Keeneland Reviews

Had a great experience on a morning tour with Mary. Her passion and knowledge of the sport and the track's history made this event a great success for the novice to the horse-racing enthusiast. If you're coming to Lexington for the track, do yourself a favor and book a tour for the ultimate insider's experience - highly recommend.

We ran into some family at the spring meet this weekend. After not getting a grandstand ticket online the day it came avaible we used our general admission tickets to find out we in to walk about. Our group stood in almost every corner before the after three ran came when all went into cover. We then viewed the gift store and found our way through the paddock on the way out when the rain held up a few moments. The place is still beautiful.

It is always a challenge when expectations for a visit are high, as was the case with Keeneland. On this occasion they were surpassed. Our group had a wonderful visit in no small part to the excellent facilities that were only surpassed by the genuinely caring and thoughtful staff.

Simply the best experience we have ever had at a race track. Everyone so friendly and helpful, such beautiful grounds, easy to wager. And the Morning Works tour was terrific. Highly recommended!

Our party of four was blessed to have Mary Perkins as our tour guide. Mary was a fountain of information about Keeneland and every aspect of horse racing. Additionally, it seemed as if Mary knew just about everyone including staff, owners and jockeys at Keeneland.

We were able to visit areas that one would not normally have access to including: the winners circle, jockey room, stables and were even able to get right on the rail to watch a few races.

I highly recommend this tour and would strongly suggest you ask for Mary as your tour guide for an unforgettable experience. Mary is a bundle of energy and it's easy to become infected with her passion for everything Keeneland.

The Keeneland track tour is fantastic! We were able to watch horses working out, and learned about their training and racing regimens. We were also able to interact with one of the outrider horses and pet him. We also toured the grandstand and upper floors, with great views of the surrounding countryside. Keeneland is undergoing a big renovation right now, but that did not hamper our tour. My out of town guests want to come back to see the expanded facilities in 2025!

We had a wonderful time during our tour of keeneland! Mary Perkins-Luketich lead our group of military veterans and spouses on a great behind the scenes look at horse racing. She is so knowledgeable and kind. Mary answered all our questions patiently and expertly. I would recommend this tour for all ages - you will not be disappointed. It is fascinating

I was really empress with the Keenland race experience. It was the Fall Meet. and I like the parade of horses outside before they went on the track. The event was steeped with tradition, like the Kentucky Derby. The women had their "Facinator" hats and a lot of men had sport coats or suits. I will definitely go again.

Thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Keeneland with Carol. Family group with all different ages and everyone enjoyed it. So glad we booked it. Thanks to central Ky tours and Bruce.

Amazing day at the races!!!
We had a great time.

Keeneland race course is steeped in history and is such a welcoming place. All the staff we met were so helpful and genuinely keen to help ensure we had a great day.
The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon watching the racing.
Placing bets was very easy and there were stewards to offer assistance if any was needed.

The Keeneland shop is very well stocked with a wide variety of items which are mid to high end range -, nothing cheap in here but quality goods.

Food and drink options for general ticket admission were quite expensive for what they were and as a captive audience, as you cannot bring your own items in, we had to pay!
14 dollars for a margarita, 12 dollars for a beer, 8 dollars for chilli nachos or a hot dog and finally 4 dollars for a small bottle of water were a bit much in our opinion.

Overall a great day with a few small wins.

Our first time here. We reserved the grandstand seats. I recommend that. We're in our 60s and 70s and can't stand the whole time. George was top notch wiping our seats off and helping us read the $4 race program. We parked "on the hill" for free and were shuttled to the main entrance. Best option since Mr. D has hip problems. The food was wonderful as we enjoyed pork nachos (brisket and chicken also available) and a huge hot dog. Cocktails expensive ($12 for small cup) but the environment was wonderful. We had seats in Section I which was close to the finish line. The horses paraded in front of us as D couldn't walk to the paddock area. The lines were very quick for placing your bets and everyone was very helpful. We'll definitely go back. It brought back many memories.
All the tours were already booked. We did buy tickets last minute online. I'm not sure if you can buy them at the gate or not. Will Call office was easy and quick for ticket pick up. Many people dressed in casual work attire, but also jeans. We arrived around 11:40 and the gates were open so we could take our seats.
This is a very beautiful track. Plus in October the trees were in full color. The grounds are very well kept. Truly a wonderful experience. Minimum bets are only $1 if you don't want to spend much, but want to go for the experience. They do have tables overlooking the paddock area and near the bars/food (which is on all 3 floors). You can sit there for just the $7 entry fee and watch the mounted TVs for the races. Many options to fit many peoples' tastes for viewing the races.

We know nothing about horses and horse racing! Mary gave us a wonderful tour of Keenland on a gorgeous day in August! Who knew what a beautiful site--and very accessible to the "regular public" by design.

A great learning experience and opportunity to get up close to horses and view Keenland from The Winner's Circle! We loved it! ...and now? I think we'll be back!!

First time i visited Keeneland was on a family trip back in 2019. It was fun and very laid back. Never been on Spring, only Fall Meet and i love it.
This time was even better. We got a table in advance at Phoenix Room. If you want to pay face value you have to purchase online the day/time they release them as they fly away immediately.
Looking in hindsight we learned that Phoenix Room is not ideal as it faces the Paddock, you want to be at Lexington/Kentucky Room! But it is still fairly convenient to just walk to the balcony each race to watch, it just gets a bit crowded there.
Don't get me wrong, we had an amazing time at Phoenix, we ate VERY well and the service from the staff was excellent. It's just that if you want to watch the races from the comfort of your seat you must be on one of the other Rooms.
Phoenix Room offered a delicious and vast buffet, which was included in the price. The drinks were charged separately and you can either order at the bar or just ask your server and she will bring it to your table. It also offers a Betting Window so you don't have to go downstairs to place your wagers.
The crowd at Keeneland is dressed to the nines. Women wearing fancy dresses and hats, men dressing jackets and slacks or even suits and ties.
I've been to other major racing events (Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs...) and let me tell you that price/quality this is the best one of them all to attend.
Might as well make a full weekend out of it and visit some bourbon distilleries or attend a UK basketball game or just explore what Lexington has to offer but if you like horse racing you must visit Keeneland.

Enjoyed watching the horses do their workout in the morning. The grounds are beautiful and everyone was so nice and welcoming. Go check it out!!

First off, be prepared to be at your computer at 9:00 a.m. the day tickets go on sale. Know in advance what dining room or what seating you wish to have, and the date you wish to go. If you plan to have dining room reservations and are planning on going more than one day, have someone else at another computer at the same time to purchase the tickets you wish for the second day. Reason being ..... the track sells out within ten minutes of when tickets go on sale that initial day for ticket sales for all dining room areas every day of the meet. I am not joking. Our tickets were for The Equestrian Room. For The Equestrian Room you cannot pick the exact table you would like to have unlike other race tracks. Our first day there we had a terrible table. There are only really seven tables out of over hundreds that area not good. We asked that we have a better table the next day, which we were given. The track is very clean and well organized. This also extended into The Equestrian Dining Room. The food was good/very good. Service very good. You are just steps away to leave the dining room and find yourself right outside at the finish line. The prices for this dining room were very reasonable and at the time we were there there was not a minimum you had to spend on food and/or beverage. If you want a table for for two and there are not any you do have to pay for all four chairs at a table for four even if it is just the two of you. The Equestrian Room also has a casual dress code, but there were people there "dressed up". The other dining rooms do have have dress code requirements. Parking is free, first come first serve, so my suggestion is to arrive by 11:30 during the week and even earlier on Friday/Saturday/Sunday race days for the paved parking area as the track is totally full on those days. Keeneland opened at 11:30 a.m. with first race at 1:00 p.m. when we were there. Shorter race days on Wednesday and Thursday. We will return, oh yes. The only disadvantage with being on ground level is that you cannot see the whole track when the race is running, but there is a large screen you can view in the infield. There are monitors throughout The Equestrian Room if you just want to remain seated inside while the race is running.

Beautiful facility that is just so clean and open with a very friendly staff. They only race in April and October and the cards aren't overly long (8 races the day I went). If you enjoy racing or just a day outdoors in the fall or spring I highly recommend visiting this showplace of racing

We went in the morning as part of a tour and got to see horses training on the track. So exciting and beautiful!

Mary was the best tour guide. Keenland is an amazing place to visit!! Race season starts next month, April and more races in the Fall. They also have horse sales through the year.

First let me give a shout out to Mary Perkins in customer service. She went above and beyond to help me organize our day.
We arrived at the track at 7:30 to watch the horses work out. So many beautiful horses up close. It was free!
Everyone we encountered said either “hello”, “good morning” , or “welcome to Keeneland!”. Even several of the riders said hello. After that we took the backstretch tour with our guide Clark. We were able to see the clubhouse and barns. Next we ate lunch at one of the first come first serve tables on the second and third floor. They over look the paddock areas. The corn beef sandwich did not disappoint. Again, friendly service everywhere. Then we learned how to bet from the betologist. We placed our bets and took our seats. We also loved seeing the horses and jockeys in the paddock. A highlight was standing by rail as the horses flew from the staring gate. Today was what I dreamed about when I thought of a visit to Kentucky.

Our 30-member senior choir visited Keeneland this fall during the Yearling Auction. If you have never witnessed a thoroughbred horse auction it is an experience you will long remember.

We also observed the morning workout for horses and jockeys at the track. Our tour guide from Kentucky Horse Tours taught us a lot about thoroughbred racing and its history.

Highly recommended!

We visited Keeneland on a Saturday morning and had an incredible tour! There were only 4 of us at 8:45 am. Tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable on Keeneland, auctions, and racing in general. We had a fantastic experience, and even though we are from out of town, we will definitely be back for the races in April or October. Definitely a must see when you are in the Lexington area!

We stopped here while doing some of the bourbon trail. We were amazed at how close we could get to the horses and track! Much more intimate than Churchill Downs. They are expanding the campus which will include more dining and entertainment spaces. Classy place and more accessible than other places

Take this tour! It's definitely worth your time and money. Our tour guide, Lynn, made the morning so enjoyable with her Keeneland knowledge and stories. Seeing the horses work out while standing rail side is very thrilling! If you are a horse lover, don't miss this experience!

The track is beautiful, and the grounds are well maintained. You have a great view no matter where you are, whether you're sitting in the grandstands or standing in the paddock.

We knew to plan for rain, so we were still able to enjoy the Morning Workout Tour. The only bummer was that the track was so muddy/wet that we only got to see one horse go by. It was fun learning about this racetrack - first time for us at any racetrack. We'd love to come back for the Yearling Sale and, hopefully, a dry day :)

This is a must if you're in town for the horses! Go early in the morning - it's free - and watch the thoroughbreds exercise; what a treat! Up close and personal, the grounds are beautiful and the Kitchen on the grounds boasts great food and lots of it. It's the first place we would go again.

We were told that Keeneland is among the very best horse racetracks in America. They were right!!! Unforgettable! A once in a lifetime experience. This is a must-see.

We were a group of 4 couples visiting Keeneland for the first time. Mary Perkins was such a wonderful and informative contact person and made our trip a five star! Thank you Mary!

The facility is beautiful and so well maintained. The staff inside and out are very friendly and helpful. The horses are gorgeous, and the races are so exciting.

Keeneland is just wonderful! We had an excellent tour of the facility with the lovely Tour Manager, Mary Perkins. She is so warm and hospitable, knowledgeable and patient with her answers to all of our questions. Her excitement and stories made the tour so fun for all of us! The following morning we arrived early, as Mary recommended, to watch the trainers and horses practice on the track and it was amazing to stand so close to them as they ran by us! We will never forget our time at Keeneland and hope to return again. Thank you Mary for your very warm welcome!

Great time and even won a few bucks! Our first time there. Really nice track, and the people that work there are so friendly and helpful. Since it was nearing Halloween, they had the Headless Horseman ride up the track - the picture is of him being shown on the large monitor. Fun time!

It is totally open to the public, so drive through, eat in the Track Kitchen and take the tour. And, we love the cup we bought at the gift shop!

