A Few Days in Kentucky Horse Country: Harvest Hosts and Spendthrift Farm

Sometimes, you don't need to travel halfway across the country to find adventure. With a family wedding only a few short days away in Louisville, Heather and I decided to turn the occasion into a short Airstream trip through Kentucky horse country. A few days visiting some of the state's famous Thoroughbred farms, a couple of interesting places to stay, and a family celebration seemed like a pretty good way to spend the week.

Day 1 · Thursday, October 15, 2026

Day 1: Harvest Hosts and Spendthrift Farm

Written by Dan

We left home early this morning and headed south, making the three-and-a-half-hour drive into the rolling countryside of central Kentucky. Our destination was F N B Farms, a beautiful 75-acre horse farm operated by Brock and her husband, Jeremy. It's also a Harvest Hosts location, something Heather and I have really come to appreciate during our travels.

For those unfamiliar with Harvest Hosts, it's a membership program that allows self-contained RVers to spend the night at unique locations such as farms, wineries, breweries, museums, and other small businesses. Instead of paying a traditional camping fee, members are encouraged to support their hosts by purchasing products, participating in activities, or making a donation.

We've stayed at several Harvest Hosts locations, and some have turned out to be among our favorite overnight stops. There's something enjoyable about spending the night on a working farm or at a small family-owned business rather than a conventional campground. You get to meet interesting people, experience places you might otherwise never visit, and occasionally discover a few surprises along the way. And getting to F N B Farms was certainly an experience.

A Winding Road to F N B Farms

The farm is located along a narrow, winding country road that requires a little extra attention when you're towing a trailer. And by narrow, I mean a single lane, with plenty of curves and not much room for error.

Now, towing a 33-foot Airstream along a road like that might sound intimidating, especially if you're relatively new to RVing. But it's certainly manageable if you take your time, pay attention to your surroundings, and resist the temptation to hurry. I will admit, though, there were a few stretches where I was hoping we wouldn't meet another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. As luck would have it, we never did, which saved me from finding out just how well I can back the Airstream up a single-lane country road.

A narrow, cracked country road curving past a black fence toward a black barn, with our truck and Airstream parked near it under a blue sky

The road in, with the farm's black barn at the bend. That's our rig parked near the barn, unhitched.

We finally pulled into the farm around 10:30, and the fog was still pretty thick. It didn't lift until later in the day, so the fields, fences, and rolling hills drifted in and out of the mist. After that road, the whole place was wonderfully peaceful.

F N B Farms is a beautiful property with 75 acres of open pasture, wooded areas, and trails. Horses are naturally a big part of life here, but the farm also has a resident emu, which isn't exactly something you expect to encounter when pulling into a campsite.

An emu standing on a patch of grass at the edge of the woods, with a tangle of bare brush behind it — The farm's resident emu.

Two tan dogs on leashes, one in a pink harness and one in a blue harness, watching a dark horse behind a wire fence at a black barn, our truck beyond — Pax and Charlie on guard duty, keeping an eye on the neighbors.

Pax and Charlie were interested in all the strange creatures, and made sure we were safe and sound. I can only imagine the report they filed: one very large dog, unusually tall, would not stop staring back. Threat level unclear. Treats recommended.

Brock and Jeremy offer horseback riding lessons, guided trail rides, and hiking opportunities for visitors who want to spend a little time exploring the property. For anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, this is a wonderful place to spend a night or two.

Of course, we still had to get the Airstream parked. The entrance into the designated parking area is fairly tight, particularly with a trailer our size. It took me a little longer than usual to maneuver everything into position, making a few adjustments along the way to get the angle just right.

Heather has become pretty familiar with this routine. Sometimes getting parked is simple, and other times it requires a little patience and a few extra attempts. This was one of those times. But we eventually got the Airstream exactly where we wanted it, and once everything was settled, we were ready to head out and explore.

Our black truck and silver Airstream parked on gravel, with the Airstream halfway inside a black barn with a quilt-block design, under gray clouds

Our rig right where we wanted it, halfway into the barn to leave room for the other Harvest Hosts guests due that night.

Where: Berry, Kentucky, about an hour north of Lexington
The land: 75 acres of open pasture, wooded areas and trails
Getting in: A single-lane, winding country road, then a fairly tight entrance to the parking area. We towed a 33-foot Airstream in by taking our time.
On the farm: Horseback riding lessons, guided trail rides and hiking, plus a resident emu
Parking: We parked halfway into the barn to leave room for two other Harvest Hosts rigs due that night, a small Class C and a 42-foot bumper-pull.
Hosts: Brock and Jeremy
How we stayed: Free, as a Harvest Hosts stop. We paid about $30 for 50-amp electricity and water, which was worth it in my opinion.

F N B Farms details from our stay and from the farm's public listing. Confirm lessons and availability with the hosts when you book.

