Kentucky

How long does it take to get through the Kentucky Horse Park? What to know

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2024

How long does it take to get through the Kentucky Horse Park? What to know

The Kentucky Horse Park, located about an hour and 15 minutes from downtown Louisville in Lexington, might be worth a visit before the end of the season.

Here’s what we know.

Kentucky State Fair 2024: Don’t miss more than 30 free concerts at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair. Here’s the lineup

What happens at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park, which has been “celebrating our relationship with the horse since 1978,” offers various educational and entertaining experiences from live horse shows to guided trail rides to camping opportunities, according to the organization’s website.

The more than 1,225-acre park has also been home to stellar racehorses like Western Dreamer, the 1997 Pacing Triple Crown Winner; Bold Forbes, the 1976 Kentucky Derby winner; and Forego, an eight-time Eclipse Award winner.

Why is Kentucky Horse Park famous?

The Kentucky Horse Park has been a long-standing part of Kentucky horse racing history through educational, entertaining and engaging methods.

The park is known for its “Hall of Champions,” where accomplished racehorses retire and live out their final days while educating the local community. Horses that die at the park are moved to the “Memorial Walk of Champions,” home to like Be a Bono, Cam Fella and Da Hoss.

The Kentucky Horse Park is also home to the grave sites of Man o’ War, War Admiral and Isaac Burns Murphy.

How long does it take to go through the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park takes about three to five hours to fully experience during the main season. Those adding on extra rides or attractions should plan for more time.

Can you ride a horse at Kentucky Horse Park?

Yes. The Kentucky Horse Park offers both horse trail rides and pony rides.

What is the weight limit for rides at Kentucky Horse Park?

Guests must be 7+ years old, 4 feet tall and weigh less than 150 pounds to do a horseback trail ride. It costs $30 per person with times available at 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Ages 2-12 with a 90-pound weight limit can participate in the pony rides. Three times around the paddock costs $6 with time slots at 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Which American jockey is buried at Kentucky Horse Park?

Isaac Burns Murphy, a three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey who died in 1896, is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Murphy, who won more than a third of races in his career, had brought home five Latonia Derby wins and four of five of the initial American Derby victories.

After passing, Murphy’s grave remained untouched and abandoned in a Lexington cemetery until his remains were found, exhumed and reburied with Man o’ War at his previous site in 1967. The two were then moved again to their current location before the opening of the Kentucky Horse Park in 1978.

What famous horse is buried in Kentucky?

Man o’ War, with 20 first-place wins and one second-place win in his 1919-20 racing career, was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957 and is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park. His grave site is marked with a bronze sculpture near the front of the park and he is buried near his most famous son, Triple Crown winner War Admiral, and several other children, as well as the famous jockey Isaac Burns Murphy.

What movie was filmed at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The 1985 family drama movie “Sylvester” was filmed in part at the Kentucky Horse Park.

What champions are at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions includes seven retired racing horses, one of whom was the U.S. Pacing Triple Crown winner in 1997, Western Dreamer.

Where is Secretariat buried?

Secretariat is buried at Claiborne Farm in Paris, not far from Lexington. It is located at 703 Winchester Road.

Where was ‘Seabiscuit’ filmed?

The 2003 movie “Seabiscuit” was filmed in a variety of locations, but the horse was first introduced at Calumet Farm in Lexington.

Is the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington privately owned?

The Kentucky Horse Park is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

What was the old name of the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park had many previous owners and previous names, according to the history of the organization. These included Walnut Hall, Senorita Stud Farm and the Ashland-Wilkes Farm.

What do you do at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park offers various interactive elements like the American Saddlebred Museum, the International Museum of the Horse, horse shows and meet and greets, trail and pony rides, a gift shop, a cafe and more.

How much does it cost to visit the Kentucky Horse Park?

Admission can be purchased at the visitor center, and the cost varies.

Adult admission (ages 13-61): $22
Senior (ages 62+): $20
Military (with I.D.): $12
Child (ages 6-12): $12
Toddler (ages 5 and below): Free

Tickets purchased during the main season include the next day free except for major holidays and events.

Kentucky Horse Park hours

The Kentucky Horse Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday during its main season, which concludes Nov. 3. The park is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Kentucky Horse Park’s day-to-day schedule

The daily schedule is as follows.

Horse-Drawn Trolley: 10 a.m.
Hall of Champions Show: 10:30 a.m.
Parade of Breeds Show: 11 a.m.
Draft Horse Presentation: 11:45 a.m.
Facts & Fun at the Museum: 12:30 p.m.
Hall of Champions Show: 1:15 p.m.
Parade of Breeds Show: 2 p.m.
Horse-Drawn Trolley: 2:45 p.m.
Hall of Champions Nightcap: 3:30 p.m.

Kentucky Horse Park 2024 event schedule

The current August schedule is as follows.