It's been quite a while since I'd been to the horse races and was very impressed by Keeneland. Parking and exiting was quick and easy. The facility is in great condition and kept clean during the entire day. I didn't witness a single problem with any patrons or staff, which is kind of surprising in this day and age. Our group had a great day.

Do this tour! Don’t hesitate and book it now! Mike was so incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and clearly proud of Keeneland. We couldn’t have been happier and more amazed at the grounds and track. We watched them breezing racehorses and learned so much about the history, there. This is a MUST DO in Lexington!

Keeneland epitomizes all that is lovely about the horse country of Kentucky. The grounds are beautiful and the horses magnificent. The elegant limestone buildings are rich with history, yet updated with every modern convenience. The atmosphere is both genteel and welcoming. Above all, the staff is next level. Our tour guide, Mary, was extremely knowledgeable, kind and professional. We had only planned a brief stop on our way through Bourbon Trail. Instead, our tour of Keeneland was a highlight of our trip.

My wife and I enjoyed a 3 day visit to the Bluegrass Country of Kentucky. Keeneland is a magnificent facility. We were encouraged to go very early on a July morning to see the morning workouts. It was indeed a highlight. During the heat of the summer the workouts begin early. We arrived at 6:30 am and the action was everywhere....on the track and in the stables area. Everyone has a smile on their face and is so welcoming. Keeneland is an open facility that does not charge an admission fee. So bring some coffee with you or better yet, go to the Track Kitchen on site and enjoy the show.

Spent two days at Keeneland and had a great time. Fall Meet Horse racing at a beautiful track! Staff was helpful and everything was so clean and attended to. Overall wonderful time and experience. A must see if you are in Lexington during race season.

This place is so BEAUTIFUL. I can't say enough about this track. You can take a guided tour or print out a map and do a self guided tour for free. You can even watch the jockey's and the horses do workouts in the morning. Many movies have also been filmed here. For example, Seabiscuit, Dreamer and Secretariat. If you like horses or even if you don't, you'll love this track. I'm no horse person, but after visiting Keeneland, I now LOVE and appreciate HORSES !!!

The tour was above and beyond what we expected. Jan is such an amazing tour guide and learned so much about horse racing and Keeneland specifically. Highly recommended!!

Had such a fun day at the races! Really love how Keeneland has maintained it's historic significance and traditions. We didn't leave ahead, but enjoyed every minute!

We had an excellent tour and enjoyed it very much! We would highly recommend taking this tour! The grounds and horses were beautiful! Thanks!

We were passing through and decided to make a random stop and so glad we did. To be able to walk and explore the grounds with no distractions or others around was quite amazing. Sitting in the grandstands and walking through the betting area you could almost hear the roars and sounds of race day. It was like walking back in time and experiencing a piece of history. The grounds are beautiful and the facility is amazing. Wish we had been here in the morning to watch practice or eat at the Track Kitchen (which we hear is awesome). Would love to come back for a meet and get the full experience. So if you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and stop in and explore.

My husband and I visited Kentucky over Columbus Day weekend, and as horse racing fans, a trip to Keeneland was a must. We were absolutely impressed with the entire experience!
The facilities are stunning, and the Winners’ Circle is easily accessible, allowing us to see the horses and jockeys up close before and after each race - a real treat. The gift shop was fantastic (we may have spent a small fortune there because I couldn’t resist all the great items, haha), and the fancy drinks near the Winners’ Circle added a nice touch of luxury to the day.
We also took part in the Morning Works tour, which was both informative and fun. A great bonus: they hand out gift shop coupons when you check in for the tour.
We loved everything about our visit and can’t wait to come back!

Mary Perkins gave us the tour and experience of a lifetime at Keenland! Her passion and love for Keenland shines through! She went above and beyond for us and made us fall in love with the Keenland! Every person we encountered there was lovely. We will definitely remember this trip for a very long time!

Visited Keeneland for the first time. All staff was friendly and helpful. Track is very nice, probably could use some more tv's and also parking isn't easy. Plan ahead.

We first visited this with a horse farm tour then returned on our own the next morning to watch the horses train (5:30-10:00). We found the first day interesting but really enjoyed watching the horses run. This is a very clean establishment with very helpful employees.

Unique, informative, one of a kind experience! We were shown a behind the scenes look of the grounds, with tons of information that we would’ve never gotten had it not been for our kind, patient, and friendly tour guide Mary. It was such a fun time and would recommend coming yearly! We will definitely be back !

We came here with a local,whom knew about the area.We were able to walk about and have a tour by him.It is quite a beautiful spot and a nice ride from Lexington.We are now looking forward to our seasonal visit.

We love spending the day at Keeneland. Great atmosphere, always clean and beautiful. General admission is only 5 bucks and the people watching is worth every penny. We prefer grand stand seating just because it can be very crowded at times.

Got to visit and do a morning work out tour-a private little tour that took us all around the park and our tour Guide-her name was-boy I’m so bad with names!- I want to say Diane- it started with a D! But she was oh so sweet-she told is it was only her second tour-very knowledgeable and well spoken. We got to see some trainers and jockeys do their morning work out with the horses and tour the ground in general. Very well maintained area and super friendly workers. Though be warned-their little merch store is EXPENSIVE though that should be a given lol-since it is such a high end place. Also visited the Kentucky horse park- Keeneland blew them out of the water so high that it is not even fair to compare the two! Will for sure being going back to see a race and sale in person one day!!

Not only beautiful horses, but beautiful grounds. Rolling hills, quaint setting. Wonderful restaurants located where you can make your bets, watch on the monitor, or step outside to watch the race. Lovely paddock area, centrally located where you can catch a look at the beautiful animals, and study for your bet. Track is only open in April and October. Box seats, standing area and bleachers. Lots of betting booths. Call early if you would like a restaurant reservation. If sold out, keep trying. You can wait at the door for a possible opening, as there are many cancellations. Always remember to bet on the Gray! Enjoy.

My husband and I didn't attend on race day, but we were able to experience the Morning Work tour, and we were so happy we did! This tour was an intimate experience that allowed us to see the horses in action and up close. Our guide was exceptional, and answered all of our questions. We learned so much, and we left happy that we booked this specific tour.

The tour was amazing! From the time we arrived at the check-in window, until the tour ended, it was a perfect experience. When we arrived, I realized I had booked our tour for the wrong date. Instead of rejecting our Sunrise Tour reservation, Mary added us to the Morning Works tour that was going to leave within the hour. Her friendly approach to our dilemma, and professional kindness to provide a solution to my error, will not be forgotten. I was impressed by the southern hospitality and "everything is fine" attitude. While we waited for the tour to start, we walked the grandstand and watched the horses training on the track. Make sure you allow time to do the same. It is worth an early morning to watch the trainers work the horses and to hear the thoroughbreds run past in the quiet. Much different than watching a race with a crowd and noise behind you. Our guide for the tour, LeAnn (wrong spelling?), was excellent! We remarked that there wasn't a question she couldn't answer, including a question about which airlines flew into Bluegrass Airport! She was a wealth of information regarding Keeneland, the area surrounding the racetrack, general thoroughbred information, thoroughbred history, Derby winners, etc. After the tour, she stopped to chat as she was leaving the track. You could tell that these ladies truly care about Keeneland and the guests that visit. The Morning Works tour did not disappoint. Although I grew up in Woodford County (next to Keeneland), I learned a good deal of new information about the track and the area. My group of six unanimously agree that this tour is worth scheduling. We look forward to the Sunrise Tour during our next visit home. Note, this is a walking tour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottled water.

Jim and I had a wonderful afternoon touring the grounds at Keeneland. A beautiful place and certainly a highlight from our trip to Kentucky. A special thank you to Mary Perkins for all her assistance in making our visit memorable.
Susan York

Getting to see the horses up close and personal was wonderful. Except for the heat it was an amazing day!

We have been there three times over the last few years and always have fun.
We enjoy seeing the riders up in the stable area and getting a good look at the horses running for that race. There are many attendants ready to help with any questions like seating , betting etc. We live in a state that does not have horse racing so it is always a pleasure to enjoy something different like Keeneland for a change. You can sit in the covered grandstand area or enjoy the dining room and general admission sections if you desire. It's a shame to only enjoy the track twice a year in spring and fall for a few short weeks because it is a fun place worthy of a visit for most of the year. There are food stands inside the clubhouse area and you can enjoy a beer or other beverages while deliberating on taking a chance on buying a ticket for the horse of your choice.

The Morning Works tour was great. Beautiful facility. Got to see gorgeous horses during their morning exercise and a tour of the facility. Very interesting and informative even if you aren't a racing fan.... but even more so if you are or just love horses. Go early in morning to see the horses as they are done exercising about 10 due to heat.

The day was perfect! We participated in the Keeneland Owners' Experience Tour with Carol Sue. Her knowledge was extensive and there was never a question she couldn't answer with a warm smile and in-depth knowledge. I highly recommend the tour to anyone that yearns to learn more about horse racing and Keeneland.

What a tour! Our guide was Mary, the tour coordinator at Keeneland. Mary seems to know everyone and everything about this facility, horses and staff. She was excellent in keeping the group together so we could all see and hear her wealth of knowledge. Mary will make you want to come back....don't miss this tour! If your not a horse lover before the tour, you will be afterwards ! I think the early morning ,watching the place come to life has to be the best!

Beautiful countryside, friendly staff, FEEL the horses run by, and get some tasty food. We had general admission. We wore nice jeans and a sweater on a weekday and fit in nicely. There were many that were on the prowl as well and dressed accordingly...

Be sure to have your camera ready! Out of the gates in a blink without notice and full on the whole way thereafter.

My company and I had the pleasure of meeting one of Keeneland's absolute best employees on Monday, September 25th! Mary Perkins, the head tour guide, made our day with her enthusiasm and kind heart. After facing a disappointment when traffic really derailed what was supposed to be a fun day, my company and I wandered into Keeneland hoping to see a workout, or just to peek at the track. What we got instead was Ms. Perkins' extraordinary tour skills and impressive knowledge of the history of the track and grounds, down to the beautiful trees placed around the campus. We ended up having a truly exceptional and unforgettable experience, being shown around and visiting places we would never have been able to see otherwise.

Keeneland was a beautiful track, well-maintained, updated, clean, and very unique. With Mary Perkins as your tour guide, though, it could have very well been a run-down, two-stable farm and she would still have you invested and engaged in every inch. We will certainly be making our way back to see the trees when they change color and watch the horses next time!

We had an incredible morning tour with our guide, Mike. Learning about the history of the racetrack was fascinating and we loved watching the horses train. We love the fact that anyone can come in (for free) to self tour or just watch the morning training sessions. Hope to return in the future.

Keelband is absolutey beautiful. we went for the auction and really enjoyed ourselves. Cant wait to go the Breeders Cup!

We got to pet a few horses!! Even one of the trainers on the track stopped to talk to us! Free and open to public, it was amazing!

We just happened to be visiting Kentucky on the first day of racing - didnt grab tickets because they were $140 each - watched warm ups, track prep, and a couple races from outside but right near the fence - we loved it!

Taking a tour of Keeneland was wonderful! Got to see the racetrack from a different perspective. Sales pavillion was also great! Tour guide was absolutely wonderful! Highly recommend!

Stephanie, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about Keeneland and all things related to horses. She had the answer to all our questions and I learned a lot.

Although we only live 2 1/2 hours away, my wife and I had never visited Keeneland for a day of racing. So, we planned an overnight trip during the fall meet n the middle of the week to avoid a large weekend crowd on our first trip. Got grandstand seats in advance in case the weather sucked. Turned out to be a beautiful fall day, so we spent the whole day on our feet walking between trackside, the paddock, the betting windows, and the numerous food/drink vending areas. By the way, kudos to the bloody mary stand bartender near the paddock. Keeneland is a remarkably beautiful place. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Got into numerous conversations with staff and patrons. Incredible atmosphere. Dress ranged from duded up to respectably casual. I like that its one of the places I can wear a nice hat and fit in. There are numerous venues within the facility to watch the races depending on how much you want to spend and how far in advance you reserve. Now that we know our way around the next trip will be even better. Oh yes, we plan to visit twice a year for the spring and fall meets.