Spendthrift Farm: Where Champions Are Born

Our first destination was Spendthrift Farm, located about an hour south of our Harvest Hosts location near Lexington. For anyone who follows Thoroughbred racing, Spendthrift is a familiar name.

Spendthrift is also known for its breeding program, producing and standing stallions whose offspring have gone on to win some of the most prestigious races in the world.

A white-columned house set back among tall old trees on a lawn, with a stone path and clipped shrubs in the foreground under a gray sky — A white-columned house among the old trees at Spendthrift, now the farm's offices.

The word SPENDTHRIFT in black letters on a white wall above a cabinet holding a trophy and a bronze statue of the racehorse Authentic — The Spendthrift name on the wall, with a bronze statue of Authentic and the trophy from his Kentucky Derby win below it.

As we made our way through Spendthrift Farm, one of the buildings that caught my attention was a beautiful white-columned house surrounded by mature trees. With its stately appearance and well-kept grounds, it was exactly the kind of home you'd expect to find on a historic Kentucky horse farm.

The house was once the main residence of the farm's owners, but today it serves a different purpose. When businessman B. Wayne Hughes purchased Spendthrift in 2004, he began an extensive restoration of the property, including converting the aging residence into offices.

Hughes had already made his fortune as the founder of Public Storage, the self-storage company that grew into one of the largest in the world. But Thoroughbred racing was another of his passions, and purchasing Spendthrift gave him an opportunity to restore a farm with an extraordinary history.

Founded in 1937 by Leslie Combs II, Spendthrift had once been among the most respected breeding operations in the country. Legendary horses such as Seattle Slew and Affirmed had stood here, and the farm had been associated with numerous Kentucky Derby winners and influential breeding stallions.

By the time Hughes purchased the property, however, Spendthrift had fallen on difficult times. Financial troubles and years of neglect had taken their toll, leaving several buildings deteriorating and the farm far removed from its former prominence. Hughes was determined to change that.

He invested in restoring the historic buildings, constructing new facilities, and rebuilding the commercial breeding operation. But his vision extended beyond improving the property. He also introduced new ways of doing business, particularly for smaller Thoroughbred breeders who might otherwise have struggled to compete with the industry's larger operations.

One of his most successful ideas was a program called "Share the Upside," which allowed breeders who supported certain young stallions for two consecutive years to earn lifetime breeding rights. The program gave participating breeders an opportunity to benefit from a stallion's future success, rather than leaving those rewards entirely with the farm.

One of the early stallions offered through that program was a relatively unproven young horse named Into Mischief. At the time, few could have predicted just how successful he would become. His initial breeding fee was $12,500, modest compared with today's figures, and attracting mares to a young stallion without an established breeding record wasn't easy. But Into Mischief eventually became one of the most influential sires in modern Thoroughbred history, producing numerous champions and Kentucky Derby winners.

Hughes passed away in 2021 at the age of 87, but his legacy continues through his daughter, Tamara Hughes Gustavson, and her husband, Eric, who carry on the family's involvement with Spendthrift Farm.

Looking around the beautifully maintained property, which our tour guide told us now covers 1,300 acres, it was difficult to picture what Hughes had encountered when he first arrived more than twenty years earlier. The impressive facilities, restored buildings, and carefully maintained grounds reflected the considerable investment and effort that went into rebuilding Spendthrift.

Knowing that history gave me a greater appreciation for what we were seeing. This wasn't simply another famous Kentucky horse farm. It was a place that had experienced tremendous success, endured some difficult years, and eventually found its way back under the guidance of a man who believed in its potential.

And as we were about to discover, one of the most remarkable success stories to come out of that transformation was waiting for us in the stallion barn. His name was Into Mischief.

Into Mischief with his head through the bars of his stall door, above a brass nameplate reading Into Mischief, 2005, Harlan's Holiday, Leslie's Lady — Into Mischief at his stall door. The nameplate lists his birth year, 2005, and his parents, Harlan's Holiday and Leslie's Lady.

Even if you don't follow horse racing, his accomplishments are worth appreciating. Born in 2005, Into Mischief enjoyed a successful racing career before retiring to stud at Spendthrift Farm. Over the years, he has become one of the most influential Thoroughbred stallions in modern racing history..

Among his offspring are three Kentucky Derby winners: Authentic in 2020, Mandaloun in 2021, and Sovereignty in 2025. He has also sired numerous other champions and Grade 1 winners, earning seven consecutive North American leading sire titles through 2025.

His breeding fee for 2026 was set at an astonishing $250,000. That's right, a quarter of a million dollars, and that's for one successful breeding. It's remarkable to think about the value of these animals and the years of careful breeding, training, and dedication that go into producing a champion.

