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Kentucky Horse Country USA National Geographic magazine_5/2003 66 images Created 1 Apr 2021

Kentucky Horse Country photographed for National Geographic magazine. These photographs get at the life on Kentucky horse farms that creates the culture surrounding the Kentucky Derby.
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  • Dirt flies up as horses gallop down the track in front of the twin spires of Churchill Downs. Horses are competing for a million dollar purse and a place in history.  First held in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is one of THE most famous two minutes in thoroughbred racing.
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  • Stylish, extravagant hats are a long-standing tradition at the Kentucky Derby. Competition for the best dressed is nearly as fierce as the thoroughbred horse race outside. Women parade in costumed finery in the Turf Club in hallways lined with jockey's portraits at Churchill Downs.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720961.TIF
  • Some prized horses live a pampered life in retirement and command large amount of money for breeding rights in the hopes they’ll pass on the best qualities of their bloodline. An Irish-owned farm, Ashford Stud which is part of international horse racing business Coolmore, was built in recent years and features stone barns and bridges creating the charm of an earlier era. Stalls are filled with plush straw for bedding under chandeliers that shine in the cupolas.  <br />
Past Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch's stud fees are as high as $125,000 per mating. A farm worker leads the stallion to a breeding barn.
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  • A stallion is surrounded by white fences lined with spring flowering crabapple and cherry trees creating an idyllic, picturesque setting for a Thoroughbred horse farm. What makes Kentucky special is that it is geologically favored for horses. Millions of years ago, layers of shells were buried and the crushed limestone makes the grass rich in calcium. As the land sinks, hills and valley are formed which make a perfect terrain for building strong muscles when horses run.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720968.jpg
  • A recessive gene produces all rare white horses on Patchen Wilkes Farm.  Patchen Beauty foaled the first white colt in the family, The White Fox.  The young foal plays while his mother grazes. He is the 16th non-albino white thoroughbred to be registered with the studbook of the Jockey Club in the more than 1.7 million horses registered.<br />
<br />
The mare and foal descend from the first non-albino white thoroughbred horse registered in 1963—White Beauty—a filly that belonged to Herman Goodpaster. White Beauty produced several alabaster white horses including Patchen Beauty who won two races before becoming a broodmare.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720975.jpg
  • Nurse mares guard over young Thoroughbred foals who are fitted for a halter the first day of their life. They spend weeks in fenced paddocks eating sweet clover, bluegrass and dandelions while learning to socialize before training begins.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720966.jpg
  • Flowers and stones mark Calumet Farm's horse cemetery. Successful horses are so important to the culture that each farm has a cemetery honoring their Thoroughbred champions, although few are as elaborate or carry the prestige as the stones marking Calumet’s winners.
    ClaiborneFarms copy.jpg
  • Aerial view of Stone Farm, a 2,000 acre horse-breeding farm with a private track to train Thoroughbred horses. Stone Farm is owned by Arthur Hancock III, a member of one of the pre-eminent American horse racing families.  Hancock has bred, stood, and sold some of the best horses of all time and two Stone Farm-raised, co-raced colts won the Kentucky Derby.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720962.jpg
  • Dr. Smiser West waits for birth of a Thoroughbred foal on his Waterford Farm. April and May are foaling season and most are born between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. under the cover of darkness.  A night watchman calls Dr. West who at age 94 still jumps out of bed and comes to the barn to wait for the blessed event of a baby that is born to run.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720967.jpg
  • A 1,000-pound patient is moved into a mat after receiving surgery at famed Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  The facility is respected throughout the world for innovative and skilled treatment for horses including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a specialized Podiatry Center and specialized Reproductive Center. Thoroughbred horses are like high-powered human athletes and sustain repairable injuries that can keep them racing.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971.jpg
  • The Bluegrass Region is rich with lore and traditions like the lawn jockey, a small statue prominently positioned on every farm with a lantern or hitching ring in one outstretched hand. Local legend says it memorializes Jocko Graves, who stood guard over horses for George Washington and froze to death holding a lantern in his hand. He was known as the faithful guardsman.<br />
Modern day watchman and farm owner Dr. Smiser West walks out his office door toward the lawn jockey painted with the colors of Waterford Farm.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720967-1.JPG
  • Waiting in the paddock before a race is Pat Day who had a career win of over 8000 races.  A jockey’s life is not easy—a member of an elite club of professional athletes who maintain a near inhuman weight restriction that most Americans couldn’t pass.  He speaks with a trainer before a race and is surrounded by the trainers’ sons at Keeneland Race track.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964.TIF
  • Farmhands that care for the horses take a break from chores with games and refreshments. The workers become close like family and get together for informal parties and pot luck dinners where they bring dishes from their home countries Columbia, Lithuania, Australia, Mexico, Ireland and the U.S.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720970.jpg
