When Louisville, Kentucky hosts the Breeders’ Cup in November 2018, thousands of horse racing enthusiasts will flock to the Derby City. The international thoroughbred competition comes to Churchill Downs November 2 and 3. For travelers headed to the Bluegrass state, we have a few special tours available before and after the big races. The exciting long weekend also includes the Breeders’ Cup Festival with parties food and fun! Plan your trip today.
Horse Country Tour
Celebrate Breeders’ Cup Week in Kentucky with a full day in Horse Country. Get up close to past and future horse racing stars and studs at two world-renowned thoroughbred stallion farms. We’ll also make a stop for a local lunch along the way.
Tour on Nov. 1 visits Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud Farm and Pin Oak Stud Farm. Tour on Nov. 4 visits Claiborne Farm and Hermitage Farm. Great news! As of Sept. 17, Triple Crown winning race horse Justify has moved to Coolmore America and may be on view for your Ashford Stud Farm tour!
Best of Kentucky Tour
Experience what makes Kentucky so great as you travel through the rolling hills of the countryside and travel to an award winning thoroughbred stallion farm to see a day in the life of past derby champs. Then explore Bourbon Country as you visit a distillery for a guided tour and bourbon tasting, we’ll also make a stop for a local lunch along the way.
Tour on Nov. 1 visits Claiborne Farm and Buffalo Trace Distillery. Tour on Nov. 4 visits Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud Farm and Buffalo Trace Distillery. Sunday Best of Kentucky tour guests may even get to meet Justify, the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winning horse!
Bourbon Rocks & Ruins Elevated Experience
Bourbon lovers and history buffs will love new elevated experience Bourbon Rocks & Ruins. With behind-the-scenes access at recently excavated O.F.C. Distillery, an in-depth history tour and premium bourbon tastings, it’s a memorable outing not to be missed.
Book Breeders’ Cup Tours
Public tours are limited to 53 guests. The cost is $159 per person Thursday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 4. Tickets for Breeders’ Cup Week public tours can be booked online or by phone at 502-583-1433.
Daily public bourbon tours visiting three bourbon distilleries are also available that Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at $129 per person. Elevated experience Bourbon Rocks & Ruins is $175 per person and only available Nov. 1.
Plan Your Breeders’ Cup Adventure
Want an experience on your own schedule? We offer customized tours to Kentucky bourbon distilleries and horse farms seven days a week. Many of the best bourbon makers have special tours and elevated tastings only available to Mint Julep Tours guests. Reach out to one of our experience coordinators to start planning today.
About the Author – Rachel Nix
Rachel Nix has been Director of Marketing at Mint Julep since 2017. Her extensive bourbon education includes becoming an Executive Bourbon Steward through the Stave & Thief Society and graduating from Woodford Reserve’s Bourbon Academy. She is a Certified Tourism Ambassador and enthusiastic advocate for her adopted hometown of Louisville. When she’s not promoting Mint Julep’s portfolio of southern experiences, she can be found walking her dog or enjoying a drink on a Germantown patio.