November Open Houses in Kentucky

[Catinca]

Does anyone know of any farm open houses that will be happening during the Keeneland November Sale? I'll be down there for a few days, and while I know the drill when it comes to scheduling appointments, it's always much easier if farms are already having open houses.

Thanks guys!

[Railbird]

Lane's End is having one starting Nov. 7 through the week, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day.

WinStar is having one beginning Nov. 7, but I don't know the exact times.

[Ezariah]

I called both farms and was told Winstar's is 10-2:30 and Lane's End's is 10-1. Perhaps LE extended there time since then due to an overload of calls about Quality Road, assuming he will be there on Sunday.

Three Chimneys is holding one Wednesday the 3rd from 10-1. They told me that is the only day they will be allowing people to visit the farm next wee and the week after the BC.

Lane's End is having one starting Nov. 7 through the week, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day.

WinStar is having one beginning Nov. 7, but I don't know the exact times.

[Hermes]

I think what 3C's meant is that is the only time they are allowing fans to visit You know, them being all warm and cuddly and everything...wanting to bring new folks into the sport.

[CarsonCity]

I think what 3C's meant is that is the only time they are allowing fans to visit You know, them being all warm and cuddly and everything...wanting to bring new folks into the sport.

Now that's not fair. No farm has been more accomodating. Actually, I think the reason they have had to have some limitations now is directly related to their open door policy of the past. Many is the time when I was trying to have a stallion show and family group simultaneously...it's a tricky thing to keep a customer and a guest both happy. I hope TCF has gotten some kind of award for their kindness to visitors.

[TBird]

Darley open house:
November 8th -- 20th
Noon -- 3:30

[TBird]

WinStar
Nov 7 - 13th
10 - 2

[second_glance]

Spendthrift --

11:00 am--3:00 pm, Nov. 5 through the end of the KEENOV sale.

[Railbird]

I went to WinStar this morning, and it was very nice. It was a mix of horse people who were serious about the stallions, and casual fans (I think one of the farm tour buses stopped there) - and WinStar did a great job of accommodating both. Their facility is just beautiful, and they were willing to let people look at the breeding shed, see the teasing area, pet the teaser stud Spot, etc (and again, they did a great job explaining the whole process to the novice visitors). Super Saver looked very relaxed and happy - it was good to see him. And Colonel John in particular loved all the attention - he had his head out of the stall watching with a very interested expression most of the morning. Also learned that they do ride the stallions there, and one of the managers spent a long time talking about each stallion's likes and dislikes, etc. I have always thought highly of WinStar - but even more so after today. If anyone is trying to decide which open houses to attend, I definitely recommend theirs.

[bare it all]

We went to Lanes End today. Lovely place. The stallions were all turned out nicely and AP Indy is still looking fat.

I have to say I'm a big fan of Mineshaft now. What a sweetheart. Rock Hard Ten is magnificent and Curlin is much more horse than I thought he was. He's big!

[Lakeway]

I went to WinStar this morning, and it was very nice. It was a mix of horse people who were serious about the stallions, and casual fans (I think one of the farm tour buses stopped there) - and WinStar did a great job of accommodating both. Their facility is just beautiful, and they were willing to let people look at the breeding shed, see the teasing area, pet the teaser stud Spot, etc (and again, they did a great job explaining the whole process to the novice visitors). Super Saver looked very relaxed and happy - it was good to see him. And Colonel John in particular loved all the attention - he had his head out of the stall watching with a very interested expression most of the morning. Also learned that they do ride the stallions there, and one of the managers spent a long time talking about each stallion's likes and dislikes, etc. I have always thought highly of WinStar - but even more so after today. If anyone is trying to decide which open houses to attend, I definitely recommend theirs.

I'm very glad to hear that they ride their stallions. I've always believed they have to be happier horse.

As a huge Colonel John fan, was wondering if you could relay some of his likes and dislikes?

Thanks...

[second_glance]

Not exactly an open house, but Blame will be available for inspection Tuesday and Wednesday at Stall's barn at Keeneland.

Details here:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nat...keeneland.aspx

[Railbird]

I'm very glad to hear that they ride their stallions. I've always believed they have to be happier horse.

As a huge Colonel John fan, was wondering if you could relay some of his likes and dislikes?

Thanks...