  • Flowers and stones mark Calumet Farm's horse cemetery. Successful horses are so important to the culture that each farm has a cemetery honoring their Thoroughbred champions, although few are as elaborate or carry the prestige as the stones marking Calumet’s winners.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720974.jpg
  • Thoroughbred horse auction at Fasig-Tipton, the oldest auction house in the United States. Horses are most often sold at public auction like this two-year old sale where horses often go for six figures—a bid spotter searches the crowd while a video showing the horse sprinting on the track along with the time is show on monitors above.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720972.jpg
  • Aerial view of Donamire Farm's fenced pastures. Once all farms were lined with white fences, but many now are black—cheaper to maintain. A Thoroughbred horse farm doing well financially still follows the tradition with white paint.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720976.jpg
  • Fans crowd in Keeneland race track's paddock on race day while horses are saddles for the next race. Founded in 1935, Keeneland takes pride in maintaining racing traditions. It was the last track in North America to broadcast race calls over a public-address system, not doing so until 1997. Most of the racing scenes of the 2003 movie Seabiscuit were shot at Keeneland, because its appearance has changed relatively little in the last several decades. The Thoroughbred horse track was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720963.jpg
  • A cigar-smoking, casually dressed fan stands in the clubhouse courtyard of Churchill Downs on Derby day. Fans crowd into the paddock with racing programs to place their bets and watch the horses being saddled.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720984.jpg
  • Stylish, extravagant hats are a long-standing tradition at the Kentucky Derby. Competition for the best dressed is nearly as fierce as the thoroughbred horse race outside. Ashley Judd attends.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720961-1.JPG
  • Race fans crowd the rail to cheer for their horse to win at Churchill Downs racetrack, a long-standing tradition at the Kentucky Derby.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720961-2.JPG
  • Fans gather on the lawn under flowering trees at Keeneland race track on race day. Founded in 1935, Keeneland takes pride in maintaining racing traditions. It was the last track in North America to broadcast race calls over a public-address system, not doing so until 1997. Most of the racing scenes of the 2003 movie Seabiscuit were shot at Keeneland, because its appearance has changed relatively little in the last several decades. The Thoroughbred horse track was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720973-2.JPG
  • Stylish, extravagant hats are a long-standing tradition at the Kentucky Derby. Competition for the best dressed is nearly as fierce as the thoroughbred horse race.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720961-3.JPG
  • Race fans don red and black feathers because the stylish, extravagant hats are a long-standing tradition at the Kentucky Derby. Competition for the best dressed is nearly as fierce as the thoroughbred horse race.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720961-4.JPG
  • Crowds in the infield are a long-standing tradition at the Kentucky Derby where it is standing room only to watch the horse races. The general admission attracts those to an area where the beer flows freely and many end up sunburned from having no shade.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720961-5.JPG
  • A large field of Thoroughbred horses gallop in tight formation down the stretch to the first turn in the Kentucky Derby. Running on a dirt track, this two minute horse race is one most famous in the world.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737658-1.JPG
  • Morning workout on the track as Thoroughbred horses prepare for the Kentucky Derby. Jockeys and trainers train on the dirt track under the famous twin spires at Churchill Downs race track. This two minute horse race is one most famous in the world.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737658-2.JPG
  • Early morning workout on the track empty of cheering crowds as Thoroughbred horses prepare for the Kentucky Derby. Jockeys and trainers train on the dirt track under the famous twin spires at Churchill Downs. This two minute horse race is one most famous in the world.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737658-3.JPG
  • A large field of Thoroughbred horses blur as they run by the twin towers and down the stretch for the Kentucky Derby. This two minute horse race is one most famous in the world.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737658-4.JPG
  • A large field of Thoroughbred horses blur as they run by the twin towers and down the stretch for the Kentucky Derby. This two minute horse race is one most famous in the world.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737658-5.JPG
  • A large field of Thoroughbred horses gallop in tight formation down the stretch into the first turn in the Kentucky Derby. Run on a dirt track, this two minute horse race is one most famous in the world.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737658.jpg
  • A jockey and horse walk back to the barn in a picturesque scene after an early morning workout during Keeneland race track's spring racing season. Founded in 1935, Keeneland takes pride in maintaining racing traditions. It was the last track in North America to broadcast race calls over a public-address system, not doing so until 1997. Most of the racing scenes of the 2003 movie Seabiscuit were shot at Keeneland, because its appearance has changed relatively little in the last several decades. The Thoroughbred horse track was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720973-1.JPG
  • Aerial view of a single horse grazing in picturesque, curved-fenced pastures. Once all farms were lined with white fences, but many now are black—easier to maintain. Lane's End is one of the most important stallion farms and breeding operations in the U.S. and also one of the top operations globally.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720976-2.JPG
