A horse at the barn at Churchill Downs looking right at the photographer
Another Horse Looking at You
Horse Looking at You
Category Archives: Kentucky
Portraits of Horses
While on the Barn and Backyard Tour at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, we saw many horses in barns posing for the photographers. Here are portraits of a couple of horses.
Looking at You
A Mixed Colored Horse
Farrier Ending Ferring
Filing and then pounding nails in the horse hooves completes his ferring work at the backside of Churchill Downs.
Filing Hoof
Pounding the Nails in the Hoof
Ferring a Horse
Ferring or shoeing a horse is a process performed by a farrier, a professional specializing in horse hoof care. Farriers also clean, shape, and balance a horse’s hooves and can help identify and treat hoof health problems.
Here are images from Churchill Downs of a farrier doing work. He starts by examining the hoof and pulls the nails.
Ferrier Started Work
Pulling the Nails
Churchill Downs Stables
In the guided van tour, riders ride among the signature green-roofed barns, home to 1,700 horses during the racing and training season. In addition to the horses, they see some of the hundreds of people who live and work on the Backside as they care for and train the world-class Thoroughbreds.
We saw the stables where winning horses have lived during their time at Churchill Downs (there are plaques to honor each Kentucky Derby winning horse at their named stable)
McPeek Stable Winners
Winners’ Plaques at the Stable
Washing the Horses
Against the backdrop of Churchill Downs’ historic Twin Spires, the backside comes to life in the pre-dawn light.
The racehorses at Churchill Downs have also to get ready for the races. After the horses’ morning workout, they are cooled down and bathed.
Washing a Horse
Washing a Horse with Soap
Getting a Wash
Speeding Horse
Captured the speed of a horse during the early morning warm-up morning at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Speeding Horse
Running Neck and Neck
Even at warm-up at Churchill Downs, horses and jockeys are in a competitive mood, running neck and neck.
Neck to Neck
Early Morning Warm Up
Everyone’s favorite behind-the-scenes tradition. Spend the morning at Churchill Downs to watch the contenders warm up on the track. Horses train on the main track daily from 5:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Early Morning Practice
Galloping
Preparing for Races
The entrance to the racing trek at Churchill Down, Louisville, Kentucky, is being prepared for the day’s races. The racing trek is pristine, even at the bends.
Getting the Entrance Ready
Bend in the Track
Twin Spires at Churchill Downs
Initially designed and created as simply an addition, these structures have become permanently linked to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Used countless times over the years as a promotional tool, links to numerous stories, and a reminder of the place, the Twin Spires have become a revered symbol.
If Churchill Downs is American Thoroughbred horse racing’s cathedral, its steeple and eternal landmark is the Twin Spires. These two pinnacles cast a glow up and down Louisville and across the landscape of horse racing history.
Twin Spires
Preparing the Race Trek
The tractor works at Churchill Downs, raking treks to make them pristine for horse races.
Tractor Working at Churchill Downs
Raking the Track
Down the Track at Churchill Downs
Raked Track at Churchill Downs
Winner’s Circle
Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs is full only after the races are run.
Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs
Empty Seats
In the early morning at Churchill Downs, the seats, including the space for horse owners, are empty.
Seats at Churchill Downs
The place for Owners at Churchill Downs
More Space for Owners at Churchill Downs
Early Morning at Churchill Downs
The morning is serene when one starts a tour at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Pristine Racetrack at Churchill Downs
Flying Above Churchill Downs
At Kentucky Derby Museum
Kentucky Derby Museum is the only place that brings together over 20,000 artifacts, 170+ bourbons, exclusive Churchill Downs tours, immersive exhibits, and a thrilling 360° film that will make a heart race and emotions soar as one immerses in the excitement of the Derby.
As one enters the museum, there is a statue of Mystik Dan, a 3-year-old colt that has raced from 2023 to 2024, with a win at Churchill Downs in 2024.
Mystik Dan
Kentucky Derby Sign
At Churchill Downs
While in Kentucky, we had a private tour of Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named after Samuel Churchill, whose family had been prominent in Kentucky for many years.
Here is the entrance with a Barbaro statue in the front. Barbaro will be remembered for his six first-place finishes, including the 2006 Kentucky Derby, which he dominated by 6 1/2 lengths. The bronze statue, created by Kentucky artist Alexa King, showcases Barbaro and jockey Edgar Prado in mid-flight between strides nearing the finish line in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
At Churchill Downs
Barbaro
Horse Art at the Ark
We ended our visit to Ark Encounter in Kentucky with a view of an art-decorated horse that almost seemed like a tree growing behind it.
Horse Art at the Ark
Noah’s Ark Wide View
Giant Anteater at the Ark
Here is an image of a Giant Anteater at Ark Encounter. Giant anteaters are the only terrestrial anteater species. They can run up to 30 miles per hour, but they are still excellent climbers and swimmers. Giant anteaters can flick their two-foot-long spiny tongues 150 times per minute to eat over 30,000 insects at 200 nests daily.
Giant Anteater the Ark
Binturong at the Ark
Binturong at Ark Encounter, known as bearcat, is an arboreal animal that is neither bear nor cat—it is a civet. Binturongs are excellent climbers, primarily arboreal, and prefer to live high in the forest canopies. They can rotate their ankles to allow them to climb down trees headfirst. They are also excellent swimmers!
Binturong at the Ark