Amazing day at the race track. We have never been to a horse track in our lives (65+ years). This was a real blast. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. For the admission coast of less than $10 each, we had free rain over the majority of the establishment. The racing was fun and so was the betting. Everyone was so very helpful.

Derby Day at Keenland was a ball! Unfortunately, there was a bit of a rain out but there are plenty of seats indoors. Drink prices are fair considering the venue. Even if you are not into watching the races, people watching is a blast. Expect a hike from the parking area.

This place is amazing. The horse races are fun. You can view the horse up close and watch them before they enter the track. The facility is clean and food not so overpriced. Betting was easy. You can watch the race from many locations so you are not stuck in one place. It is a must visit.

Great behind the scenes tour. Felt like I was a VIP from the moment it started. This is the only way to see Keeneland for first timers. Thank you Mary!

We had a great experience on the morning workout tour at Keeneland. Our guide, Nick, was very knowledgeable and informative about horse racing and the history of Keeneland. We enjoyed a tour of the winners circle and clubhouse, as well!

We stopped by on a whim and couldn’t get a tour, but we were able to wander the whole facility for free. It was just open to the public. Very cool to get to walk out to the stands and track and we’re going to try to see the morning warmups one morning on the practice track.

Keeneland is classy, beautiful and fun!
Anytime we have a chance to attend we are there.
It's clean and not crowded.

I recently located to KY from MA, and it has been an awesome experience! I love it here! Keeneland was an experience, especially being that I missed the KY Derby this year. Keeneland is similar I’ve heard. The horses are beautiful, and well taken care of, people have this respect for them (although others opinions may differ if your animal activist.)

The attire was fashionable, fun and festive! Lots of drinking, gambling, and good times. I’m certainly going back next year for sure! I encourage YOU to go and have fun! #Live☺️ #Horses🐎

*Also, children can go, but it is more for a teenager than children. I saw some babies there (but I mean what can they do, ha! Sit in ya stroller and be happy!) Besides that, it is more for adults period.

Exceptional visit today through Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm tours. Sensational history, impeccable grounds, friendly staff...great view of the horses and learned about the history of this great venue.

Amazing landscaping, and beautiful buildings. Even if you aren't interested in horse racing, this place is worth seeing. And if you come to the races, expect the people to be welcoming and super helpful. The person at the information booth spent 15 minutes with us, telling us everything about the place and giving all kinds of tips for enjoying our day. When I went to the wrong place to get a mint julep, the bartender carefully directed me to the correct spot. One tip--people dress up go to here, you don't need to, but it would be fun to make a fancy day of it.

What a wonderful tour! It’s a great way to see the “behind the scenes” at Keeneland. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and informative, made the tour quite interesting. We visited during the November horse sale; we actually got to be up close to the horses and witness an auction.
A must do if you are in the Lexington area.

Went for the morning workout. Our guide Julie was so knowledgeable and engaging, she made the entire experience fantastic. As someone who went with no particular agenda or experience, it was a highlight of my trip

Beautiful grounds and facility. All of the staff we met throughout the day were incredibly friendly. Line for the gift shop seemed to always be long, but it did move fast. Once in, it was very crowded, hard to really take time to move around easily to take a good look around. We bought a parking spot in the paved Green Lot, which was a shorter, easier walk than the free hill parking. We had reserved Grandstand seats in Section A, which had easy access to the trackside and paddock area out a side door, and easy access to a bar, betting window, and betting kiosks....and was near the finish line. Burgers, burgoo, and hot dogs were good quality. There was not a huge variety of food choices, but what we tried was good. Drinks from the bar were small, but well mixed. Our party of four greatly enjoyed our day.

Our guide was very knowledgeable, informative, & personal. She took her time explaining and showing us the grounds, horses, equipment, etc.

I love this place. I normally "donate" too much money due to being horrible at betting on horses, but the food is good, the beer is cold, and overall, it just has a great atmosphere about it.

Went on a Saturday. Always packed. Go early and walk around before the crowds get there. Take in the sites. Watch the ponies and the people. Come dressed up or casual. Bring extra cash to place wagers on the ponies that speak to you. It’s always a great time. Feels like an amusement park.

Keeneland is one of my husband and my favorite places to go.

We never miss a fall or spring meet although we had to this year because of Covid.

Keeneland has managed to maintain a tradition that has been around for many years.

The track is beautiful and well taken care of. Keeneland maintains its tradition of excellence in thoroughbred racing and is a tradition we look forward to each year.

They have a beautiful gift shop selling everything from most elegant clothing to fun souvenirs to remind you of your visit.

There are many different ways to enjoy your visit ranging from indoor dining ranging from pricy and elegant to casual. You do need to make reservations far in advance for dining room accommodations.

Keeneland is an overall wonderful experience and a must do for any racing enthusiast.

We visited around 9 am and were able to walk right up to the rail of the track to see the horses working out. If you enter through gate 3 you can see the stalls and back area too.

My wife and I booked a Keeneland's Morning Works Tour and loved the tour. The tour guide is great, the price is very reasonable.

If you get there early, around 7am, you won't regret it. Bring binoculars, by the way. They start out just walking the horses, then trotting, then racing two or three at a time. I thought I would stay for an hour but I was there for at least three. It just doesn't get old, even if you don't feel like exploring around the stadium and grounds.

It is free and was much more fun than my visit to the horse farms.

A friend and I got an amazing tour of Keeneland from a guide named Mary. She was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and I learned about things I never new existed! I’ve been on tours of Churchill Downs, Belmont, Pimlico and Ocala and by far, I enjoyed Keeneland the most. Don’t get me wrong. Those other tracks are great. But Keeneland has quite a bit more elegance and class than the others. The tour guide was equally as classy and if anyone is in Keeneland, make sure to go on the tour.

Beautiful grounds but since there wasn’t a race going on, we just walked around and checked out the empty track and stands.

We had so much fun touring Keeneland and would highly recommend it for every age. Lianne was our tour guide and she was a wealth of knowledge.

Comments/Questions: Went in to grandstand on 4th November and
excellent day. On 5th went in to Silk Lawn Marquee (470 dollars
per head) what a shambles. Arrived 10.30 no coffee. Seating
letter for Tables non-visible. Finally got seat next to end of
marquee where the bottom blew up continuously until it was fixed
about 4 hours later. Screen froze for almost 2 hours mid
afternoon. Went out to the course to watch a screen about 200
yards away and with no course commentary nobody had a clue as to
what horse had won the race. Bottled beer ran out in the
afternoon. Buffet was adequate. Overall a very disappointing day.
Unless you can get in to the grandstand area save your money and
watch on your TV at home. I have videos available but was unable
to load in the required format but will post on social media when
I get back to the UK to hopefully prevent others from wasting
their money.

This place and our experience here was absolutely amazing. We went on a tour with the best tour guide named Mary! This race course was full of historical landmarks and beautiful architecture. Watching the horses was so entertaining and the gift shop was stunning. This was a 10/10 fun experience that I would recommend to anyone!

Our out of state friends landed at Bluegrass Airport earlier than expected. We had an hour to spare, so I wanted to show them a part of what makes Kentucky so special - Keeneland. When we arrived at the welcome center, we were greeted by Mary Perkins, Tour Coordinator. She graciously gave us an unscheduled, superb behind-the-scene tour of Keeneland. Race days are always exciting, but the private tour was unbelievable!! Although the history, the groomed winterized track, and the beautiful grounds were impressive, her southern hospitality made our day!!

This is a fun experience for a day. We came to one if the Fall 2921 meet days. We had lunch in the Phoenix Room. The staff are very nice and helpful.
Always fun to see the horses up close in the Paddock area and the races are exciting

This was definitely a bucket list experience for me. I was there on opening day with a General Admission ticket, and the weather was pretty bad. Learning that the weather was going to be bad AFTER I purchased the G.A. ticket, I really fretted about how the experience would be, but it was great. In fact, if I ever go again, I might purchase a G.A. ticket again, just to have the freedom to roam around. I was amazed (and pleased) that tickets were as inexpensive as they were, and parking was free. I was there before the gates opened, and was able to park close to the clubhouse. It made for a VERY long day, but was well worth it. I recommend taking a tour of the facility before attending the races, preferably in the morning so you can see the jockeys train.

The entire atmosphere was outstanding, I had a great time. I got to view the parade of horses also the gift shop has a nice selection. The best part is viewing the horse races from the private box, having lunch and having fun betting on the races.

Got there early so we could watch the workouts. Such beautiful animals. Went on a tour with Carol Sue as our guide. She was very knowledgeable and we got to see the sales area, and behind the scenes stuff. Must see if in the area. It’s a beautiful track and setting even on a cold, morning.

This was my third visit to Keeneland, it gets better every year. I usually go to photograph, but this time I actually placed bets and won a few races. I would recommend visiting this wonderful horserace track.

It has a lot better KY feel than Churchill Downs in Louisville. Its in a nice area with plenty of parking and a great backdrop.

My visit to Keeneland was better than expected. I was able to stroll the grounds and the at a leisurely pace. As this is a National Historic Landmark, the grounds that are open to the public every day. Tours of morning workout are available, though they were early and I did not take one. I did see a number of horses running the track. There are also lectures and other programs. You can wander the grandstand, dining rooms and the sales pavilion. There were no sales or races the day I was there, but I did enjoy the art for sale in the pavilion. The parking area does have some hills, and handicap parking spaces were not obvious. There is a gift shop and a kitchen. It is truly a beautiful place and worth exploring. Best of all it's free!

Just spent an hour walking the grounds but a wonderful experience. We didn't know it but there was a horse sale in progress the day we visited - will host the Breeder's Cup later this fall.

Amazing Tour Guide, knowledgeable, made us feel welcome and the premises are stunning. Thank You! The best tour guide I have personally experienced.

All the reviews are right on target. We were lucky enough to get teacher appreciation day tickets. The facility is nice. We ended up coming home with $25.00 more than we came with! Thank you Keeneland this teacher had a first experience and a blast!

Carol was a very congenial and informative tour guide for the morning workout tour. The Keeneland facility is pristine. Carol answered many questions and provided tips for anyone considering attending the Fall or Spring meet. There were many horses out on the track going through various training workouts. The exercise riders were very friendly and greeted us as they passed by. We also got to meet one of the resident Kentucky Derby winning trainers. A wonderful experience for families, couples, or groups.

Clark did an excellent job showing us around and was very knowledgeable about the track and the original owner of the property.His story about the Queen Elizabeth winner’s circle was interesting. His knowledge of horses and the trainers that were on the track that morning was great. The story of the original selling the the group that finished the track was informative. I like the story of the original horse stalls that are now storage closets. I took a picture and I can imagine it with the horses putting their heads out of the stalls. Your improvements are looking great. I cannot wait to come back during racing months and enjoy the new changes.

Horse racing in a beautiful setting, awesome, the venue is great, lots of seating and you can get up close to the horses before the race.

Beautiful place to visit!! Fun, fun time. Loved it!! It's a must if in Lexington, KY!! Such great history in horse racing.

Not content with waiting until the races started, I took an early visit to the track to watch some of the horses work.

The main track is open 5:30 -10am (with two breaks 7-7:30 and 8:30-8am) & the training polytrack is open 5:30 - 11am (no breaks) 7 days a week. There is no need to pre-book parking or entry, and both are free.

I parked up by the Track Kitchens (sadly not enough time to eat there, but I heard that they have great food) and walked up through the centre of the yards to the track.

Everyone I met was cheerful and polite, even the work riders said good morning!

I watched a few lots breeze, before heading over to the Keeneland shop, which boasts a wide variety of goods from clothing and hats to stickers and pins.

I quickly drove back home to shower and change before collecting my friends on route and returning to the racecourse for the first of 10 races at 12:30, following the last race there were Sales starting at 18:30.