The things they shared about him were:
--He doesn't like cold weather much. The stallions typically get plenty of outdoor time in the winter (unless the ground is icy), but last year, CJ stayed inside a lot more of the time because he didn't like the cold, maybe because he came from Cali. They try to listen to what the horses want rather than saying "this is our program, they all go out at X time."
--He likes having the top of his stall grate open so he can stick his head out and see what's going on. He's very attentive and curious. They noted it's interesting because Tiznow also prefers to have the top of his stall open, so maybe it's a family trait

I was also glad to hear they ride their stallions. The guys certainly all look very happy. They're all in good weight, bright-eyed, and, while they all had different personalties as far as interacting with visitors, they were all definitely interested in their surroundings.

[bare it all]

I called both farms and was told Winstar's is 10-2:30 and Lane's End's is 10-1. Perhaps LE extended there time since then due to an overload of calls about Quality Road, assuming he will be there on Sunday.

FWIW, Quality Road was NOT there yesterday and I didn't even see a stall set up for him yet... no nameplate or even an empty stall with fresh straw in it. I didn't ask any of the workers there - they seemed busy enough with the load of people (I bet there was close to 100 people).

The stallions were so well mannered and VERY patient and the farm itself is incredibly accomodating. I definitely was not expecting to actually get so close to the boys! Everyone who wanted to could pat the stallions neck and get a picture with him. Mints were a popular treat that some remembered and the boys were more than willing to take those and crunch and savor them. Rock Hard Ten looked like he was in horsey heaven with all the attention, mints, and love. The only one we saw get a little worked up was Pleasantly Perfect, but I think he was just bored standing there and he seemed happier when the groom walked him back and forth a few times. Indy would come out for about 10 minutes at a time and you could pat him and get a picture.

[Lakeway]

FWIW, Quality Road was NOT there yesterday and I didn't even see a stall set up for him yet... no nameplate or even an empty stall with fresh straw in it. I didn't ask any of the workers there - they seemed busy enough with the load of people (I bet there was close to 100 people).

According to The Thoroughbred Times article (following), he arrived there today, and would be available for inspection.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/bre...lanes-end.aspx

Did anyone see him today? Hope he's doing ok. Don't know if it's really the case, but I've read others mention that he also didn't seem himself on Saturday before the Classic.

[Catinca]

I'm going to be in KY from Thursday through Sunday. If anyone wants to meet up to visit some farms together, I'd absolutely love to do so! As of right now, I'm planning to spend most of Thursday at Keeneland, as Catinca is selling then. I believe my friend and I are going to Darley and Mill Ridge on Saturday afternoon, but other than that I'm completely open. I've also discovered that the stallions at Shadwell will be available for viewing at 9 am and 3 pm daily during the sale, Ashford is having an open house until the 14th, and the Vinery stallions are available to see from 9-2:30 during the sale.

[Bandinifan06]

I'm thinking about doing some open houses on Saturday, not sure yet. I went to Darley and Lane's End yesterday, but didn't really see anyone out at LE. I want to go over today and see Quality Road, and possibly Blame over at Keeneland. I've got about 200 pictures of Blame I never processed from about 2 weeks ago....heh...

[Catinca]

Catinca is out!

So I'm working on a schedule of farms to visit...I'd love to meet some of you this week!

[Catinca]

Adena is also having an open house on Saturday. See the email below that I received:

"We are also having an open house on Saturday with a formal all show of the stallions with an announcer and prizes (including some seasons to our stallions) which will begin around 7pm. The open house will begin at 10 am and the stallions will be available for shows all day as well. We have food and refreshments as well. We also have a shuttle bus that will be taking people to and from the farm starting at the Keeneland sales pavilion."

[second_glance]

According to The Thoroughbred Times article (following), he arrived there today, and would be available for inspection.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/bre...lanes-end.aspx

Did anyone see him today? Hope he's doing ok. Don't know if it's really the case, but I've read others mention that he also didn't seem himself on Saturday before the Classic.

Not a conformation shot, but it makes me smile:

http://morningline.tumblr.com/post/1...t-this-is-just

Apparently, they forgot to pack his grooming equipment. Or perhaps he'd just awakened from a nightmare about the race. ;-)

Another head shot:

http://morningline.tumblr.com/post/1...1/quality-road

Photos by Marshall Blevins.