Three Chimneys Farm

Three Chimneys Farm began with a dream, a plan and 100 acres of undeveloped land in 1972. Today it incorporates 1,500 acres in six divisions, four of which are devoted to mares and foals, one to yearlings and one is home to 12 world class stallions.

The stallion division was created in 1984. The first stallion to stand was champion Slew o' Gold in 1985, soon followed by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. The owner Robert Clay decided to limit the number of stallion, which was unique at the time. His philosophy was to create farm where "The Idea is Excellence." Back in 2008, after a huge dark brown thoroughbred race horse aptly named Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness it was reported that we would become a stud after that season of racing and would make his home at Three Chimneys Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. This was very exciting because that also was the home of famed near Triple Crown winner Smarty Jones. I knew then and there that I had to visit that farm before we left the Bluegrass.

With family coming out this past July for Josh and Matt's baptisms, I emailed the farm and tried to book a tour, but all were full. They advised me try again, but stated that you often need to book the tour up to three months in advance and six months in advance around Derby. They only have one tour a day and only allow around 25 people per tour. This makes it a challenge to get in.

I was disappointed, but still set on going. Then my mom planned her visit to come and see the baby. It was six weeks away and there would only be me, the girls and her. I emailed them again and secured a place for us on Friday, September 4th. I thrilled to see these famous horses I had closely followed during their racing careers.The tour guide called Three Chimneys Farm, "The farm that Seattle Slew made." Seattle Slew won the triple crown in 1977 and was as stud on the farm for seventeen years. The breeding barnThe wood work on the ceilings were gorgeous. This is Smarty Jones and Big Brown's barn. Smarty Jones' stall once belonged to Seattle Slew.Smarty Jones. History will remember this horse as one of the all time greatest. He is one of just three undefeated Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners. After his first two victories in the 2004 racing year, he was the first horse in 26 years to have the chance to bring home the elusive Triple Crown. He was ahead for nearly all of the Belmont, but was passed during the final furlong for a heartbreaking second place finish. He earned $7.6 million in race earnings.

(Note that the hair color on their leg/ankle determines what color hoof they have. White hair equals a white hoof. Brown or black hair equals a black hoof.) The long strip of metal near his jaw reads: Smarty Jones.Big Brown. Seeing Big Brown was special because he is the horse that won the Kentucky Derby in 2008 when Rich and I were in attendance. We saw his victory with our own eyes. He the first horse since 1915 to win the Derby with only three career starts. He is the only horse to have won the Derby from post 20 (far outside right). He also won The Preakness. He retired with 7 wins out of 8 starts and earned $ 3.6 million dollars in race winnings.

(Note the small patch of white on his body above his front left leg. This is very rare for thoroughbred to have white anywhere but on their heads and lower legs. The farm uses this as a marketing tool and sews a white patch on the brown hats they sale that say Big Brown.) He stands 16.1 hands and 2009 was his first year of breeding. Smarty Jones headed to his pasture.This is Dynaformer. He has Three Chimneys most expensive stud fee ($150,000 for a live colt that stands and nurses) and he is MEAN! He has bitten off a finger of three different handlers. They said his angry demeanor is often passed down to his offspring, and many of them have to be gelded to temper them. He is the father of Barabaro. (2006 Kentucky Derby winner that shattered his leg while running the Preakness and was eventually euthanized.) You can see how bent the bars are on Dynamformer's door. He's not a very nice horse.I loved visiting the farm with mom and was very happy the girls were well behaved and I LOVED seeing the horses. It was a must do on my check list of Kentucky places.