Keeneland have race day logistics nailed, there are two lanes in and out with next to no queuing, we were dropping off the car to valet parking and with an invisible (black light ink) stamp on the back of our hands were sat at our table above the parade ring in no time. The views were amazing, with live screens at every angle and the stands a short walk to see some spectacular finishes. The menu was full of delicious food offerings with an additional hot buffet if required. Jewel and Savannah were attentive and our glasses were never empty. Barbara brought us betting luck and we all had a fantastic day.

I can’t wait to return next year!

One of the most gorgeous things about Keeneland is the accessibility to horse racing. Being allowed to stroll up to the fence and watch and listen to the horses breeze in the morning, listening to the trainers joke with each other and say good morning to you, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE JUST A STRANGER WITH A CAMERA on a tour is exceptional. I love getting the story of Keeneland, what the horses/jockeys/trainers are doing, and having a knowledgeable guide to ask those questions to was invaluable. Our group happened to be small so it was really intimate and getting to go to places I'll NEVER see while the actual races are happening is PRET-TY cool!!

It was a beautiful fall day and what better place to spend it that outdoors watching the horses! We had a good time with friends, we had a great day, and we were even able to enjoy our favorite drinks while doing it.

Just love Keeneland, it is so pretty and the quality of horses, jockies and trainers can't be beat.
However, while admission price has remained reasonable and parking is free (although gate access has become restricted), the prices for food/beverages has escalated drastically. Won't be able to enjoy one of our favorite places if prices continue to escalate. What fun would it be without being able to enjoy burgoo and a brew😧

Great tour. Mike was so informative and friendly. The grounds were beautiful and the buildings were amazing. So much history!!

Keeneland is awesome! This is a beautiful track and extremely clean. No guarantee to win money, but it is so much fun. Also, while visiting, be sure to eat at the Track Kitchen... it is a "real" experience.

I picked up a friend flying in from Orlando at 8:15am at the LEX/Bluegrass airport. I didn't have a plan for her 1st morning visit so on a whim I pulled into Keeneland so she could at least see how beautiful this track is. It was 30 something degrees, we walked up to the tour counter hoping to purchase 2 tickets. Sold out (bum) A lady behind the counter overheard our conversation asked us if we could wait 10 min and meet her under the Rolex clock. Sure. Well I have to say that WHIM turn was one of the best WHIM turns I've made. Mary Perkins Tour Director escorted us around areas of the track with fascinating stories we probably would not have ever heard..I can't praise/thank her enough for going that EXTRA MILE making my friends 1st morning and 1st trip to KY a perfect example of Southern Hospitality.

There fall season closed, they were preparing for a breeders sales. We were given a map at the welcome center and told we could go anywhere we wanted - “act like you own the place”, so, we did! We explored the track, grandstand, barns- everything. Super cool!

Our guide was so knowledgeable and we loved walking the beautiful grounds. The highlight was watching the horses on the training track!

This was our favorite thing we did. They grounds are absolutely stunning and to get see the horses practicing was just incredible. We will definitely be visiting again soon.

They were preparing for the Breeders' Cup when we toured. The facility is amazing and looks just like the movies! It was fun to watch the jockeys exercise the horses on the tracks.

What an amazing day! The entire Keeneland experience was wonderful. Quick shuttle service from parking. An expert Bet-ologist gave a refresher course in betting. Our seats in the covered grandstand were perfect - we could see the entire race. We were in Section J which is fairly close to the finish line. The cost of everything from entry to drinks and food was reasonable. The entire complex was really clean for the number of people there. And every staff member that we interacted with was so friendly. We had the best time!

Keeneland is such a special place! The Morning Works Tour was an excellent way to learn about Keeneland. Our guide was informative and interesting. She took time to answer all our questions. It is a lot of fun to watch the horses up close during their workouts. Everyone there was exceptionally friendly and breakfast at the track kitchen was delicious and reasonably priced. Kids and grownups alike had a wonderful time! We are already looking forward to coming back someday.

The grounds are beautiful. We stopped by mid November and were able to walk around inside and outside the grounds. Free parking. Ended up witnessing the thoroughbred auction which was fascinating (free entry). There were paid tours available but we didn't have time. Highly recommend stopping by even if it's just for a quick visit.

Tailgating on property with shuttle bus access to grandstand if so desired! Why leave, BYOB, food, chairs, tents. Food trucks. Betting tents open with large screen viewing in the patio area. Come early, stay late. Live music.

We were welcomed by our tour guide, Bill, for the morning tour. He was genuine, kind, and full of information! As we walked the tour he added valuable information that only he could add because he was a former Veterinarian for the track. He was extremely patient with my plethora of questions and made it one of the highlights of our trip to Kentucky. It was well worth the price, matter of fact it was a bargain for what Bill gave us. Even though there were only a spattering of trainers on the track, it was amazing to see the beauty of these horses…and the trainers were more than willing to stop for pictures, or for a quick question.

I would highly recommend this experience - and this is coming from someone who knew absolutely nothing about horse racing, and was initially dragged along by my wife! She was right again…I hope she doesn’t read this review!!

Really memorable trip to the wonderful Keeneland track, Club House and facilities recently. Shout out to Mary Perkins ourTour Manager, for providing a thoroughly professional, educational and engaging experience, not to be missed if in the Kentucky area!

Keeneland is phenominal. The staff are all very accomodating and nice. We took the backstretch tour with Phil as our guide. What an awesome tour. Phil was so knowledgeable and took the time to answer any and all questions our group had. The grounds are like a huge park. The area is clean and well kept. The atmosphere is very relaxing, again like spendind a day at a huge park. The area is not commercialized at all. And best of all it's suits people of all ages! Adults and children alike are welcome and there's something for everyone. No matter if you bet the horses, want to have a great meal and just want to spend the day taking in all the horses. I highly recommend visiting Keeneland if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

As a small child growing up in Kentucky, I always knew that Keenland a magical place, but had never had the opportunity to visit. We took the exercise tour in the morning and watched the horses run by us only a few feet away. We were trackside in the winner circle. Our guide was fantastic. He provided an overview of the history of the track and was very knowledgable. We were even able to see the original clubhouse, which was a treat! A great way to start your day on the bourbon trail!

Paul gave a great tour of the Morning Works. It was a very interesting tour and we had very little prior knowledge about horse racing. The tour made us want to return in the spring for a race!! Paul even went the extra mile to show us the horse auctions. Very interesting to watch.

We love Keenlabd it is the beautiful race track. The tour guide as amazing. If your in the area take the tour this is the 2nd time we have been here and do the tour each time we come.

Our family had the most wonderful time at Keeneland during the fall meet. The highlight was a tour given by Mary Perkins-Luketich. We got to stand inside the paddock and watch the horses walk before being mounted while Mary explained and answered questions. Then we got to walk behind the horses to the track as if we were owners. We got to watch a race from the winners circle and met the bugler (he is real - we had been debating). We got to watch up close as the winner came in and was photographed and got our picture with the winning jockey. All the while, Mary was explaining how things worked and answering questions. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and generous with her time. This was an absolutely magical experience.

After our tour, we enjoyed the rest of the day sitting together at tables upstairs in the shade, enjoying great food and drinks, learning about handicapping, placing bets and watching the races. We had gone once before without betting and enjoyed it, but betting really made it more fun. We only placed small dollar bets, but it was so fun trying to choose which horses to bet on and cheering them on each race.

We live in Florida and South Carolina, but are already talking about making the Keeneland fall meet a new family tradition. Thank you, Mary! And thank you, Keeneland, for a truly wonderful experience.

This was amazing to see, we watched the horses train early morning hours. If you get a chance to see I promise.

Unfortunately there was no racing going on during this time of year but it is a really beautiful location

The grounds are beautiful and the horses stunning. The staff was incredibly helpful to us “old” ladies. The office printed new, even better seat tickets when we discovered that one of the 3 days we got was the WRONG day, a valet returned an accidental $160.00 tip. Someone returned my sister’s gold and diamond earring and Keeneland mailed it to her. Nigel in the Sports Bar makes the best Bloody Mary, Tito’s Trifecta(it involves puréed blueberries) and Grey Mule. Perhaps that is why we had the aforementioned mishaps!

Keeneland is the best place to get up close and personal with thoroughbred racing! This racecourse is historical and so fan friendly! Everyone can be at the rail and experience the thrill of racing.

Just a afternoon trip to see Keeneland before all the action starts APRIL 2-24 for live racing! A must is to stop by the GIFT SHOP great things for everyone! Many places to EAT but fun to wonder around grab something on the run to eat! Check out the paddock where you can get a closeup view of the horses and say “hi” to your favorite jockey or trainer! Great place to dress up and many restaurants to set down and eat( love The Lexington room on 4th floor). Arrive early and watch the morning workouts and have breakfast at the Track Kitchen (great food)!!! Very friendly people to help you with making your bets or finding great food!!! ENJOY 😊

We thoroughly enjoyed the Morning Works tour at Keeneland. It was a great way to see the entire facility, which is beautiful, AND watch the horses train on the track. Highly recommend!

Our guide, Carol Sue, was amazing! She was very knowledgeable and entertaining. She included everyone on the tour from young to old. Very well done!

Fun day at the races! Very well organized, clean and reasonable. There is good food to grab while enjoying the races or before. They have a lot of people available to help you navigate if you're a first time visitor.

This is a large and beautiful property. The grounds are manicured and the horses are beautiful Whether it's a race day or a day when young horses are being sold, it is a delight for the eyes.

We had a great time. Great racing. The staff is great! I would recommend Keenland to everyone! The grounds are beautiful. The best horses are there. If you love horse racing this is a must do!

All around great experience. Pick up was on time, Mike, the tour guide is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and takes a lot of pride in what he does. During the tour you will observe beautiful scenery, rolling hills with magnificent farms, the historic Keenland race track and an up close farm experience at some horse stables where you'll see horses that are actively racing and others recently purchased that are in the training process.

Even for a city boy, this was a fantastic tour!

Excellent tour given by Jan. Highly recommend. Very insightful. We also got to see a number of horses exercising on the race track.

I'm so glad we stopped for a brief tour of the prettiest race track in the States. Keeneland is historic and beautiful and it's FREE to the public.
We arrived in time to see the morning workouts and had the opportunity to view the paddock, grandstand and winner's circle.
The gift shop is lovely; elegant and full of exceptional merchandise. But it's not for those with limited funds! A $16.00 refrigerator magnet is certainly not in my budget.
I can't wait to return for the fall meet.

Great tour of Keeneland. Didnt know what to expect, but was plesantly surprised with the tour itself, and all the historical information. We got to be up close and personal with some of the riders and horses on the track, as well as visiting the grandstands where all the patrons can enjoy the races. I would highly recommend anyone considering going, to just do it!

Driving through the main gate towards the grandstand was absolutely beautiful. We took a tour and learned the history of this famous, historical racetrack. Our guide was so knowledgeable and witty. It gave me chills to stand where champions are paraded around before their big race. We saw the morning workouts with some youngsters out feeling their oats. We also saw where the famous yearling sales are held each year. It is a magnificently, beautiful facility. A must see even if your not a crazy horse enthusiast. This year they were awarded the Breeders cup so it will be exciting to see it run there. I would highly recommend this tour if you are in town.

I visited Keenland in October and throughly enjoyed the experience. The track is easy to get in and out of, plenty to see and do. I found the Keenland staff very friendly and kept the track very clean. A very nice way for a family or anyone to spend the day watching the races and soaking up the atmosphere!

Perfect Sunday morning visit to see a few horses working out. Seeing and hearing the horses up close was a real treat. Be sure to check the tour schedule if you are interested in more information. No tours were offered the day of our visit, but I still wanted to see the space. Be sure to arrive early since the morning workout concludes at 10am. A tractor was smoothing out the track at 10am on the dot. Lots of remodel/construction areas on 8/31/25. We were able to walk into the grandstand and both agreed that a race would be a lot of fun to witness.

Mary Luketich was our guide. She was amazing. Super friendly, knowledgeable and kind. We were a large senior group and she handled us well.

Carol was an outstanding tour guide. We saw much more than expected. We watched morning workouts, toured buildings, got full history on past, present and future of the facility and she gave us her personal thoughts also. With her recommendation we also got to see some of the yearling sales. An amazing experience. Well worh your time.

