Tag Archives: Churchill Downs

Glass Artwork at Churchill Downs

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On the clubhouse level of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, there is a stunning glass replica of the racetrack created by Craig Colquhoun. Using heat, metal, and glass, this master artist skillfully and successfully constructed 4,000 detailed glass pieces to fit inside the 30-foot racetrack sculpture.

Master of Glass Artistry

Churchill Downs in Glass

Churchill Downs Seating in Glass

Glass Horse Figureines

Down the Stretch

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“Down the Stretch” is the “home stretch” in Thoroughbred Racing. It can also be called the “last leg,” but certainly not as often. The home stretch is the last quarter of a mile to the 8th of a mile of the race and is parallel to the backstretch.

Here are the horses coming down the stretch at Churchill Downs.

Down the Stretch

Track Pony Leading a Race Horse

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Most track ponies at Churchill Downs are thoroughbreds, ex-racehorses. It’s their second chance at life, horses that didn’t run fast enough or got hurt. But they must be level-headed thoroughbreds because they have the same stride as a racehorse.

Track Pony Leading a Race Horse

Two Riding Together

Track Ponies Lead Out

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The slick Thoroughbreds in their colorful saddle cloths at Churchill Downs catch everyone’s eye. That is, until a large, lead pony steps onto the track!

As a track “pony,” such ponies must be calm, confident, and strong to safely lead Thoroughbreds to the starting gate.

Companion Ponies Waiting for Race Horses

Riding Together

“Albino” Horse

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We saw a distinctive horse at the barn at Churchill Downs. “Albino” horses are a color type of horse born white and have pink skin, but they are not true biological albinos. They have slim heads, muscular necks, compact bodies, sloping shoulders, muscular croup, and long tails. Their eyes are blue, dark, or light brown rather than pink. Their hooves are often weak, but they have flat, smooth gait.

Albino Horse

Blue Eye of a Horse

Playing with a Toy

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Although it seems like the horse is rapidly eating straw, the “Hay Ball” provides mental enrichment and stimulation for the horse at the barn at Churchill Downs. It functions as a slow feeder, which makes it perfect to prevent boredom in the stables.

Playing with a Toy

Churchill Downs Stables

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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

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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