Hats Off Day – Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Kentucky Summer Classic: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, Aug. 4.
International Gay Polo Tournament: All day Thursday, Aug. 1 to Saturday, Aug. 3.
EquineEd: Featuring Wren Blae Zimmerman: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.
USEF Pony Finals: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 11.
Bluegrass Festival Horse Show: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 to Sunday, Aug. 18.
Central Kentucky Riding For Hope Annual Open Barn Day: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17.
KHJA Show – August: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 25.
Walk to Defeat ALS: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
USEA American Eventing Championships: All day from Tuesday, Aug. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 1.
Bluegrass Classic Dog Show: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Sept. 1.
KHP Foundation Battle in the Saddle: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.

For more details and additional events, click here.

Kentucky Horse Park location in Lexington

Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway in Lexington.

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Kentucky

Three NKY girls wrestlers win titles, including a third for Emma Moore

Published

1 hour ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Three NKY girls wrestlers win titles, including a third for Emma Moore

LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has sponsored a girls state tournament for three seasons.

That’s three seasons of wrestling over the dirt at Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park

That’s three seasons of the girls having their own day to crown winners and placers.

And three seasons of Emma Moore climbing up the podium, taking her place as a Kentucky state champion.

Moore, a Walton-Verona senior who said she picked up the sport once the KHSAA started sanctioning, has gone 12-0 in her three trips to state with eight pins and a tech fall on the record.

“I feel great,” Moore said of ending her preps career on top again. “I feel like I made a lot of growth season and I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish.”

Moore won the all-Northern Kentucky state final at 107 pounds, besting Ryle eighth grader Peyton Brinkman, 13-5. Moore beat Brinkman with a 17-1 tech fall in the regional championship, but had to battle with Brinkman for three complete periods in the state final.

“I felt like she was better at stopping my attacks today,” Moore said. “But, I just make sure to get to my offense and wrestle like myself.”

Brinkman was one of three Brinkmans to place at the state tournament. While younger sister finished as runner-up, older twin brothers and Ryle sophomores Aiden and Bryant placed second and fifth respectively.

Moore’s championship was the 14th in Walton-Verona history. Of those 14, three came from Emma, two came from brother Spencer and two more came from brother Ryan.

Highlands junior Emma Hood grinds out 152-pound championship

Emma Hood had a 3-0 lead in the 152-pound KHSAA state final and just around a minute needed to hold on to win her first championship.

When opponent Bralyn Maynard of Prestonsburg tried to get out of Hood’s grasp, she bent Hood’s leg sideways at the knee, causing Hood to immediately react to the injury. Hood’s injury time ticked away before she hopped up, ready to continue on.

With the knee barking, Maynard scored a quick reversal and cut Hood’s lead to 3-2. For 44 seconds, Hood had Maynard wrestling on top, but unable to score any more points.

“That last minute was just pure fight or flight,” Hood said. “After the knee, adrenaline kinda kicks in and I really couldn’t feel it at all for the last minute of the match.

“She gets the reversal with about 46 seconds left. The whole time I’m replaying how it felt last year to lose to her and making sure that didn’t happen again.”

Hood was a runner-up last year, losing to Maynard by a pin in the match’s final seconds. The championship was the fourth state placement for Hood, who also placed fifth in 2024 and eighth in the Kentucky Wrestling Coaches Association girls tournament in 2023 that ran before KHSAA sanctioned a tournament.

With the win, Hood became the first wrestler in Highlands history ‒ boy or girl ‒ to win a KHSAA wrestling championship.

Cooper freshman Aaliyah Svec finishes off undefeated season

Aaliyah Svec’s freshman season is one that will hard to improve on, but she’s up for the challenge.

Svec’s first season as a high schooler saw her go 19-0 for the year, claiming Kentucky’s 138-pound state championship. She didn’t even wrestle a full-length match in the postseason, going 8-0 across the regional and state tournaments with six pins and a pair of tech falls.

One of those pins came in the 138-pound final as Svec pinned North Hardin’s Payton Perry in the third period while Svec was already sitting with an 8-2 lead.

“It’s absolutely wild,” Svec said. “I never thought I would be here. I’ve grown up doing this sport and I’m just so, so grateful for these opportunities.”

Like Hood, Svec’s championship was also historic for Cooper as she also became the first wrestling state champion ‒boy or girl ‒ in the program’s history.

Northern Kentucky girls wrestling state placers

107 – 1. Emma Moore (Walton-Verona), 2. Peyton Brinkman (Ryle); 114 – 6. Leah Boggs (Campbell County); 138 – 1. Aaliyah Svec (Cooper), 6. Preslee Steiber (Ryle); 152 – 1. Emma Hood (Highlands), 7. Devon Banks, Simon Kenton; 165 – 5. McAyla Steffen (Campbell County); 235 – 6. Fanta Mariko, Cooper.

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Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

Published

13 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

The best week of the boys Kentucky high school basketball season is here, as the regional tournaments begin.

Three boys basketball tournaments with Northern Kentucky teams begin next week as they try to punch their ticket to Rupp Arena. They are all in their traditional homes: The Eighth Region takes place at Henry County, the Ninth Region at Truist Arena and the 10th Region at the Mason County Fieldhouse. Here is a look at those brackets.