It was my first time to Keeneland. The grounds were impeccable. The employees were so welcoming to our group and offered tips for us to enjoy our time there as much as possible. The gambling was fun and affordable. I wish we would have booked a tour of the facility. It was my favorite thing we did on our Lexington trip. Again, the employees were 5 star ~ they really added so much to the experience. I can't wait to go again!

I was visiting Keeneland Sales on the first day of their biggest sales event of the year; the Yearling Sale. While we didn't stay for that portion, our guide explained how the auction takes place, the format for bidding, and how the property operates as a non-profit. I was very impressed with the leveled atmosphere before the beginning of the sale days ahead. The offices and staff just hummed like a well oiled machine. I would certainly return again and bring family and friends who have an interest in horse racing. Our behind the scenes tour was truly lovely!

Mary was our tour guide. She was fantastic! So kind, caring, knowledgeable, respectful, considerate. She went above and beyond! Took us on a tour of the entire place. She knew the extensive history of Keeneland, the family history, everything about the structures, design, the naming of the place, the colors and how they were chosen, the updates that are going on now etc. Thank you so much for that beautiful tour! We really appreciated your kindness!

The morning workout tour was great! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we were able to see a lot of the grounds. The horses were my favorite part.

Keeneland was one of the biggest highlights of our trip to Lexington! We visited on three separate occasions to watch morning work, take a tour, as well as do a self-guided tour through the grounds. The heritage and tradition of the track is incredible, and it was such a great experience each time we were there.

We visited a Keeneland in October. We got there early in the morning for a behind the scenes tour. We were staying for racing but had time to kill. We decided to get something to eat at the trackside kitchen. This is were anybody who works at the track eats but is open to the public. Food was very good. Then it was time for racing (first time seeing it live). We really enjoyed it even though we lost a little money. Hoping to be able to get Breeders Cup tickets for next November.

I went to Keeneland with my friends to watch the horses warm up and I had the best experience! I ended up losing my wallet and everyone that worked there helped me look for it. They ended up finding it for me! The tour manager Mary was beyond helpful the whole time. Everyone was so kind and the riders even said hi to us while we were watching. I really Recommend this place!!

What a beautiful place! Mary Perkins was the most gracious hostess and gave us a wonderful tour. A life long memory!
Thank you!!
Judy and Mark

one of the highlights of our recent trip. Our tour guide Jan was very knowledgeable. We went in mid September during the auction time for the horses. We stumbled into that timeframe but would recommend that time frame if you want to attend

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"Seeing the horses, seeing the tracks from the dining rooms, learning the history, and the great tour guide Jan. Having access to so much, even in spite of it raining!

Keenland is a very nice clean race track. This was my first time to the track and if you do not know how to bet on the horses, they have gentlemen who are very knowledgeable. You can bet a little or a lot. I would suggest getting grandstand seats as it can get very hot in open seating. The few extra dollars are worth it. Employees were wearing masks and everything was clean. Everyone was very helpful. We enjoyed our day at the races.

Keeneland Race Course is the quintessential racetrack experience, in my opinion. Though there is a HUGE construction project in place, it is clear that this is not intended to accommodate the commercialism that has ruined "that other racetrack in KY", but is designed to improve the experience for visitors as well as the horses that race.
We've been going to Keeneland for nearly 10 years and have yet to encounter an employee who is less than courteous and friendly- always a smile and a kind word or two.
Though we do get tickets for the dining room rather than the grandstands, we still enjoy getting down to the rail to watch and feel that thunder as the horses pass, and I love the commaraderie that develops as everyone cheers for their favorites, and rarely do you hear rough talk or arguing after a disappointing run. It's like there is an innate respect that folks just wouldn't dream of crossing.
Can you tell that I love this place?? You will, too.

Clark was a wonderful tour guide, very knowledgeable and kind. I loved the morning tour so we could see the horses being exercised on the track. Great experience and the shopping was nice.

The grounds, 1000+ acres, are so beautiful even on a cold January day. The park stays open and you are permitted to enter without restriction or fee. On our visit, we started with 30-minutes of watching the horses being ridden on the practice track. As the practice riders when around the oval, we were warmly greeted by nearly everyone. We ate breakfast at the track restaurant; we were the only non-employees there. Then we were treated to a tour by Mary Perkins who showed us all the wonderful architecture and told us of the history of the track and the current organization and business of Keeneland.

I wanted to give a shout out to the staff at Keeneland. We were from Maryland on our way to Lexington and decided to stop by at Keeneland to get some souvenirs at the gift shop for my son's birthday without knowing it is inside the gate and there was a race that day. It was a cold and rainy day. The lovely lady attending the parking lot kindly let us park there, the gentleman at the gate guided us to the front office, and Mary P-L (Tour Manager) not only let us in but also gave us some brochures about Keeneland and Lexington. We left happily with Keeneland apparels from the gift shop and warm feelings of the local hospitality. Thank you Keeneland staff for making our day!

We just walked the grounds, which were well kept. Saw some horses. The track is very well groomed. The gift shop is well stocked. I bought a horse shoe. Another good thing it is free to walk around.

I'm a lifelong Kentuckian but had never turned Keeneland before. Even as a local, it was so worth it and I learned so much about the history of the track! My 13 year old son really enjoyed it as well. Our tour guide, Paul, was so knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommend!

It was a pleasure touring the Keeneland racetrack venue. The facility cautiously took temperatures at the entrance in light of the Covid concerns. There was one entrance in and out of the grounds and arm bands were distributed to confirm the visitors were in compliance. Face masks Were required of course. The buildings and grounds were immaculate. The historic track was open to watch early morning race horse workouts. We purchased breakfast at the Track Kitchen. It was a real treat to actually visit the largest horse auction in the world; a site I’ve read about since I was a teen. The gift shop had beautiful souvenirs to commemorate the visit. I highly recommend a trip here, particularly if you are a horse lover.

Truly the best Horse track anywhere. Super Clean and Friendly. I have been many times - But the Breeders Cup was the best. Having seen in many places! Keeneland hand down the best!

Another great trip to Keeneland. What an amazing place, such a beautiful track. I will be coming back for Spring meet. With all of the construction, i hope it continues to keep it's charm.

Only complaint, is that there needs to be more tellers, and possibly moving one of the beer carts from the area it is, when its packed, it cuts off the area to get in line for tellers, and causes chaos. Friday wasn't staffed well enough for the crowd for "Kentucky University" day. Still 2 great days of watching the racing tho.

We enjoyed the tour very much. Would have loved to be able to see the horses up close and pet/touch them, but understand that likely not advisable. We toured during the pre-sales events, so there was a lot of activity going on to see. It was fun to watch the trainers ride the horses and we did get some good pictures up pretty close from the winner's circle. We had lunch at the cafe afterwards; just a burger and fries, but it was good. They also had meats and veggies and among other things banana cake for dessert. We would highly recommend Keeneland tours.

I’d you want to know what it feels like to be a thoroughbred racehorse owner on race day, this is for you. From going to the barn before the race, then to the saddling paddock, the tunnel leading to the track, to watching the race from the winners circle. Carol Sue was a wonderful guide. We were able to meet the bugler for Keeneland and Churchill Downs and get his point of view. The unexpected treat was the up close look at the world famous pony horse, Harley. Wonderful time had by all!!

We went to celebrate my 40th birthday and it was a trip of a lifetime! And most of credit goes to Mary Perkins from the tour hospitality department! She is genuinely excited to help and will go the extra mile to curate a special memory. The morning works tour with the Guide Clark was also an excellent behind the scenes and reasonably priced! If you’re looking for an activity with couples or even family, I would highly reccomend contacting Mary Perkins from hospitality and tours, it’ll be the highlight of your trip!

Mary Perkins is the best tour guide! She has such genuine, insightful knowledge of Kentucky history and its players. She gave us the Keeneland background through anecdotes and illustrations. We had the best time, and learned some things along the way. I also highly recommend the Track Kitchen!

We toured Keeneland and highly recommend it. Such history about this facility and was interesting to see.

I didn't know what to expect from Keeneland but it was impressive! Huge acreage and loads of people...excellent food and drink offerings. Uber pickup and dropoff easy. We spent only a coupld hours but you could make a day of it no problem!

It was really great to visit this special place. I was fortunate to go with a friend who often works there, and therefore could give me a full "tour" of the place. We went during the yearling sales as I was in town for work that week. Beautiful, intense energy (lots of people buying lots of horses!) and full of history. It was lovely to see and experience.

Thoroughly enjoyed our Breeder's Cup experience - the fans, the people of Kentucky and the breathtaking atmosphere of the surrounding farm land.

Such an amazing Horse track. The grounds are beautiful, the history is spellbinding and the horses are the best attraction. Our guide was so informative, giving us facts and stories and many interesting happenings to digest. Do not miss this wonderful place.

Beautiful track! I love visiting this track and watching the races. They also have tours. I have only gone for the races and the location is absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend it!

Brilliant place to visit if you love horses. The venue is gorgeous and you get so close to to the horses it is a great adrenaline rush. They have team members who show you how to get as well if you’re into that. Drink and food prices are also reasonable. All in all a fun day out.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the morning works tour. Our guide Mike was excellent and there were just 6 of us on the tour, which was a nice bonus. Mike was very informative as well as entertaining and we loved watching the horses doing their morning workout. Parking was a little confusing but there were lots of helpful employees to point us in the right direction. We would highly recommend this tour.

Great organization and attention to detail. Friendly and helpful staff. We enjoyed the races (and our attempts to pick a winning horse), but it was the overall experience that was important to us.

We arrived just before noon and were greeted in the Parking Lot and shown where to park. Within a minute a Golf Cart came to pick us up and brought us to the Main Entrance. Security was fast, efficient and friendly! We visited the Gift Shop and picked out some nice things. We then headed to the Paddock and got a great view of some horses. We continued our walk along the track rail and saw the TVG Crew. We located our seats and had lunch and a few cocktails..The weather was perfect, the track was perfect and it was another fabulous day at Keeneland. If you ever get the opportunity to go, you will enjoy the experience! You will be about it for weeks. People were dressed up, suits, dresses and hats adding to a fantastic atmosphere!

What a magical place is Keeneland! We learned so much from our tour guide. Seeing the horses do their morning work was captivating! The exercise riders were so nice and many said hello to our group. Our guide was super knowledgeable about the history, and he was kind and patient with all levels of questions. Absolutely loved it and would recommend.

the green coats are rude and are only interested in shaking down customers for money. really a shame that a few people ruin what should really be a great experience at one of the nicest racetracks in the world.. the tribute to vets on Sunday the 16th was absolutely 1st class.

My girlfriend and I had an amazing time at Keeneland this past weekend! The staff was incredibly nice, helpful, and professional all around - from security entering the race track to the gift shop, buying hats, placing bets, buying drinks/food, the betologists etc - all TOP notch professionals. We came with a group of twenty and for all it was a fun and affordable visit.

The highlight of our trip was a Sunrise Trackside Tour in the morning with Mary. She went above and beyond to make sure our experience would be unforgettable. She was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Keeneland and allowed us to feel part of the track by petting horses and seeing the Jockey’s quarters, things we will never forget. She also doubled down as a photographer which we greatly appreciated. Finally, I couldn’t help but notice and can’t help but mention how well she treated and was respected by all of her fellow co workers throughout the tour - from dining to the stables - it was clear she was a star of the show!! Thanks so much for all your help Mary and a day we’ll never forget.

One day at Keeneland and you want to immediately go back. Extraordinary venue and helpful friendly personnel everywhere. Get the Reuben sandwich!! So much to appreciate here. Do a tour it really adds to your experience.

Very interesting seeing the grounds and the Fall Yearling Sale. Carol, gave us great information on the history of the track, plus all the background workings too. We were especially pleased we were there to see the Yearling Sale. but the best part of the tour for me was seeing some horses practice on the track. This early morning tour was well worth the early call to the grounds! Definitely a must do in Lexington!

