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.

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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.