As a lover of unique travel experiences, I’m always looking for places that offer a mix of history, beauty, and a great story. Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, checks all those boxes—and then some. This legendary Thoroughbred farm is where racing royalty like Secretariat once roamed, and today, visitors can walk the same grounds, meet champion stallions, and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most storied farms in American horse racing.
Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky
When building our itinerary for a road trip through the Bluegrass State, Paris was the obvious choice for experiencing Horse Country!
Rolling lush green hills and stunning pastures surround the charming town in the heart of Bourbon County. Not only did this permit us to stay on a horse farm, but it also allowed us to explore one of the most famous Thoroughbred breeding farms in the world— Claiborne Farm.
Located at 703 Winchester Road in Paris, the iconic horse farm offers guided tours daily, except in January and February when tours run five days a week. These tours give an incredible overview of life on a Thoroughbred breeding farm that has produced some of horse racing’s most famous champions.
Likewise, visitors can meet some of these remarkable horses and visit the final resting places of legends like Secretariat and Ruffian.
Touring Options & Scheduling
Speaking of touring… as I mentioned, tours are offered daily, with multiple time slots available throughout the day to accommodate visitors. In January and February, tours run five days a week, with no tours on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Guests can choose from a variety of options, including a traditional guided walking tour, a behind-the-scenes experience, or a private tour for a more personalized visit. There is also a seasonal shuttle tour that runs from April through October. This tour offers a comfortable ride around the farm with stops at key locations, perfect for those who prefer a less walking-intensive experience.
We opted for the traditional stallion walking tour, which lasts about an hour and provides an excellent overview of the farm’s history, operations, and legendary horses. And yes, we got to meet some of the horses!
Booking is required and can be done easily online through their website or by phone. Once you know your travel dates, it’s best to reserve your spot as early as possible to ensure availability.
Highlights of the Tour
There are several highlights on this tour. You’ll explore the farm’s beautifully maintained barns and grounds, which reflect over a century of equine history. You’ll also visit the grave of Triple Crown winner Secretariat and learn about his lasting impact on horse racing. Another memorable moment is meeting current stallions like War Front, Blame, and Runhappy. There’s truly so much to take in and enjoy.
During our visit, our guide John, a stallion groom, shared his extensive knowledge and some fascinating facts. For instance, artificial insemination isn’t allowed at the farm, and 18 of the 20 horses in the 2024 Kentucky Derby were descendants of Secretariat. Even more impressive, every horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby traces its lineage back to him.
“Claiborne Farm makes a great visit for families, especially kids who love animals. The tour is relaxed and kid-friendly, offering a chance to see magnificent horses up close. Just remember it’s a working farm with some walking and limited shade, so bring water and sunscreen. Bonus: Claiborne is a multi-generational family operation, so your family can hear stories about how this historic farm has been lovingly cared for and passed down through the decades—a living piece of Kentucky’s Horse Country tradition.”
Anna Marie
Tips for Planning Your Visit to Claiborne Farm
If you’re ready to saddle up and visit Claiborne Farm, here are a few helpful tips for planning a visit. As previously discussed, you will need to book your tour in advance. Tours meet at the visitor center. There are restrooms inside and a gift shop where you can pick up a memento to take when you leave.
This is a working horse farm so comfortable shoes is a must for the walking tour, visiting the stables, and exploring the grounds. Moreover, much of the tour is outdoors so be prepared for the weather.
Photos are encouraged, so be sure to bring your camera! You will want to capture the memories of the farm and the horses.
Should you wish to stay in Paris, there is a variety of lodging options including chain hotels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfast inns. For our visit, we stayed at Rosecrest Farm which is only a few miles from Claiborne Farm. You can read more about that HERE.
Why Visit Claiborne Farm?
There are many reasons to visit Claiborne Farm. The historical significance alone is a huge draw. With a legacy of more than 80 champion racehorses, this is one of the most pivotal sites in American horse racing history.
Furthermore, the educational value is outstanding. We gained so much knowledge and insights to the world of horse racing that we came away with a greater understanding and appreciation. I was especially moved seeing some of the champion graves— their names were familiar, and to see their final resting places was meaningful. Additionally, the grounds at Claiborne Farm are gorgeous and capture the essence of Kentucky’s beauty.
However, I think the best reason to visit is to meet the horses. These are amazing animals, each with its own charm and character. I fell in love with Runhappy. This friendly guy loves it when visitors give him candy, and I was thrilled when John, our guide, gave me the green light to offer him a mint.
It’s funny to think about how these horses are world-class athletes, yet a simple piece of candy can totally make their day. By the time I left, I felt like I’d made a friend—or at least earned a bit of trust thanks to a well-timed peppermint. I even signed up to receive their newsletter and now check regularly to learn how Runhappy’s progeny are doing at the track.
Final Furlong
Claiborne Farm is more than just a legendary name in horse racing—it’s a place where history and heart come together in a truly memorable way. Seeing Secretariat’s final resting place and strolling past the barns where so many champions have been raised gave me a real sense of the farm’s legacy.
Even if you’re not a lifelong racing fan, there’s something special about connecting with a place that’s played such an important role in the sport. It’s an experience I’ll carry with me for a long time.
Listen on the go!
Hey, Pinners! Pin this for later!
► Plan Your Trip to Claiborne Farm, Now!
It makes it simple to plan your trip. We’ve pre-filled the destination from the article and if there are multiple places mentioned in the article, we’ve put the one that is best used as your base to see all of the places mentioned.
Just select I’M STAYING and enter the travel dates and hit SEARCH. It automatically uses the first place in the article.
For a multi-day trip, if you stay near that location, you should be able to use it as your base.
Super simple. Just click on the pencil and enter the name of any place mentioned in the story. Or you can enter any address or even the name of a company if you are mixing business and pleasure.
Just click I’M DRIVING and you can see how long it will take, get driving directions and even rent a car if you need one.
Yes, we guarantee the best published rates on hotels. Click on the link for BEST RATE 110% GUARANTEE for details.