The tour was wonderful, thorough, and inciteful. Mary was full of information and wonderful to us. The grounds where beautiful,I would recommend, the best racetrack in Kentucky!

Thank you

Very informative of the history. The buildings & grounds were gorgeous. Highly recommend the tour to all that go. It gives you such a better appreciation for what Keeneland means & where it started. The only downside of a Sunday tour was the gift shop being closed. We were able to swing back on Monday to grab some souvenirs.

Our Keeneland tour was nothing short of amazing with tour guide Mary Perkins. Exploring the stunning manicured grounds and learning about the history of this special Kentucky racetrack was absolutely fascinating. The hospitality and kindness of all who work there was readily apparent throughout. What a special place. We will definitely be back...next time when the horses are running. Highly recommend for individuals, families and business groups as a one-of-a-kind Kentucky experience. Truly wonderful.

I was able to tour Keeneland this week and it was a wonderful experience. Our tour was led by Mary Perkins and she was an engaging and knowledgeable guide. The grounds were beautiful and I learned so much about horses and racing, the area and Keeneland. I recommend, if you’re in the area, going on a tour of Keeneland.

THE BEST TOUR award goes to Keeneland. Nick, our Australian jockey tour guide, made it that much more special. He provided the rich history of the property, the founder and countless thoroughbred horses that have pounded the mostly sand track. We had the place to ourselves and gained access to areas that aren’t typically available to tour. The new buildings and stables were grand without touching the original clubhouse that is still used today. Jack Keene had quite the vision for Keeneland and no detail was spared. The original limestone, quilt-patterned building, inspired by his many world travels (especially Europe) is a glimpse into a man’s dream-turned-reality that we know and love today. There is no place quite like Keeneland (clicks heels 3 times) and grateful it’s in my backyard.
Keeneland

We had the 8:30am tour at Keeneland. We enjoyed it very much. Learning about the history of it and to walk through the beautiful grounds was amazing. We got to watch the thorough breds train on the track. We really enjoyed the whole experience. The tour lasted almost 1 1/2 hours. Can't wait to come back with friends in the future.

Take the self-guided tour and learn a lot about a really neat place. If you’re there early in the morning, you can see the horses practice

We had a wonderful time. Super fun. Everything was as expected, and the staff is very helpful. Efficiently run operation.
And I recommend the vanilla cream craft beer.

The tour guide talked too much. It was hard to enjoy the horses on the track because of the talking. Would recommend morning workout but not on a tour.

Keeneland is special. It ranks right up there with traditional sports venues like the Masters. Without a doubt, the premier racing facility in the U.S. Be sure to take the tour of the grounds. It is exceptional! Get the feel of the backside by visiting the track kitchen for a meal! When you leave after a visit, you feel you are departing hallowed ground!!!! Just go, you'll see.

Great day at the races. Can't wait to return. Easy access. Helpful people. Food and drinks of many varities.

Such a great experience! The entire staff are so friendly and welcoming. So much to do and experience. We will definitely be back!

This was a fabulous tour, allowing us to see areas of Keeneland we had never seen before. Our guide was great! Very knowledgeable and interesting.

We have attended Keeneland for 40+ years in various special areas. We use to look forward to food at keeneland. The food has seriously declined. Most recently the Equestrian Room. Don't waste your money on the food. Its substandard and old. Limes for drinks are a week old, olives rotten. I ordered and appetizer that came uncooked. When I sent back, it was overcooked and un-eatable. Such ashame the most beautiful racetrack has the worse food of any track we've visited. We'll never waste money on the food again.

Our family did the Backstretch Tour with Mary as our tour guide. Mary was a wealth of knowledge about Keeneland and horse racing in general. With two others in our tour group, it felt like a private tour. We got to check out areas that you might normally not get to see including the stables, where they keep the horses. While we could not pet the horses, we were able to get a close up of them. I highly recommend this tour and hopefully you are lucky to have Mary as your tour guide!

We had a fantastic tour of the Keeneland facility and track with Mary Perkins. It was evident from the beginning that she was very proud of the facility and track, and after the tour, it was understandable why. The growth of the facility is controlled, and all additions keep with the architectural integrity of the facility. It is a beautiful track and facility. It was my first visit to a horse racing facility, and I'm eager to return for the races. Interestingly, two days later, we visited Churchill Downs. I was not impressed; it felt like an NFL stadium, with a lot of concrete and numerous endorsements everywhere. It may be the biggest, but in my opinion, Keeneland is a much more elegant track. Mary, thank you for taking the time to help me appreciate Keeneland.

We had a tour by Mary Perkins. She was very informed and made us feel extremely welcome. Mary helped us have an amazing experience.

We went on last day of the 2025 season… also went on owners tour which was excellent and informative… Carol does a great job explaining and answering questions on the tour. All the staff at Keeneland are very nice and helpful.

We had a fantastic experience with Mary during our recent visit to the Keeneland Racetrack. She went above and beyond to welcome our business partners and provide an engaging, detailed tour of the grounds. Mary’s personable nature and deep knowledge of Keeneland truly made the visit memorable.

She is incredibly accommodating, especially to guests who may not be able to walk long distances, and ensures everyone feels comfortable and included throughout the tour. Mary’s attention to detail and thoughtful hospitality are unmatched—we are so grateful for the exceptional experience she provided! We highly recommend a tour with Mary and her team of tour guides at Keeneland!

We were given a tour of Keeneland by Mary Perkins. Not only is Mary passionate about her job, the horses, and Keeneland in general, but she is an excellent tour guide who knows everything about Keeneland. She shared its rich history and also told us about all that Keeneland does and gives back to the sport of racing. We came away from the experience looking forward to coming back again. She also shared with us information about the sales so we plan to come back for those as well. Ty Mary!

Very healthy food options such as salmon, salads without heavy cream bases dressing and plenty of vegetables. Fine job to the chef and cuisine management

This was a part of our tour package but I am so glad that we spend a lot of time here. There is so much to see and understand about the thoroughbred community and horse racing industry. Could have spent a day there.

This is horse racing on both dirt and turf. The stands are well-maintained and there are plenty of different vantage points to view the racing and paddock. Lots of betting windows and friendly staff who are willing to help with the betting if you're confused. There are a lot of food and drink options, but nothing is inexpensive. You'll pay about $10 for a beer or mixed drink. We paid $27.50 for two turkey wraps, two bags of chips and one diet coke. The grandstand seats cost more than general admission, but you have reserved seats with backs and the seats are undercover so you don't have to worry about sun or rain. You can buy them in advance or through stub hub.

Parking is free and there are free shuttles from the lot. General admission was only $5 when we went. This is a great way to spend an afternoon and if you don't bet it can be a cheap day too. (Or make money if you bet the right horses.)

This is a tough one for me, because when Keeneland is at its best, there are few things that are as fun as a day at the track with your friends.

However, Keeneland has changed since Covid hit and it has sucked a lot of the fun and spontaneity out of it. They now require you to purchase tickets well in advance, which is a crap shoot with the weather during spring/fall in KY. I bought tickets for the spring meet in January, so of course when the April day rolled around, it was raining sideways and 41 degrees. I was out the money for 4 tickets. Good for Keeneland, a total waste for me.

Another thing is that when the weather is perfect and you and some friends decide to hop in the car for a day at the track, you're SOL unless you bought tickets prior.

You don't really expect cheap drinks and food at Keeneland, but prices for both have really gotten ridiculous in recent years.

Lots of great places have been ruined by micromanagement and greed. Unfortunately, the changes Keeneland has made in recent years seems to have put them on that path in the opinion of so many.

So many great times at this treasure of a place. Can I just come every day? The only way to improve on the most enjoyable place on Earth is an insider tour from Mary Perkins.

We visited Keeneland today. There were no races and it was very quiet as a result of covid 19. The grounds are beautiful and we enjoyed riding and walking through there. The gift shop was open. Take some time to visit and enjoy the peacefulness.

Keeneland has been on my bucket list for years. When I was in college, I used to work at Ak-Sar-Ben and caught the racing bug. As life happens, marriage, kids and their activities, I was finally able to make it to Keeneland and it definitely did NOT disappoint. The beauty, history and pageantry of the track was breathtaking. I would highly recommend the Keeneland tours, Mary in customer service is EXCELLENT to work with. Diane did fantastic job with the Morning Works Tour. You want to make sure and make your reservations for the tour and racing admission tickets in advance. Keeneland Racing is a HOT TICKET! All the staff are so welcoming and so excited to discuss Keeneland's mission and philanthropic works. I can't say enough about this amazing experience. Visiting Keeneland should be on everyone's bucket list! Thank you Mary and Diane and all the Keeneland staff! Looking forward to watching the Breeder's Cup at Keeneland in November!

Stopped in today to walk around and take in the area with the kids without all the spectators. They loved walking and looking at the track, going into
The grandstands and the winners circle. Couldn’t go to the barns due to construction but we did see a few horses being lead around. We just missed the horses warming up/training so we will definitely come back for that one day and to see a few more things. Can’t beat free. Plus everyone working were so nice the the kids and you could tell they enjoyed seeing them there taking it all in.

This was my first trip to Keeneland. My grandparents lived 6 blocks from Churchill Downs so I was well acquainted with the track from childhood (60 + years ago) onward and I do really like Churchill Downs. But Keeneland! Wow! Beautiful is an understatement. The track sits in the midst of the bluegrass of horse farms - a stunningly beautiful rural feeling. And EVERY employee we met smiled, greeted us, and consistently offered any assistance they could. Most impressive! We were blessed to have an early morning tour with a very knowledgeable young lady (Stephanie) who made every effort to give us a real feel for the track, the culture, the true ambience about us. And to our disbelief we found out Keeneland is non-profit.
Amazing! All the 'profit' goes bak into the track and its environs. Truly we cannot wait to return!

Watched an afternoon of thoroughbred races in October. Loved the experience. Didn't lose any money because we didn't bet. Reserved grandstands are covered which is great for both sun or rain.

Had a lot of fun, even though our lack of experience betting on the ponies did not fill our pockets! But that's okay, we'll be back.

Visited two weeks ago for the final day of live racing of the Spring Racing season. Most of better horses had already been transferred to Churchill Downs for Derby Week, but the beauty and pageantry still remained, If you've never experienced live horse racing, this is a must see and do. Watching on TV just doesn't do it justice. Had more freedom to move about due to the reduced pandemic attendance. Easy access from Lexington with plenty of free parking on the grounds.

We stopped impuslively as we had time to kill before a distillery tour. We did a self guided tour (free brochure at gift shop). Great experience and very beautiful and informative. I would try to go early in the morning (530-10am) to see horses practice. We arrived about 1030am and missed the horses but it was definetly worth the visit.

We had a great time on the Keeneland Morning Works tour. Although it was very cold, our guide was great and we got to see and learn about Keeneland, the horses, the races, the history, and thoroughbred sales. The passion our tour guide had for Keeneland and the horses made the tour fun and very interesting. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would recommend it.

This is a most comfortable, authentic, and engaging horse racing "track". Keeneland includes all the expected amenities, PLUS close-up association with the "genteel" people, easy access to the paddock, good food, and facilitated betting. It far surpasses the Kentucky Derby arena in Louisville and the other "tracks" we have visited in NY and FL. Seasons are limited to April and October, but a touring visit in off-season is worth it on its own. Go out of your way for Keeneland.

We’ve always wanted to visit Keeneland. We had a great tour. The facility & grounds are amazing. Our tour guide Carol was so good!!

Best of everything. You choose price level for your day. Lots for your entertainment dollar. Must reserve indoor dining rooms early (months ahead) for your choice. Equestrian room easiest access to ground level paddock and finish line.

Watching morning workouts was awesome!! The gift shop is an extreme rip off though, and the workers followed "common folk" around like we were so lowly that we shouldn't even be in there looking around.

We had never heard of Keeneland before, but loved our visit so much we'll be back.

Our tour guide was Paul and you could easily tell that he loves Keeneland. He had lots of fun stories and knew everything about the track.

We love that this is a non-profit and we can't wait to come back on race day.