Eighth Region (at Henry County)

Wednesday, March 4: Henry County (19-11) vs. South Oldham (20-8), 6:30 p.m.; Simon Kenton (16-10) vs. Spencer County (19-13), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Walton-Verona (17-15) vs. North Oldham (22-5), 6:30 p.m.; Woodford County (17-7) vs. Gallatin County (11-20), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6:30 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: Simon Kenton edged Walton-Verona 56-51 for the 32nd District championship. Bray Bilton was the tournament MVP. SK did not play Spencer County this year, and lost to South Oldham in its half of the draw by 20. North Oldham and Woodford County are considered the two favorites, and are both 8-0 in the region as they have not played each other. WV lost to North Oldham by 20 on Feb. 6.

Ninth Region (at NKU’s Truist Arena)

Saturday, March 7: Highlands (25-5) vs. Conner (14-12), 1 p.m.; Covington Catholic (28-2) vs. Dixie Heights (18-12), 2:30 p.m.; Lloyd Memorial (22-4) vs. Holy Cross (21-9), 6:30 p.m.; Ryle (21-8) vs. Newport (21-9), 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 8: Semifinals – Highlands/Conner vs. CovCath/Dixie winners, 6:30 p.m.; Lloyd/Holy Cross vs. Ryle/Newport winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: CovCath is the overwhelming favorite. Its only losses are to other top Kentucky teams Male and Madison Central. CovCath has not played Lloyd or Newport but has beaten the other five teams in the field by an average of 27 points. The Colonels’ closest win against Ninth Region competition is by 18 (72-54) against its first opponent, Dixie Heights.

Conner beat Highlands 72-58 on Feb. 10. Ryle beat Conner by 12 in the 33rd District final for its first district title since 2014. Ryle beat Newport 45-30 on Dec. 17 but Newport has won seven of nine heading into the regional.

Lloyd is the hottest team in the region besides CovCath, winning 12 straight including a 21-point victory over Dixie in the 34th District final. Lloyd beat Holy Cross by 10, 63-53, on Jan. 6. Lloyd and Newport did not play each other this season, and time will tell if either can challenge CovCath if they get that chance. But barring injuries, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than the Colonels going to Rupp.

10th Region (at Mason County Fieldhouse)

Wednesday, March 4: Scott (15-14) vs. Mason County (7-19), 6 p.m.; Pendleton County (17-12) vs. George Rogers Clark (26-4), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Montgomery County (17-12) vs. Bracken County (14-15), 6 p.m.; Campbell County (21-9) vs. Nicholas County (20-12), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: George Rogers Clark is the heavy favorite here. Scott beat the host Royals 64-59 Dec. 18 in Taylor Mill. The hosts have struggled all year but won the 39th District. Scott survived a wild finish in the 37th District semifinals, with Jordan Clemons hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer after a steal to give the Eagles a win over Brossart. Freshman Benjamin Brown has averaged 23 points per game in half a season. Pendleton County won the 38th District behind junior Kamden O’Hara, one of Northern Kentucky’s best shooters (15.4 ppg., 100 3-pointers). They drew the short straw after tourney favorite GRC lost the 40th District final to Montgomery County, 73-66. Campbell County has won four straight, including two dominant wins in the 37th District tournament. The streak started with a 90-89 win over its first-round regional opponent Nicholas County Feb. 13. Sophomore standout Austin Davie put up 50 points against Nicholas. Campbell lost by 12 to potential semifinal opponent Montgomery County Jan. 23.

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Cities Drive Kentucky License Plate fund aims to support disaster relief across the commonwealth

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Cities Drive Kentucky License Plate fund aims to support disaster relief across the commonwealth

(LEX 18) — With peak flood season approaching in eastern Kentucky, a new license plate is hitting the road with a mission: helping communities recover when disaster strikes.

The Kentucky League of Cities is launching the Cities Drive Kentucky license plate to raise money for communities affected by natural disasters. The plates are expected to arrive at county clerk’s offices across the state next month.

Kentucky League of Cities CEO J.D. Chaney said the idea grew from watching Kentuckians rally together during past disasters — most notably in 2021, when an EF-4 tornado touched down in western Kentucky as part of a widespread outbreak.

“We saw people from the far east going far west that weren’t even touched,” Chaney said.

Chaney said getting local governments back on their feet quickly is essential to helping residents recover.

“Getting the city up and going to be able to respond to the citizens they serve is absolutely critical for individuals to make recovery,” Chaney said.

The Kentucky League of Cities also aims to serve as a communication hub during disasters, helping local officials manage the flood of offers of support so they can focus on their communities.

“They’ve got [300] or 400 other phone calls they need to be doing, and we help on that other side. So, there’s one point of contact to facilitate those things,” Chaney said.

The need for that kind of support is growing. Research from the organization shows extreme weather caused $22 million in damages in 2025.

Chaney described the license plate program as a safety net for cities across Kentucky.

“It’s an insurance policy, for Kentucky cities to know that they have that backing with other communities that have the resources so they can immediately get back and start serving their constituency,” Chaney said.

“We hope others also see how important that is,” Chaney added.

The Cities Drive Kentucky license plates will be available at county clerk’s offices statewide next month.

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