Our visit included two separate tours, the Mare and Foal Tour and the Stallion Tour. The Mare and Foal Tour gave us a chance to learn about the breeding side of the operation, where the next generation of potential champions begins its life. There was something appealing about seeing these young horses before anyone knew what their futures might hold. Some may eventually become successful racehorses, while others will contribute to the breeding programs that keep the industry moving forward.

An open-sided tour vehicle with a canopy and bench seats on a paved farm lane beside a black board fence, under dark storm clouds

The open-air tour vehicle on the farm lane.

Two young foals grazing in a green pasture beside a long black board fence, one walking toward the camera — Foals in the pasture at Spendthrift.

A young chestnut foal with white socks standing at a black board fence, looking at the camera, with a tree-lined farm road behind — A chestnut foal at the fence.

Three newly weaned foals, brown and chestnut, with their heads over a weathered black board fence, one with a white blaze, under a stormy sky — Three newly weaned foals, curious faces at the fence.

Heather in a pink shirt and visor reaching over a black board fence to pet a young brown horse in a halter, with green pasture and gray sky behind — Heather petting one of the foals.

The Stallion Tour offered a different perspective, focusing on the accomplished horses whose racing careers had already earned them a place in the breeding barn.

A bay stallion with white socks standing on a paved courtyard beside his handler, in front of a white stable with arched openings and a cupola — A stallion and his handler in front of the stable.

A bronze statue of a handler leading a horse on a granite base, among dark red-leaved plants, in front of a white stable with a cupola — The statue of Nashua, who won the Preakness and the Belmont and later stood at Spendthrift.

What makes visiting a working Thoroughbred farm interesting is the opportunity to appreciate how much goes on behind the scenes. We tend to see the excitement of the Kentucky Derby, the cheering crowds, and the horses crossing the finish line. But long before any of that happens, years of planning, breeding, training, and hard work have already taken place. Even for someone who isn't deeply involved in horse racing, it's a fascinating industry to learn about.

Where: 884 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, Kentucky, at the B. Wayne Hughes Visitor Center
The farm: About 1,300 acres, according to our tour guide
Tours: A Shuttle Tour for the mares and foals, a Stallion Tour, a Package Tour for both and a Combo Tour
What we took: The mare-and-foal tour and the stallion tour, each $40 per person and about an hour long
Booking: Call 859-294-0030 or 888-816-8787, or send a message through the farm's website
Prices and times: Not listed on the farm's visit page, so confirm when you book. The $40 per person above is what we paid in October 2026.
More info: spendthriftfarm.com

Spendthrift Farm, 884 Iron Works Pike, Lexington Open the full map Get directions

Tour names and contact details from Spendthrift Farm's visit page, checked October 15, 2026. The page does not list prices or tour times.

Background on B. Wayne Hughes and the farm from Thoroughbred Daily News, the Kentucky HBPA and Spendthrift's Share the Upside page. Into Mischief's initial fee is from Spendthrift's general manager, as reported by WKYT. The acreage is from our tour guide.

Back to the Farm

After completing both tours, we headed back to F N B Farms, where Heather's sister, Becky, who joined us on this trip, had arranged a private horseback riding lesson. It seemed like a fitting way to finish a day devoted to horses.

Brock in a red top steadies a palomino while a rider in a white helmet stands on a mounting block at a fence, with a second palomino nearby — Brock, our Harvest Hosts host, steadies the horse while Heather's sister, Becky, gets ready for her private riding lesson.

A rider in a light blue shirt and white helmet on a palomino horse in a grassy field, with Brock in a red top standing at the horse's head — Heather's sister, Becky, on the horse with Brock, our Harvest Hosts host, who gave the lesson.

We had spent the afternoon learning about some of the most valuable Thoroughbreds in the world, and now we were back at a small family-operated farm where visitors could enjoy a much more personal experience with these animals.

That's one of the things I've come to enjoy about visiting places like this. The large, historic farms are impressive, but there's also something special about smaller operations where the owners are directly involved in the day-to-day activities.

And after spending most of the day on the move, it was nice to return to a place where the only real distractions were the horses, the surrounding countryside, and perhaps an occasional visit from the resident emu. Not a bad way to spend our first day in Kentucky.

Stay at F N B Farms: Free, as a Harvest Hosts location
Electricity and water: About $30 for 50-amp electricity and water. Worth it in my opinion.
Riding lesson: $45 for a private 45-minute lesson. Heather's sister, Becky, gave our host, Brock, an even $50.
Spendthrift tours: $40 per person for each tour, the Mare and Foal Tour and the Stallion Tour, about an hour each

What we paid on October 15, 2026. Harvest Hosts stays are free, but it's always recommended that you patronize the host's business in any way you can.

Tomorrow: A Date with History

Tomorrow, we're heading to another of Kentucky's legendary Thoroughbred operations, Claiborne Farm, near Paris.

