Where We Be
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| Kentucky Horse Park -- Lexington, KY |
| Robin stands in front of the statue -- and burial place -- of the great racehorse Man O' War |
| Funky driftwood horse sculpture at the museum |
| The museum was chock-full of information on horses, such as this exhibit highlighting the "Three Foundation Sires" of all Thoroughbred racehorses |
| A special exhibit on Arabian horses included this life-size display of a Bedouin tent with the horses inside -- very much a part of the family |
| Colorful display at the museum celebrating equine sports |
| "Legacy of the Horse" is the signature exhibit at the Museum of the Horse and includes this exhibit of the Golden Age of the Horse in the 19th century |
| This diorama at the museum shows a prehistoric horse. Horses gradually evolved single large toes on their feet -- otherwise known as hooves. |
| Demo of a horse being trained at the Breeds Barn arena |
| We enjoyed seeing different breeds at the Breeds Barn |
| Meeting famous retired racehorses up close and personal at the Hall of Champions stable was a highlight. Cigar, Racehorse of the Decade in the 1990s, is now said to be the laziest horse of the current decade! |
| A young girl pats the horses pulling the carriage |
| Exhibit at the International Museum of the Horse |
| Funny Cide won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2003 |
| Even before the entry gate you get to pay tribute to racing legend Secretariat, who in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years |
| Kentucky Horse Park calls itself "The Heart of the Horse Capital of the World," and indeed, it is surrounded by some of the most famous thoroughbred breeding farms in the world |
| Kentucky Derby trophy |
| The grounds are dotted with statues of spirited stallions |
| Fun statue of a frisky foal and his quieter companion |
| Robin stands at the far end of Man O' War's stride length -- an incredible 28 feet! |
| Huge painting in the lobby titled "The Eternal Legacy" by Fred Stone |
| A horse-drawn carriage tour gave us a good overview of the Horse Park. In the spring or summer, the paddocks would be filled with horses and foals. |
| This is the burial site of Man O' War, considered by many to be the greatest American racehorse of all time |
| Wild horses and burros still roam free in the western U.S. |
We had a full and enjoyable day at the Kentucky
Horse Park. Highlights included seeing the
statue and burial place of Man O' War, taking a
horse-drawn carriage tour of the grounds,
meeting famous retired racehorses at the Hall
of Champions stables, watching the short film
“Rein of Nobility,” seeing horses in training at
the Breeds Barn, and touring the extensive
International Museum of the Horse. We'd like to
come back someday to see the famed Kentucky
bluegrass at the height of spring or summer.
Being introduced to famous retired racehorses
at the Hall of Champions was perhaps the best
part of the day. We got to meet Cigar, named
Racehorse of the Decade for the 1990s. In 1995
and 1996 he became the first American race-
horse to win 16 consecutive races since Triple
Crown winner Citation did so in 1948 and 1950.
He retired as the leading money earner in
thoroughbred racing history. We also met
Funny Cide, who won the Kentucky Derby and
Preakness in 2003, and Da Hoss, who won two
Breeders Cups. Da Hoss's second win in 1998
is considered by many sports writers to be one
of the biggest comebacks of all time. Tom
Durkin, the announcer, yelled, “Oh my, this is
the greatest comeback since Lazarus!”
Horse Park. Highlights included seeing the
statue and burial place of Man O' War, taking a
horse-drawn carriage tour of the grounds,
meeting famous retired racehorses at the Hall
of Champions stables, watching the short film
“Rein of Nobility,” seeing horses in training at
the Breeds Barn, and touring the extensive
International Museum of the Horse. We'd like to
come back someday to see the famed Kentucky
bluegrass at the height of spring or summer.
Being introduced to famous retired racehorses
at the Hall of Champions was perhaps the best
part of the day. We got to meet Cigar, named
Racehorse of the Decade for the 1990s. In 1995
and 1996 he became the first American race-
horse to win 16 consecutive races since Triple
Crown winner Citation did so in 1948 and 1950.
He retired as the leading money earner in
thoroughbred racing history. We also met
Funny Cide, who won the Kentucky Derby and
Preakness in 2003, and Da Hoss, who won two
Breeders Cups. Da Hoss's second win in 1998
is considered by many sports writers to be one
of the biggest comebacks of all time. Tom
Durkin, the announcer, yelled, “Oh my, this is
the greatest comeback since Lazarus!”
| Robin relaxes in the window seat at the Microtel Inn in Lexington, planning what we're going to be seeing the next day |
