If you want to show off Lexington to visitors, the best way is to take them to a horse farm. These multi-million dollar working stud farms are gorgeous, perfectly
manicured and give you up close views of famed race horses. I
scheduled a tour on Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM.
Darley is
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al
Maktoum's global breeding operation which currently stands stallions in six countries around the world. They have 17 stallions at
Jonabell Farm here in Lexington, Kentucky.
The
Sheikh and his wife. He is the crown prince of Dubai.
The trophy room.
Their greatest pride is the The Woodland Vase
— the symbolic trophy that has been given to the winner of the Preakness since 1917. The trophy was designed in 1860 by Tiffany & Co.
Darley's horse
Berndardini won the Preakness Stakes in 2006.
The eleventh and most recent Triple Crown Winner (1978) Affirmed was stabled here at
Jonabell Farm until his death in 2001. He was buried whole—the ultimate honor for a race horse. This monument pays tribute to him.
The stables
Hard Spun:Finished 2
nd at the 2007 Kentucky Derby (lost to Street Sense- both are at
Darley). Took 3rd place in the Preakness Stakes and 4
th place at in the Belmont Stakes.
Holy Bull: Unbeaten as a two year old. Leg injury before Kentucky Derby. Took 12
th place. He is an American Hall of Fame Champion
Thoroughbred racehorse.
2006 Preakness Stakes Winner
Bernardini was foaled on March 23, 2003 at
Darley Stable. A son of A.P. Indy (1992 Horse of the Year).
Medaglia d'Oro- Rachel Alexandra's father. Rachel Alexandra was the 2009 Preakness Winner and Kentucky Oaks Winner. She was sold after the Kentucky Oaks/Derby for $10 million dollars.
Street Sense: 133rd Kentucky Derby Winner (2007)
Street Sense was acquired by
Darley after his Derby victory in June 2007. His father is Street Cry, who is also owned by the
Sheikh. We viewed Street Cry on the tour. Street
Cry's stud fee is $150,000.
This building is where the horses are bred.
Note the padded walls and
shredded tire flooring.
Shoes placed on the mare when she is bred. They are to protect the stallion during the process.
The boys in front of the gates.
A water tower from the 1900's.
Let's just say Brad was impressed. He said if he was ever asked if he died and came back as an animal which would he chose, he'd say a
Thoroughbred race horse. I agree.
We knew the perfect way to spend Matt and Josh's special birthday would be to visit the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky. It is on the banks of the Ohio River and across from the river from Cincinnati. Rich worked a previous holiday, so he used that 'bonus day' for a day off. It was so wonderful to be together.
This was Brad and Jana's first visit to Cincinnati.
Daddy's girl
Brad and Brynn. I think they look very similar.
The BIRTHDAY BOYS!!
Trey feels a horseshoe crab.
The Frog Bog
Jellyfish
The Shark Tubes
Petting sharks
This was my fourth trip to the aquarium, but only Rich's second. The last time he visited it was back in 2001 when I was pregnant with Josh and Matt and we came up with the Alcorns. It was such a treat to have Rich with us. We loved being all together, especially on Matt and Josh's birthday.
Brad and Jana had never been to Cincinnati, so we headed into the city and had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Chili's. 
The birthday boys were excited to celebrate their big day with a delicious feast!
Happy Birthday Josh and Matt! What a way to make your eight birthday memorable!