A one hour morning tour of the Keeneland. We did see some gorses being worked, and some outriders. Learned a little of how the race track works. Beautiful and informative. Anyone would enjoy it!

We have been going here for years and will always make this a must go to place! This time we got to go and watch our horse run, so it was very special. The track is beautiful and a must see on a horseman fan's bucket list!!

I have driven by Keeneland all my life. But after friends encouraged a visit I stopped today & so glad I did. Such a treat to learn more about the Keeneland of yesteryears & today. I will be back. Plus, Carol Sue was excellent;informative & funny!

We had a group of 14 people visit Keeneland on the last race day of the season. Always have an amazing time visiting Keeneland and this was no exception. The people who work there are particularly great. Special shout out to Mary Perkins who patiently answered all of my questions when planning the visit and gave our group a special tour during the race. Her friendliness and enthusiasm just added to the fun. Thanks Mary!

“We learned so much about the equine world and were awed by the beautiful setting. The history and the philosophy of the Keeneland Association are inspiring. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic in every area.”

I can't say enough about our Back Stage Tour and the staff at Keeneland. The staff is so friendly and accommodating. Our tour guides were so knowledgeable and answered all the questions our group had.

Wow what a beautiful place to spend a morning, afternoon or day. From the moment you step out of your car, you realize how special this place is. I highly recommend taking the morning walk tour (its only $15 a person) as it honestly the most informative tour I've been on in recent memory. Even if you can't make the morning walk tour, its open and free to the public to wonder around the grounds and watch the horses work in the mornings. This is a must do if you're in the Lexington area! We loved it so much, we went back the last morning of our trip before we drove home.

We got more than we expected. Beautiful area and a bonus Polo match as we where leaving! I had been there for a wedding many years ago. So very happy to see still as beautiful. Just short of trees changing😉

Wow, what an amazing historic beautiful place! Loved our tour with Mary, her passion and knowledge made our tour memorable and inspiring. Hope
To come back soon to experience Keenland at the Breeders Cup!

We rolled up here around 5 pm on a Saturday where 10 races were being run for the day. The place opened up at 11:00 am and it quickly became apparent we were out of our league here. They let us in without paying admission (so nice) and by the time we saw race #9 run, most of the reserved boxes had emptied out, so we were able to get a fantastic view for the final race. The betting box people were super nice and helpful and even though we blindly picked a horse to bet on (we lost), it was still an amazing and fun experience. The real draw was just people watching. Wow- so this is how the top bred of KY live?! Gentlemen dressed in their finest, ladies in grand dresses and hats, prep school 20-somethings that were clearly trust fund babies. What a time.

Was a awesome venue and fadt paced. Very clean and tidy and a real beautiful place to go. Food was good and the racing great as well

My daughter and I did a private tour of Keenland and got to see a morning workout up close - probably one of my favorites experiences EVER! Loved it!

First time here..sat in reserved seating which is under cover. You can still wander down to the edge of the track & get close to the horses & races. There were all types from serious gamblers & horse folk to families with young kids & everyone in between. You can park in outer grassy lots for free with a shuttle service. Getting out was a hassle like other large venues. I would say the acoustics were poor where we were & when the electronic scoreboard went blank there was no announcement as to what was happening. Food & drink options were okay but not much for more healthy options.

Great guide, interesting tour of Keeneland. So many things I didn’t know about the equestrian world! The largest horse auction in the world!

During a trip to Lexington, our group visited Keeneland. We went in March before the racing season began.

Although racing hadn't started yet, we were able to walk around the grounds and watch horses go out for morning exercises.

The only downside was that there was no one to tell us what horses were out on the track. It would have been nice to put names to the horses we saw.

Still, it was a nice morning trip. Peaceful and an enjoyable experience.

If you go, check out the gift shop.

I can see why this place is 5 star rating. It is wonderful place to spend the day rain or shine. We had such a wonderful weekend and will be going back in the Spring. Just stunning.

My review fr/ many years ago has not changed. The people are still--for the most part--as nice and pleasant as possible and go out of their way to assist you. The setting is absolutely gorgeous. Concession prices are not extravagant by an stretch. And even those in our party who did not bet enjoyed themselves just watching the races. The only downsides of this visit were that they did not quite seem prepared for the number of attendees as lines at concessions & bars were longer than usual (but surprisingly not at the betting windows) and the restrooms were not nearly as clean as usual but I can live w/ those issues.

We were in town as usual for the Fall meet 2019 and had another great time at the races. The grounds are always immaculate and staff friendly and seem to really enjoy giving people a good experience whether you're gambling or not. Always an exciting day out!

Despite the crowds, Keeneland remains a family destination both spring & fall meets. The setting is unequaled anywhere, the concessions sometimes pricey but good, the proceeds benefiting the track and perpetuating a Kentucky tradition. There is a WIDE variety of foods, beverages, and snacks available, with many traditional Kentucky dishes. It's well worth a visit!

I had taken the Keeneland Morning Works tour back in 2018 and was so impressed, I wanted my family to have a reunion in Lexington with a tour of Keeneland as the centerpiece. The 2018 tour was led by an older gentleman who was a very professional guide; meaning he know how much detail to go into, when to add humor and how to pace himself. Also, we were able to see horses being exercised on the track, watch while the horses and jockeys walked around the area near the gift shop in preparation for entering the track and got a glimpse of the private upper boxes in the grandstand. This trip, I opted for the Backstretch” tour. What a mistake that was! Our guide was a young woman who talked a mile a minute and wanted to tell us EVERYTHING she knew about the racetrack. She admitted 2/3rds of the way through that she typically runs over so we could leave before she ended the tour if we needed to. We left when we really couldn’t take it anymore. We were already 15 minutes over and she was leading the group back into the grandstand building. Maybe they did end up seeing the upper boxes but, good grief, to walk for two hours, listening to someone talk nonstop and only see ONE horse in his stall 20 ft away, was absolutely NOT WORTH IT! Dear, Keeneland, Please put effort into carefully selecting and training your guides as you do your horses!! Also, make it clear on your website what the likelihood will be of seeing a HORSE at Keeneland.

So much fun! I loved the Betology folks! They were so helpful and attentive. They answered all my stupid questions.
The facility is beautiful and easy to navigate.

Monday, the 25th, started off as a team-building trip with my co-workers with aims of going to Ride the Rail Explorers in Versailles, KY; however, after being stuck in standstill traffic for 30 minutes, we arrived late and missed our tour opportunity. Pretty bummed out, we decided to head over to Keeneland and see if there was anything going on at the tracks that would make our trip from Louisville worthwhile.

When we arrived, we met Mary Perkins at the Visitor Information booth and asked her if there was anything we could do on the property for the day. Unfortunately, the Fall Sales had just ended and Keeneland was in recovery mode but while we were talking we told her our story and, after hearing about our nightmare start to the day, the first words out of her mouth were, "well you can't be dealt two disappointments today! I'll be out in five minutes!"

She then proceed to give us an amazing two and a half hour long walking tour of the entire Keeneland property. We got to go behind the scenes and step into areas of the grounds that we would never dream of being able to see and, throughout the entire tour, Mary told us the history of Keeneland, the current goings on, and what was in store for the future.

All in all, she completely turned around our day and gave us an experience that was 10 times better than the rail cars would have been and 100 times more meaningful as a group of Kentuckians. To top it all off, she was a fabulous photographer that took a bunch of pictures of our group (even lending her sunglasses to one of us who was without!) I won't forget my trip to Keeneland or my interactions with Mary anytime soon and I'll be telling everyone I know about how she made our visit so spectacular!

We scheduled a tour of Keeneland the day prior to our arrival. Unfortunately our flights did not arrive early enough to takes a scheduled tour However Mary Perkins was gracious enough to give us a private tour upon our arrival.

My wife and I found the tour fascinating. It added a whole new dimension to our understanding of horse racing and its culture. Mary was very knowledgeable and made the tour fun as well as educational.

Kudos to Mary. A true asset to the Keeneland team! Thank you again Mary!

Visited on Friday the 13th.This race track is stunning.Very clean.We had a group of 18 and had a blast.This was my 4th trip there since last year and experience gets better each time.Wonderful employess.We sat in grandstand, section k 1st 3 rows.It was extremly crowded due to college day.I will pick better dates next year to avoid the chaos.

Beautiful place to visit even when there are no horse races happening. We got some great pictures and videos of the horses working out on the track.

Spent the day at Keeneland during the fall meet. First time to visit, was very impressed. A very high class operation without the high price. Parking is free, only $5 to get in, or $10 for a reserved seat. Food and beverages very reasonably priced. High caliber horse races at a gorgeous venue. Bucket list item for any racing fan.

This is a must place to come to. Be careful where you buy tickets, general admission is $7 online and $10 at the door.

This racetrack is beautiful and well kept. I have never been to a racetrack before. Everyone that works here is so friendly and helpful. If you are new to the track, talk to anyone in a green jacket, they will offer you suggestions. It was a great experience.

Mary Perkins is a doll. She made this a special day. Really enjoyed our tour and time at the track. Highly recommend a visit to Keeneland Race Track.

Keeneland is beautiful, even if you are not a horse person the property is wonderful. The Gift Shop has something for everyone-high end clothes and gifts.

We took a tour of Keeneland. It's not racing season so we saw the grounds, grandstand, and paddock area. They are completing a significant expansion that's due to open later this year.

The facility is very pretty. The landscaping is very well done. It's not as big as some other tracks (i.e. Churchill Downs) but it has hosted some significant races. It also does a significant sales business......many millions of dollars.

We'd like to return when the horses are running.

A Coworker and I were fortunate enough to receive a private tour with Mary Perkins that was simply an amazing experience. Mary has such a great passion for Keeneland and sharing those experiences to make sure the great history of venue lives on for years! Thank you Mary!!

Much better than Churchill Downs! A must stop and see. Go in the Keenland shop as well. Visit the Highway near it for a great scenic view KY1681!

Enjoyed the races in October! Keenelands Spring and Fall meets are a must do, and the September sale and art auction are also really fun!

Everyone, and I mean everyone was very friendly and helpful. The owners tour was awesome. Carol Sue did an excellent job. The equestrian room was great. Brad and his crew are the best.

What a great tour! I was fortunate enough to be shown around by Mary Perkins who was a fountain of knowledge. It was so interesting to hear about the history of the track and the various events that had been held at the venue, including a royal visit that I never knew about! I couldn’t recommend this tour enough, a must see while in Lexington!

After reading other reviews, I feel like I'm beating a dead horse (I swear that pun was not intended). Mary receives so many compliments but I have to give her accolades that she thoroughly deserves. She was our tour guide and I don't think I've ever had a more knowledgable and personable tour experience... ever! We can't wait to go back for race day!
After our tour, we had a late breakfast in the cafeteria. It was really good. Also, I can't remember the employee's name but he was riding Mouse (I think that was the name). He was from Louisiana and was so kind to spend some time talking with us and taking pictures. Everyone was so kind and friendly at Keeneland. This is an absolutely necessary stop if you're in the area.
Sorry no photos! I'm not the best with technology and have no idea how to convert from .heic to other formats.

Our second trip to Keeneland did not disappoint. Lucked up and was able to purchase tickets for the Owners Tour and also scored tickets to the Equestrian Room. We will be back in the fall.

Attended a few of the fall races & enjoyed the beauty & cleanliness of the facilities. Loads of history here. Enjoyed breakfasts at the Track Kitchen and talked with some of the handlers & got some betting tips. Highly recommended!

I loved having the opportunity to view of these beautiful horses exercising. They are awesome athletes that deserve huge respect. The facility is beautiful and our guide gave lots of great information and track history. Would definitely recommend.

Did self guided tour (brochure free at the gift shop) but would recommend use of a guide as you learn so much more. Go early to watch the jockeys in the paddock and on the track and walk around the grounds. Very interesting, recommend you visit!

I love Keeneland! I enjoy watching horse racing, and Keeneland does not disappoint. Your experience will be what you make it. And although I’m not a gambler, I love to place small wagers on the horses lol.