Founded in 1910, Claiborne has been associated with some of the greatest names in American racing. But the horse I'm particularly interested in learning more about is Secretariat.

For anyone familiar with horse racing, Secretariat needs little introduction. His extraordinary 1973 Triple Crown campaign remains one of the most celebrated accomplishments in the sport. His 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes is still remarkable more than half a century later.

Secretariat spent his retirement at Claiborne Farm, where he died in 1989 and was laid to rest. Tomorrow, we'll have an opportunity to visit the farm and see the final resting place of one of the most famous racehorses of all time. I'm looking forward to that.

Where: 703 Winchester Road, Paris, Kentucky
Stallion tour: A walking tour of about 60 minutes. $20 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under, daily at 10 am and 11 am.
All-farm shuttle: $30 per person, Wednesdays and Fridays from April through October at 1 pm, covering the broodmare and foaling division in 90 to 120 minutes
Booking: Reservations are required. Book online at claibornefarm.com/visit or call (859) 987-2330.
Good to know: No pets and no picnic area. Check in at the visitor center at least 5 minutes before your tour.
More info: claibornefarm.com/visit

Tour details from Claiborne Farm's visit page, checked October 15, 2026. The farm notes that peak pricing may apply and lists closures for holidays and sales weeks, so check before you go.

After our visit, we'll return to F N B Farms, hitch up the Airstream, and begin making our way north toward Louisville.

We'll be staying at another horse farm through Harvest Hosts for the next few days, but this time the main attraction won't be the horses. Our oldest son is getting married. And while the farms and famous Thoroughbreds have made for an enjoyable start to our trip, celebrating that occasion with family will certainly be the highlight of the week.

For now, we've had a wonderful first day exploring Kentucky horse country, discovered another interesting Harvest Hosts location, and managed to squeeze our 33-foot Airstream into a parking spot that initially looked a little questionable. I'd call that a pretty successful day. And we still have plenty to look forward to.

Kentucky Horse Country FAQ

What is Harvest Hosts?
Harvest Hosts is a membership program that allows self-contained RVers to spend the night at unique locations such as farms, wineries, breweries, museums, and other small businesses. Instead of paying a traditional camping fee, members are encouraged to support their hosts by purchasing products, participating in activities, or making a donation.

What is the road to F N B Farms like with a trailer?
It's a narrow, winding country road, effectively a single lane with plenty of curves and not much room for error. We towed our 33-foot Airstream in without trouble by taking our time, though the entrance to the parking area is also fairly tight.

What tours did we take at Spendthrift Farm?
We took two tours at Spendthrift Farm: the Mare and Foal Tour, which covers the breeding side of the operation and the young horses, and the Stallion Tour, which focuses on the accomplished horses whose racing careers earned them a place in the breeding barn.

How much does Into Mischief's breeding fee cost?
Spendthrift Farm set Into Mischief's breeding fee for 2026 at $250,000.

Who owns Spendthrift Farm?
B. Wayne Hughes, the founder of Public Storage, bought Spendthrift Farm in 2004 and rebuilt it as a commercial breeding operation. He died in 2021, and the farm is now led by his daughter Tamara and her husband, Eric Gustavson.

How big is Spendthrift Farm?
Our tour guide told us Spendthrift Farm is now 1,300 acres.

How do you book a tour at Spendthrift Farm?
Spendthrift Farm offers a Shuttle Tour for the mares and foals, a Stallion Tour, a Package Tour for both and a Combo Tour. Its website says to book by sending a message through the site or by calling 859-294-0030 (toll free 888-816-8787). The farm is at 884 Iron Works Pike in Lexington, Kentucky.

Do you need a reservation to tour Claiborne Farm?
Yes. Claiborne Farm requires reservations, which you can make online at claibornefarm.com/visit or by calling (859) 987-2330. As of October 2026 its website lists the walking stallion tour at $20 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under, daily at 10 am and 11 am, and pets are not allowed. Prices and schedules change, so check the farm's site.

How much does it cost to stay at F N B Farms?
Staying at F N B Farms is free because it's a Harvest Hosts location, though supporting the host is always recommended. We paid about $30 for 50-amp electricity and water, and a private 45-minute horseback lesson was $45.

How much are the tours at Spendthrift Farm?
We paid $40 per person for each of our two tours, the Mare and Foal Tour and the Stallion Tour, and each lasted about an hour. The farm's visit page doesn't list prices, so confirm when you book.

What is there to do at F N B Farms in Berry, Kentucky?
F N B Farms is a 75-acre horse farm with open pasture, wooded areas, and trails. The hosts, Brock and Jeremy, offer horseback riding lessons, guided trail rides, and hiking, and the farm has a resident emu.

A Few Days inKentucky Horse Country.