  • Stone Farm, a 2,000 acre horse-breeding farm with a private track to train Thoroughbred horses is owned by Arthur Hancock III, a member of one of the pre-eminent American horse racing families.  Hancock has bred, stood, and sold some of the best horses of all time and two Stone Farm-raised, co-raced colts won the Kentucky Derby. Hancock and his wife Stacie, are outspoken about the ethics of the horse racing business.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720962-2.JPG
  • A pregnant mare rolls in the mud with a plastic bucket over her mouth as a muzzle to keep her from being inadvertently eating caterpillars, thus limiting her exposure to toxins.<br />
In 2001, approximately 25% of all pregnant mares in Kentucky aborted their foals within several weeks (over 3,000 mares lost pregnancies), and abortion rates exceeded 60% on some farms because of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS).  The mysterious disease caused mares to spontaneously abort at an early term as well fully developed foals—the babies that survived had heart and eye problems. Those that didn’t die or were put down had brain injuries and are often referred to as “dummy foals.”  University of Kentucky estimates 1400 foals were aborted costing the state 336 million dollars.<br />
<br />
What was known was that mares were being exposed to something in the fields—a fungus or mycotoxin that seemed to be related to the Eastern tent caterpillar that was found in cherry trees. Farms tried to limit their risk and exposure to the grass by putting plastic buckets over their mouths.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720969.jpg
  • A room full of 1,000-pound patients receiving surgery at famed Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  The facility is respected throughout the world for innovative and skilled treatment for horses including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a specialized Podiatry Center and specialized Reproductive Center. Thoroughbred horses are like high-powered human athletes and sustain repairable injuries that can keep them racing.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-2.JPG
  • Wisps of smoke float from a burning Chinese herb on acupuncture needles used by veterinarian Rhonda Rathgeber to treat a mare for fertility troubles. The Chinese have been needling horses for several thousand years. Now Western vets are using such holistic remedies alongside traditional medicine or after it fails. Some believe the quick, painless pricks also boost the animal's athletic performance.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-3.JPG
  • Keeneland Race track's Thoroughbred horse auction for two-year olds is where horses often sell for six figures. A bid spotter dressed in a tuxedo searches the crowd while a video showing the horse sprinting on the track along with the time is show on monitors above.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720973-3.JPG
  • Calumet Farm's mares and foals graze in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Successful thoroughbred race horses are so important to the culture that each farm has a cemetery honoring their Thoroughbred champions.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720974-2.JPG
  • Flowers and stones mark Calumet Farm's horse cemetery. Successful horses are so important to the culture that each farm has a cemetery honoring their Thoroughbred champions, although few are as elaborate or carry the prestige as the stones marking Calumet’s winners.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720974-3.JPG
  • Flowers and stones mark Calumet Farm's horse cemetery. Successful horses are so important to the culture that each farm has a cemetery honoring their Thoroughbred champions, although few are as elaborate or carry the prestige as the stones marking Calumet’s winners.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720974-4.JPG
  • Flowers and stones mark Calumet Farm's horse cemetery. Successful horses are so important to the culture that each farm has a cemetery honoring their Thoroughbred champions, although few are as elaborate or carry the prestige as the stones marking Calumet’s winners.
    ClaiborneFarms2 copy.jpg
  • Horses break from the starting gate at Churchill Downs race track. The two minute Kentucky Derby race is run on dirt as horses jockey for position on the stretch to the first turn.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-1.JPG
  • A jockey’s life is not easy—a member of an elite club of professional athletes who maintain a near inhuman weight restriction that most Americans couldn’t pass. Although talented women compete, it is not an easy life.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-7.JPG
  • A female jockey carries her tack down the track after a race at Keeneland. A jockey’s life is not easy—a member of an elite club of professional athletes who maintain a near inhuman weight restriction that most Americans couldn’t pass.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-3.JPG
  • War Emblem races down the final stretch to win the Kentucky Derby in 2002 at Churchill Downs.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-2.JPG
  • Walking down a muddy track after a thoroughbred horse race at Keeneland. A jockey’s life is not easy—a member of an elite club of professional athletes who maintain a near inhuman weight restriction that most Americans couldn’t pass.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-4.JPG
  • A jockey’s life is not easy—a member of an elite club of professional athletes who maintain a near inhuman weight restriction that most Americans couldn’t pass.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-5.JPG
  • Jockeys wait for the next race to be called when they will make their way to the paddock and mount their horse. A jockey’s life is not easy—a member of an elite club of professional athletes who maintain a near inhuman weight restriction that most Americans couldn’t pass.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720964-6.JPG
  • Prepping a 1,000-pound patient , assistants work together fore a thoroughbred horse goes into surgery at famed Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  The facility is respected throughout the world for innovative and skilled treatment for horses including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a specialized Podiatry Center and specialized Reproductive Center. Thoroughbred horses are like high-powered human athletes and sustain repairable injuries that can keep them racing.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-1.JPG
