spring is the perfect time to visit. The farms open their gates each spring, allowing visitors a rare glimpse into the world of thoroughbred breeding and training.
Through our partnership with Visit Horse Country, we can help recommend the perfect tour for you among many iconic locations. Here are just a few of our favorites:
WinStar Farm: Located in Versailles, WinStar offers an immersive two-hour experience where you’ll first meet their all-star roster of stallions in a state-of-the-art facility. Afterward, you’ll board an electric shuttle to explore the rest of this breathtaking property and perhaps catch sight of mares and foals enjoying the spring sunshine! This farm is just a short drive from Woodford Reserve Distillery, making it an ideal pairing for a day of equine and bourbon experiences. Woodford is an iconic, picturesque distillery right in the heart of Horse Country! Plan lunch at The Stave and you’ll have the perfect trifecta of a day!
Lane’s End Farm: Known for its elite thoroughbred breeding operations, Lane’s End provides their popular Shuttle Experience where you can meet famed stallions like Union Rags (Belmont Stakes winner) while learning about their history and success. Their tour includes a shuttle ride to see mares, foals, and yearlings in their natural setting. Pair this visit with a trip to the gorgeous, historic distillery Castle & Key and the farm distillery, Whiskey Thief, for a unique, craft tasting experience.
Hermitage Farm: Just 15 minutes from Chateau Bourbon, Hermitage Farm provides a fascinating look at both thoroughbred and sport horse operations. Their tours highlight the farm’s rich history and its role in Kentucky’s equine heritage. Once visited by Queen Elizabeth II, this historic thoroughbred operation provides tours where you can explore the stories of the people who built this thriving horse-breeding operation. The farm offers tours from March through October, making it a convenient and fascinating stop for our guests. And you MUST dine here, too – see below!
Churchill Downs & Keeneland: Spring Racing at Its Best
Springtime in Kentucky also means it’s racing season at two of the most iconic tracks in the world—Keeneland Racecourse and Churchill Downs.
Keeneland Spring Meet
Keeneland’s Spring Meet runs from April 4 through April 25, with races held Wednesday through Sunday each week (no racing on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Easter Sunday). The meet features 19 stakes races with record-breaking purses totaling $9.4 million. One of the highlights is the Blue Grass Stakes on April 5, a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby that draws top three-year-olds aiming for glory.
Keeneland offers an unmatched racing experience with its picturesque setting and historic charm. Be sure to secure your tickets in advance as demand is high during this popular season.
Churchill Downs Spring Meet
The action continues at Churchill Downs starting April 26, culminating in the world-famous Kentucky Derby on May 3. Known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the Derby is a spectacle of fashion, tradition, and elite racing. The week leading up to the Derby includes events like Thurby (Thursday before Derby Day) and Oaks Day, which celebrates three-year-old fillies with a $1.5 million purse.
For those visiting outside Derby Week, Churchill Downs hosts live racing throughout its Spring Meet until late June. Twilight Thursdays are a local favorite, featuring evening races, live music, food trucks, and drink specials.
Bourbon & Dining in Horse Country
Barn8 Restaurant: A Culinary Gem on Horse Country
After a day at the track or touring horse farms, treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience at Barn8 Restaurant, located on Hermitage Farm – and just 15 minutes from our doorstep at Chateau Bourbon. This innovative farm-to-table restaurant offers a fresh approach to dining, focusing on sustainable ingredients harvested from their on-site gardens, three-tier climate-controlled greenhouse, and neighboring farms.
What makes Barn8 truly special is its setting – housed in a converted horse barn where you can even reserve a table in one of the semi-private horse stalls for a truly unique dining experience.Their culinary team incorporates natural foraged ingredients found throughout Hermitage Farm’s 683 acres, creating seasonal menus that showcase the best of Kentucky’s bounty.
For those visiting in the coming weeks, Barn8 is hosting special events including their Easter Brunch on April 20th, an Earth Day celebration with writer and environmental activist Silas House on April 26th, and the prestigious Hermitage Farm Derby Brunch on May 3rd.
The Perfect Pairing: Horse Farms and Bourbon
One of the best things about Kentucky is how seamlessly its equine heritage blends with its bourbon culture. Many horse farms are located near distilleries, making it easy to plan a day that combines both experiences.
After your morning farm tour, many of our guests enjoy visiting nearby distilleries like Buffalo Trace and Four Roses. Pairing a horse farm tour with a distillery visit ensures you’ll enjoy an authentic taste of what makes Kentucky so special.
For those seeking a guided experience, several tour companies offer combination packages that include transportation, horse farm visits, distillery tours, and lunch – allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Kentucky’s heritage without worrying about navigation or timing.
As your hosts at Chateau Bourbon, we’re delighted to help plan your perfect Kentucky spring day – from booking your horse farm tours to securing dinner reservations at Barn8 or recommending the ideal bourbon distillery to complement your equine adventure. After all, experiencing the best of the Bluegrass is what makes a stay at Chateau Bourbon truly memorable.
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