Remembering The Queen in Kentucky

The Queen’s love of horses was well known, but did you know Elizabeth was no stranger to Kentucky’s horse country.

She visited Kentucky five times: in 1984, 1986, 1989, 1991, plus attended the Kentucky Derby on her last visit in 2007.

As we mourn her passing, Kentuckians have been fondly recalling her visits to the Bluegrass State

Visitors can also follow in royal footsteps in and around the ‘Horse Capital of the World’.

Keeneland

In Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to Kentucky in October 1984, she visited the historic Keeneland racetrack in Lexington to celebrate the inauguration of the race named in her honour – the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. It was reportedly her first visit to an American horse racing track. You can visit this National Historic Landmark and its landscaped grounds throughout the year, for tours, racing, horse sales and during November – the Breeders Cup World Championships.

The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

2007 was a very special time in Kentucky. Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the 133^rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. She received a tour of the trophy room and watched the Derby with Prince Philip and others while in attendance. Learn more the Derby and its history at the adjoining Kentucky Derby Museum, which offers tour of the racetrack throughout the year.

Hermitage Farm in Oldham County

During her second visit in May 1986, Queen Elizabeth II visited horse farms around the state, including Hermitage Farm in Oldham County, located just outside of Louisville. The horse farm is now a multi-faceted attraction, with a farm-to-table restaurant, Barn 8, horse farm tours, an Art Walk experience and a new bourbon tasting room.

Lane’s End Farm in Woodford County

The Queen has visited and stayed at Lanes’s End Farm in Woodford County near Versailles on multiple visits throughout the years. A variety of tours are available so you can also tour the farm and its operations. During her 1986 visit, she got her first look at one of her mares and its foal at the farm. Her working holiday visit in 1989 included the farm and others in the region, as well as her 1991 visit, when she examined stallions to potentially breed with her mares in future years. The Queen seemed to be impressed by 1988 Kentucky Derby Winner and Horse of the Year Alysheba, who lived on the farm during that time.

Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington

Queen Elizabeth II has also visited Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington during her multiple visits to Kentucky. The nursery farm even built a special covered pavilion on its grounds for the Queen to use when visiting to inspect horses she owned, boarded and bred. Today, tours of the farm start in the breeding shed, where there are display boards detailing the farm’s history, including pictures of the Queen’s 1991 visit.

Other Horse Country Farms

More than 450 horse farms with rolling hills and fences can be found in Central Kentucky surrounding Lexington, the ‘Horse Capital of the World’. Visitors can book tours with Horse Country to explore the homes of champions and learn about the care and husbandry of Kentucky’s signature athletes.