  • A 1,000-pound patient is moved into a mat after receiving surgery at famed Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  The facility is respected throughout the world for innovative and skilled treatment for horses including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a specialized Podiatry Center and specialized Reproductive Center. Thoroughbred horses are like high-powered human athletes and sustain repairable injuries that can keep them racing.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-3.JPG
  • Caretakers and surgeons wait in a recovery area with a 1,000-pound patient after he is moved into a mat. The thoroughbred received surgery at famed Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital which is respected throughout the world. They are known for innovative and skilled treatment for horses including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a specialized Podiatry Center and specialized Reproductive Center. Thoroughbred horses are like high-powered human athletes and sustain repairable injuries that can keep them racing.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-4.JPG
  • A sick foal is tended to while lying on a mat under heated blankets in stall on a Thoroughbred horse farm. Veterinarians treated many foals when a number of mares delivered prematurely or aborted for a mysterious disease that was traced to tent caterpillars in the pastures.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-2.JPG
  • Sick foals are put in the hyperbaric chamber and given large amounts of oxygen for two hours--an experiment that has helped humans and they are hoping horses.  at famed Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.  The facility is respected throughout the world for innovative and skilled treatment for horses including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a specialized Podiatry Center and specialized Reproductive Center. Thoroughbred horses are like high-powered human athletes and sustain repairable injuries that can keep them racing.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720971-1.JPG
  • Evening sunset light illuminates a fence on an Kentucky horse farm in early spring.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720965-1.JPG
  • Mares and foals gallop across the pasture on an Irish farm, Ashford Stud which is part of international horse racing business Coolmore.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720965-2.JPG
  • A Thoroughbred nuzzles a cat on a fence. Horses and cats are quite compatible. They are both sensitive and social creatures, and they nearly always get along forming strong bonds of friendship.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_737763.jpg
  • Morning fog rises over Donamire Farm's fenced pastures and pastoral setting in Lexington, Kentucky
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720976-1.JPG
  • With ears pricked forward, a yearling thoroughbred curiously awaits at a white fence on Manchester Farm, a Thoroughbred horse with a barn that is located on the backside of Keeneland Race Track. What makes Kentucky special is that it is geologically favored for horses. Millions of years ago, layers of shells were buried and the crushed limestone makes the grass rich in calcium. As the land sinks, hills and valley are formed which make a perfect terrain for building strong muscles when horses run.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720968-1.JPG
  • Yearlings stand in a pasture surrounded by white fences and a historic Thoroughbred horse farm. Located in the heart of the Bluegrass, next to Keeneland Race Track, Manchester Farm holds the distinction as one of the most recognizable farms in Kentucky. What makes Kentucky special is that it is geologically favored for horses. Millions of years ago, layers of shells were buried and the crushed limestone makes the grass rich in calcium. As the land sinks, hills and valley are formed which make a perfect terrain for building strong muscles when horses run.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720968-2.JPG
  • White barns with red trim are characteristic of Calumet Farm, a 762-acre Thoroughbred breeding and training farm established in 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky. William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the Calumet Baking Powder Company created Calumet farm located in the heart of the Bluegrass, a well-known horse breeding region.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720974-1.JPG
  • Pin Oak Farm owner and breeder Josephine Abercrombie ran a prominent 4,000 acre farm near Versailles. A horse lover in her childhood, she bred of highly-trained successful race horses. Racing season brings on a flurry of parties and social events. Abercrombie was philanthropic and highly respected. She died in 2022.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720968-2-3.JPG
  • Pin Oak Farm owner and breeder Josephine Abercrombie ran a prominent 4,000 acre  farm near Versailles. A horse lover in her childhood, she brought sugar cubes to her thoroughbreds hoping for a kiss on the cheek from a gentle mare and foal. Abercrombie died in 2022.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720968-2-1.JPG
  • Stacie Hancock, co-owner of Stone Farm, a 2,000 acre horse-breeding farm with a private track to train Thoroughbred horses. Stone Farm's Arthur Hancock III, is a member of one of the pre-eminent American horse racing families.  Hancock has bred, stood, and sold some of the best horses of all time and two Stone Farm-raised, co-raced colts won the Kentucky Derby.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720962-1.JPG
  • Spirited Thoroughbred foals romp and play in a pasture on Waterford Farm.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720967-2.JPG
  • A Thoroughbred mares sniffs her foal on Waterford Farm. April and May are foaling season and most are born between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. under the cover of darkness.  They are turned out into a pasture daily where foals eat dandelions and clover.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720967-3.JPG
  • A halter is placed on a thoroughbred foal soon after birth which help the babies adjust to handling by humans.
    MELISSA FARLOW_MM7017_720967-5.JPG