This is the nicest thoroughbred race track I have visited. It is set in beautiful countryside. The grounds are clean and sparkling. The staff is friendly and helpful. If you like horse racing or just like horses, find some time to visit Lexington and Keenland.

Our first visit to Lexington would not have been complete without attending the horse races at Keeneland!! Although Churchill Downs is the famous location, all locals we talked to chose Keeneland as the Best horse track.
Historic, wonderful architecture. A unique, fun and superb family experience.

We were a for experience...go early morning.. little pessimistic until we actually visited...an A..jockeys and horse...my o my

Mary Perkins-Luketich treated us royally as we toured the Keeneland racetrack and all of the staff we met while on the tour were very welcoming and informative! There was even grandparents treating their grandchildren to a breakfast picnic while they watched the horses workout on the racetrack. What a delightful place to visit!!!

We went to watch the morning workout and highly recommend. You are able to stand right next to the track and exchange greetings with the jockeys. Afterwards we had breakfast at the restaurant. It was a great way to spend the morning.

A good friend of mine who I worked with in Lexington for many years connected us with Mary Perkins at Keeneland last week. Mary gave us a spectacular tour of Keeneland on April 22, 2023. She is a wonderful guide and provided us with information about Keeneland and its history not experienced before. We had a party of 8 people and we felt like a VIP all day. The history of Keeneland and the thoroughbred industry is very fascinating. Mary’s enthusiasm, knowledge and personality made our day and will be something we will not soon forget. Our group was made up of Kentuckians living in other parts of the state and Mary’s tour made us all feel proud to be from Kentucky and have such a wonderful jewel like Keeneland in our state.

Thank you Mary for a great day and giving us such a wonderful tour of Keeneland!

Love visiting Keeneland and watching the Thoroughbreds in their morning workouts. 1st class destination and very informative tours available, although you can also enter the viewing area and watch the workouts for free. We also enjoy eating breakfast at the track kitchen following viewing of workouts. Track kitchen is about a 5-minute drive from racetrack parking lot, and signage is very good.

It was fabulous! We learned a lot and had great access to the facility. Mary was a great guide. I would just emphasize more that there is ALOT of walking and stairs.”

After you visit Lexington, people will ask, "Did you go to Keeneland?" Don't disappoint- go to Keeneland. If off race season, take a tour- it's beautiful and you get a great feel for the attraction. The property is visually beautiful and if you have a little time, drive around the surrounding area. The horse farms are breathtaking. If during the race season- go to the ticket office. They were so helpful and informative. Tell them your interest and budget and they will have an experience for you. You can even "tail-gate" here, they have big screens you can watch the races on and portable betting out there in the parking lot. I didn't do this but I guess it's a PARTY!
They also have people walking around to explain the different kinds of wagers you can make on races for people like me who have no clue about horse racing. I wagered just a few bucks to make it interesting. It does make it more fun when you have a stake in the race- even if it's only $3.

I really enjoyed my first trip to Keeneland. It was pretty and I didn't lose too much. It wasn't hard to place a bet even though it was very crowded. The margarita and the hot dog I had were good, although a little pricey. We had a nice day. My advice is to wear a hat since I ended up with a sunburn on one side of my face and neck. We found a bench to sit on but one of us had to stay there while we took turns betting, getting drinks and going to the restroom. It was a bit of a walk to the parking and we will certainly get tickets for the clubhouse and one of the restaurants next time.

We set several hours to walk around this site, I do not consider ourselves as being horse people, but watching these beautiful animals running around this track on a spring day is impressive. The attraction of watching rider and animal is loving. Also we went by their cafe and got some food. It too was excellent and inexpensive.

Great tour to see the morning workout & horses being viewed the morning before yearling sale. Everyone was super friendly & welcoming!

Keeneland is a Not-To-Miss experience. If it’s not race time - April or October, stop by for a tour. The gift shop is always open and the perfect spot to choose a unique gift. Keeneland is the place to see and be seen. Reserve a clubhouse table for lunch, but dress accordingly. Don’t bother with a big Derby Hat here, and don’t wear a straw beach hat! Classic attire is appreciated. Eat a hot dog, a cup of Burgoo, and a corned beef sandwich. Bet on your favorite and have the best day ever! Win or lose on the horses- a day at Keeneland is always memorable.

Keeneland is alway a fantastic experience. I've been coming here since I was a horse crazy kid. I've been to the races, the morning works, and the yearling sales. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The horses are amazing athletes and always fun to watch. Recently I took my mom to the Keeneland Owner's Experience Tour and it was a 10/10! Carol Sue was a great tour guide. We learned a lot about the inner working of a racetrack. And of course being in the paddock and in the winner's circle with a racehorse was a true bucket list experience.

We visited friends in Lexington and were treated to lunch in the Phoenix Dining Room at Keeneland. It was wonderful. The buffet was outstanding. There was a wide range of food including salmon, beef, vegetables, dessert, etc. We also had a great view of the race track. Our friend, Terri, won 5 races. It was a good day. The people were very friendly and the service was excellent. We highly recommend this experience.

This review is primarily about the dining experience for Keeneland's Phoenix Room. You will need to dress business casual - for men this is collared shirt, dress pants, dress socks and dress shoes. It was nice to have windows out to the paddock, although the ones that were open allowed the bees and wasps to come in. While the food was either average or slightly better than expected, the options were much more limited than at similar dining experiences we have had at race tracks (e.g. no warm pasta option). The highlight was going out on the open air balcony (also shared by the other dining rooms) for the race - make sure to get out 10-15 minutes before the race if you want to stand in the front row. I would go back again, but the visits to the nearby horse farms were more of a highlight for us from this trip

We had 2 wonderful days there. Tuesday we toured the complex with Mary Perkins, excellent guide. Beautiful, lots of history. On Wednesday, we watched the thoroughbreds train. We talked to the trainers, pet the horses. Everyone was over the top friendly, knowledgeable. The grounds are immaculate. We had breakfast on site. A must see if you are in Lexington.

This is a "must see" place in Kentucky. This racetrack has the old-world feeling. It is beautiful, luncheon is a great thing to do while watching the races. This, to me, is a very romantic place

We had a great time. All the personnel was friendly except for one lady at the snack window. We paid like 4.50 for a coke and both was flat and warm. Hardly any ice and no fizz at all. When my friend said something the lady said “oh well that’s all we have.” We had already paid for them so I threw mine away and got a bottle of water at a different window. But we did have fun betting and checking out the gift shop.

Wow. What a great spot! Got an impromptu private tour by Mary, Keeneland’s Tour Director. Highly recommended!

This is a beautiful facility, and so clean. I expected it to be busier than it was. You are able to park your car, walk right in, and watch the horses exercising. We got there approxamately 8:20, noticed the track was to be groomed which lasted until 9, and the horses and riders came back out on the track promptly at 9 until 10. Several of the riders pulled their horses right up to the fence for observers to pet them. We enjoyed walking back by the barns and watching the horses be brought in. I did expect more information boards and history/training of the horses, but seeing the beautiful animals run and the facility was worth heading over. No crowds at all (paid tours were full, I was not able to book ahead online).

Our tour guide, Mary Perkins-Luketich, was more than just knowledgeable- She was personable. She bent over backwards to accommodate our party of 20. She was terrific at introducing that swarm of newbies to the secrets and mysteries of the world of thoroughbreds. Take this tour, especially if you’ve only seen horses onTV! You’ll probably never drop 7 Figures on a race horse, but your education will be advanced by knowing the intricacies of that High-Stakes hobby. Ask for Mary.

We have been to many racetracks throughout the country and this experience ranks among the very best!
Food and drinks are certainly overpriced. However, the overall experience is phenomenal! Parking (much unlike Churchill Downs) is a breeze and easy!
Cleanliness is paramount!
One of the most interesting things we experienced was when a piece of trash hits the ground it is swept up within minutes! This place is immaculate!
And employees are everywhere, ready and willing to help with a smile!
Great experience! Great horse racing product! We would recommend this racetrack to anyone seeking a fun day at the races!

Top notch operation. Beautiful location and the staff so friendly and professional. We took a morning tour before our raceday visit and it was so helpful for us not being experienced with horse racing. We will definitely be back.

We met Mary Perkins, the Tour Coordinator at Keeneland, and she immediately felt like family. She gave us an unbelievable tour of the entire facility. She knows her stuff! The information, the details, the history... she is a wealth of knowledge. She's friendly, kind and we wanted to take her back to Florida with us. She served as our family photographer and made sure we got some great pictures. :-) Everyone there is kind and welcoming. Keeneland is worth the visit! We got some great items from the gift shop to remember our visit and ate breakfast on site as well!

We stopped by Keenland (early November) and caught the thoroughbred auction. There was no charge for parking or entry, actually the track and main building were ghost towns on this day. We wandered back to the barns where we walked trying to decide what to do until a friendly man in a Visitor Information golf cart saw us. He asked if we wanted a ride and instead told us all about the auction, handed us the auction book and drove us to where the auction house was located. He was super friendly and informative. We then watched the auction from the main rooms for a bit before discovering that there are three plus 'prepping' or 'holding' areas that are all accessible to the public behind the main auction room. We spent half the day watching the horses and guessing how much each would go for. My only two complaints from the visit were 1. the items in the gift show were Disney level expensive and 2. there wasn't much direction on the day we were there on how to locate the day's activities. I'm sure most people who go in off season are regulars and know what theyre doing, but we did have to wander a bit before being helped.

Our family of six (4 kids ages 7-13) arrived at Keeneland a little before 9:00 in the morning to try to catch a morning workout. We were greeted by Mary at the ticket booth with sweet friendliness. I had talked on the phone with Mary a couple of weeks before, and she was very helpful in telling me what she thought the family would enjoy. So we checked in with her just to make sure we weren’t too late to see the horses. She assured us we weren’t, and we proceeded to the gate, had our temperature taken, and then given a sticker to place on our shirts to show we were approved to be on the grounds.
We went to the track and saw a horse or two and then tractors came on and began smoothing out the track. We thought we had just missed most of the activity. We decided to leave the track and check out the rest of the facility. As we exited the track, we came across a Keeneland employee and asked her if we’d missed the morning workout. She was so friendly and explained that since they run so many horses the tractors come in to clean it up for the next group of horses. She checked a schedule on her phone told us the next group would be coming in shortly (around 9:00). So our family returned to the track and got to see plenty of horses doing their thing. Each staff person we visited with was very helpful and very friendly. You can tell they love what they do and love sharing it with others.

We visited Keeneland 2 days before attending the Kentucky Derby, what a special treat. They've already finished their April meet and the next meet won't be until October. At first we were disappointed that we could not be in a guided tour (conflicted with our Claiborne reservation that morning), but when we arrived in the afternoon for our self guided walking tour, we were so glad that we were given so much freedom to roam around!

Not only did we go up and down all around the Grand Stand, club access, private corporate suites!! We go to check out where the governor of Kentucky sits, and the various boxes in that area. We walked the paddock circles, cruised right up to the race track itself. The landscape at Keeneland is pristine!! They were getting ready for a Kentucky Derby watching party on site, a lot of things going on. We enjoyed capturing the row of colorful jockey statues.

The stables were also accessible. We walked right up to the stalls to check out the horses. Very informal. In the end, we drove around over to the Keeneland Library. Do not miss this! Lots of nice art work and history about Keeneland. The librarian was very welcoming. Next to the library is a Keeneland starting gate, super fun for photographs!

We had a blast at Keeneland!

Keeneland is the most Beautiful race track you will find. The atmosphere is amzing, delicious food & drinks and dress from casual to come to impress! This place is a class act & a day of great fun!

Have never attended a horse race before. A friend recommended to come for Spring Fest. Beautiful track, facilities. Found it so interesting. Did a little betting just for fun using the Betologist to help guide me- Win/Place or Show and Exacta. Won on two races! A fun experience! Think I want to come back again!

Mary did our tour and did an excellent job. She was so knowledgeable and showed us all over the racetrack. We even got to see some of the sales that were ongoing.

We were able to attend the thoroughbred horse auction and absolutely loved it. What a great way to get to visit the track and all of those beautiful horses.